There is a strong but unreliable view that immigration is a marginal and recent phenomenon. In fact, immigrants and refugees have come to Britain throughout its recorded history. In this book, first published in 1988, Colin Holmes looks at this period in depth and asks: who were the newcomers and why were they coming? What were the distinctive features of their economic and social lives in Britain? How did British society respond to their presence? The resulting book is a major historical survey of immigration which synthesises and evaluates existing work and weaves in new material on a wide range of immigrant minorities.

"John Bull's Other Island" by George Bernard Shaw is a satirical comedy that offers a sharp critique of British imperialism and Irish identity. Set in Ireland, the play follows the character of Tom Broadbent, a British engineer who arrives in the country with plans to exploit its resources for profit. Through Tom's interactions with the locals, including his childhood friend Larry Doyle, Shaw explores the tensions between British colonialism and Irish nationalism. The play's witty dialogue and clever wordplay highlight the absurdities of imperialism and the clash of cultures between England and Ireland. "John Bull's Other Island" is a thought-provoking and entertaining work that challenges conventional attitudes towards colonialism and national identity, showcasing Shaw's skill as a playwright and social commentator.

"John Bull's Other Island" is an entertaining comedy about Ireland. It revolves around Larry Doyle, originally from Ireland, who has adopted English cultural customs and manners to fit in in England. Moreover, it has another engaging character Tom Broadbent, who is Doyle's English business partner. They are civil engineers who run a firm in London. The adventure begins when the pair goes to Roscullen, where Doyle was born, to acquire some land.