The Story of the British Isles in 100..., Neil Oliver
The Story of the British Isles in 100..., Neil Oliver
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The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places

Author: Neil Oliver

Narrator: Neil Oliver

Unabridged: 14 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/20/2018


Synopsis

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places written and read by Neil Oliver.

The British Isles, this archipelago of islands, is to Neil Oliver the best place in the world. From north to south, east to west it cradles astonishing beauty. The human story here is a million years old, and counting. But the tolerant, easygoing peace we enjoy has been hard won. We have made and known the best and worst of times. We have been hero and villain and all else in between, and we have learned some lessons.

The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places is Neil’s very personal account of what makes these islands so special, told through the places that have witnessed the unfolding of our history. Beginning with footprints made in the sand by humankind’s earliest ancestors, he takes us via Romans and Vikings, the flowering of religion, through civil war, industrial revolution and two world wars. From windswept headlands to battlefields, ancient trees to magnificent cathedrals, each of his destinations is a place where, somehow, the spirit of the past seems to linger. Beautifully written, his book is majestic, awe-inspiring, a kaleidoscopic history of a place with a story like no other.

About Neil Oliver

Neil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster, and writer. He is perhaps best known as the charismatic presenter of the award-winning documentary series Coast, as well as his two critically acclaimed landmark BBC history series, A History of Scotland and A History of Ancient Britain. He lives in Scotland.


Reviews

Goodreads review by AnnaG on September 16, 2018

This is a superb book, which the title really doesn't do justice to. It's laid out as 100 stories each about a place in the British Isles, ordered chronologically so that the narrative takes you through the history of the islands. The blurb and quotes on the cover suggest that this is going to be a......more

Goodreads review by Otherwyrld on December 30, 2018

It is always difficult to review this kind of book by its very nature as a personal selection of something, whether it is 100 places, people or things. Likewise people may all agree on some selections but not on others, and never on all. The quality of the selection depends on the qualifications of......more

Goodreads review by Richard on August 13, 2019

I really enjoyed this - a great review of 100 places that all form part of the history of the British Isles. A great mix, Orkney through to Channel Isles - and some wonderful insights and anecdotes - and it goes to show that you can have love where you are from without resorting to flag waving natio......more

Goodreads review by Laurence on June 18, 2019

Not all locations are going to special to everyone, and there are a lot that are missing, but overall this was an enjoyable and insightful read. There were pockets here and there that were truly eye opening (more were killed in the training for the Utah beach landing than in the actual event on dday......more

Goodreads review by Steve on September 19, 2021

I absolutely loved this book. It could have been a dip in and out kind of book, but I was enjoying it so much I just kept reading. It's roughly chronological, and each chapter distinct, but there's a little crossover in some where relevant. Neil Oliver writes as he talks. The prose is beautiful, and......more


Quotes

A collection of highly crafted historical-archaeological microessays, each centred on a significant place in Britain or Ireland. Few popular history books are as pleasingly tactile as this one..a vivid, pungent history TLS

This book brilliantly demonstrates Neil's mastery of the broad sweep of British history and landscape.

In his introduction Neil Oliver calls the British ‘a lucky, blessed people’, and his book holds up a mirror to that national self-image. Oliver’s timeline journey travels from prehistoric footprints off the Norfolk coast to the Ozymandias folly of the Millennium Dome, from a tiny, exquisite jewel crafted for King Alfred the Great to great enigmatic stone forts in the West of Ireland that are being eaten by the sea. Stories we have been telling ourselves for thousands of years are falling on deaf ears or being forgotten, says Oliver. Here in a hundred fascinating doses is the antidote to that millennial malaise.

Neil Oliver brings his vast experience and expertise to bear on this deeply personal journey into British history - a wonderful read.

A book of compelling stories. Mail on Sunday

Everyone should have two copies – one for the car and one for the house to plan journeys. It’s a robust rebuke to the satnav – a reminder to think more about the places you pass and less about your route, because every British journey is through rich history.

A wonderfully engaging tour of Britain and Ireland from the much loved television historian. Books Are My Bag