In The Land Of Giants

Description

The five centuries between the end of Roman Britain (410) and the death of Alfred the Great (899) have left few voices save a handful of chroniclers, but Britain's 'Dark Ages' can still be explored through their material remnants: buildings, books, metalwork, and, above all, landscapes. Max Adams explores Britain's lost early medieval past by walking its paths and exploring its lasting imprint on valley, hill and field. From York to Whitby, from London to Sutton Hoo, from Edinburgh to Anglesey and from Hadrian's Wall to Loch Tay, each of his ten walk narratives form both free-standing chapters and parts of a wider portrait of a Britain of fort and fyrd, crypt and crannog, church and causeway, holy well and memorial stone. Part travelogue, part expert reconstruction, IN THE LAND OF GIANTS offers a beautifully written insight into the lives of peasants, drengs, ceorls, thanes, monks and kings during an enigmatic but richly exciting period of our island's history.

Reviews

'Great archaeological knowledge, an inquisitive mind and vivid descriptions of the natural and manmade landscape come together in this erudite travelogue' The Lady. 'A personal travelogue interspersed with historical references, Adams comes alive when he deals with history and topography. Very well illustrated, with helpful maps, best for independent travellers who want to do their own exploring' The Tablet. 'Offers many pointed lessons - not least that history ought to play a central role in our culture and education ... This book reminds us too that we hold a collective title deed to the land itself. It connects us to our past and our present and to ourselves; and we sever this connection at our peril' Irish Times.

Author description

Max Adams is the author of ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD (2005), THE PROMETHEANS (2009) and the bestselling THE KING IN THE NORTH (2013). A university teacher, Max has lived and worked in the North-East of England since 1993.