London, 1772: a young artist called Thomas Rowlandson is making his way through the grimy backstreets of the capital, on his way to begin his studies at the Royal Academy Schools. Within a few years, James Gillray and Isaac Cruikshank would join him in Piccadilly, turning satire into an artform, taking on the British establishment, and forever changing the way we view power.

In this witty history, award-winning writer and broadcaster Alice Loxton delves into Britain’s past, exploring the country through eighteen inspiring figures at the formative age of eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor facing deadly intrigue at court to Empress Matilda already changing the fate of nations, Eighteen invites readers to join an eclectic cast of young Britons across the nation and throughout its history.