Reddit reviews An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: Or 2000 Years of Upper-Class Idiots in Charge. John O'Farrell

In An Utterly Impartial History of Britain by John O'Farrrell, the claim is made that the UK used up 30% of all resources to carry out the bombing campaign but only destroyed around 10% of Nazi capability. Therefore, if the RAF hadn't dropped any bombs on Germany at all, Britain would have been in a better position in terms of battlefield effectiveness.

However, as O'Farrell points out, try telling that to the young mother in the east end of London who's just lost her three-year-old to a Nazi bomb.

Bit more credible (and off-topic). Can't remember exactly what they were called but the RAF had a unit called the "Field Research Unit" (or some-such) whose job it was to inspect the battlefield afterwards to see how effective the fighter bombers had been. The actual damage done fell far, far short of pilot's claims. They (the bombers) were still effective as a psychological weapon though - the opposing troops ran like hell on sight! This is all in Antony Beevor's excellent D-Day.

You could give this a go. While you won't exactly split your sides the irreverent tone makes it much more readable than, say, Simon Schama.

It's not precisely what you're looking for, but I really enjoyed

An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: (or 2000 Years Of Upper Class Idiots In Charge)

It's pretty thin and easy-going so could complement quite well whichever book on the monarchy you end up reading.

[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Utterly-Impartial-History-Britain-Idiots/dp/0552773964] this [http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0552775460/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/278-3557749-8028067?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=0B0PBPP4W9T56CBB8HZW&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_i=0552773964](and this.) Both fantastic books on British History, blending humour with history, in a good way.
*messed up the linkage but i'm tired ok!

This is a bit like the Bryson suggestion for UK history.