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Britain: A Genetic Journey
Hidden inside all of us - every human being on Earth - is the story of our ancestry. Printed on our DNA are the origins of our lineages, the time in history and prehistory when they arose, and the epic journeys people have made across the globe. Based on exciting new research involving the most wide-ranging sampling of DNA ever made in Britain, Alistair Moffat, author of the bestselling The Scots: A Genetic Journey, shows how all of us who live on these islands are immigrants. The last ice age erased any trace of more ancient inhabitants, and the ancestors of everyone who now lives in Britain came here after the glaciers retreated and the land greened once more. In an epic narrative, sometimes moving, sometimes astonishing, always revealing, Moffat writes an entirely new history of Britain. Instead of the usual parade of the usual suspects - kings, queens, saints, warriors and the notorious - this is a people's history, a narrative made from stories only DNA can tell which offers insights into who we are and where we come from.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2013
27 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Alistair Moffat
58 books211 followersAlistair Moffat is an award winning writer, historian and former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television.
Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He is the founder of the Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He is the founder of the Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 1, 2018
What a relief to finish this book. Hardly ever have I been so overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time. Genetic journey? Marathon, more like – and I felt I was on it, every step of the way.
Paradoxically, as my friends would tell you, this is my pet subject – indeed The British: A Genetic Journey was a Christmas present from very good friends.
So what went wrong?
It was around the 100-page mark that I began to ask myself: “Is it just me – or is there something I am not getting?”
I took a pace back, and analysed the description that had finally brought me to a halt. When I counted, I realised it contained 43 facts. Yes – 43 facts – in one paragraph.
A quote from Scotland’s greatest wordsmith, Sir Walter Scott: the writer should have due regard for “the time and patience of the audience”.
I began to extrapolate. I arrived at the conclusion that the book possibly contains 33,540 facts.
A minute-by-minute account of who invaded where, what and when, whom they impregnated, whom they enslaved, whom they slayed – century after century, millennium after millennium.
I studied genetics – I wasn’t fazed by talk of mutations and markers and mitochondrial DNA – indeed, I would have liked more of this.
But – oh – for some maps, and charts, and diagrams, and sub-headings, and bullet-points! Oh, how much easier it would be to navigate.
Instead I staggered across the finishing line wondering what it was all about – exhausted – still needing directions – and the steward with the flag telling me I can’t get there from here!
Paradoxically, as my friends would tell you, this is my pet subject – indeed The British: A Genetic Journey was a Christmas present from very good friends.
So what went wrong?
It was around the 100-page mark that I began to ask myself: “Is it just me – or is there something I am not getting?”
I took a pace back, and analysed the description that had finally brought me to a halt. When I counted, I realised it contained 43 facts. Yes – 43 facts – in one paragraph.
A quote from Scotland’s greatest wordsmith, Sir Walter Scott: the writer should have due regard for “the time and patience of the audience”.
I began to extrapolate. I arrived at the conclusion that the book possibly contains 33,540 facts.
A minute-by-minute account of who invaded where, what and when, whom they impregnated, whom they enslaved, whom they slayed – century after century, millennium after millennium.
I studied genetics – I wasn’t fazed by talk of mutations and markers and mitochondrial DNA – indeed, I would have liked more of this.
But – oh – for some maps, and charts, and diagrams, and sub-headings, and bullet-points! Oh, how much easier it would be to navigate.
Instead I staggered across the finishing line wondering what it was all about – exhausted – still needing directions – and the steward with the flag telling me I can’t get there from here!
February 8, 2014
I generally enjoy Alistair Moffat's non-fiction writing (I don't know if he's written any fiction), although I don't agree with his outlook on the Arthurian legends (which he even manages to slot in here). It's very much popular science, or that's how it feels with the inserted text boxes of "interesting facts", but the level isn't really "complete beginner". I mean, it talks about mapping population movements via comparing particular unique markers, which must mean single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but it doesn't really contextualise that much. To me, my classes in genetics and anthropology contemplated this really well. It also talks about mitochondrial DNA and things like that, again without much explanation.
It starts off being general, rather than really a genetic history of the British, because of course, it goes back to the last common ancestors of mankind. It narrows down later on, looking at the various different inflows of new DNA, e.g. to what extent the Romans or the Normans mixed with the people already in Britain. What I was more interested in was the discussion of how Britain's population got there. I didn't know, for example, about the land that joined Britain to mainland Europe at one time, Doggerland, so all of that was new to me.
All in all, it didn't give me many surprises, but it's pretty up to date (includes stuff about recentish finds like the Denisovans) and, for the British population, pretty comprehensive. I'd have liked a little more about the separate populations of Britain: there are genetic differences, generally, between Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English people, and I'd have been interested to know more about how those groups formed and remained intact.
It starts off being general, rather than really a genetic history of the British, because of course, it goes back to the last common ancestors of mankind. It narrows down later on, looking at the various different inflows of new DNA, e.g. to what extent the Romans or the Normans mixed with the people already in Britain. What I was more interested in was the discussion of how Britain's population got there. I didn't know, for example, about the land that joined Britain to mainland Europe at one time, Doggerland, so all of that was new to me.
All in all, it didn't give me many surprises, but it's pretty up to date (includes stuff about recentish finds like the Denisovans) and, for the British population, pretty comprehensive. I'd have liked a little more about the separate populations of Britain: there are genetic differences, generally, between Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English people, and I'd have been interested to know more about how those groups formed and remained intact.
July 31, 2014
Really enjoyed this, well written and at just the right level for me. I don't understand the lack of maps, charts, diagrams etc. A book like this calls out for them imho.
July 16, 2019
Loved the prehistoric to Norman stuff, less enthused by what followed but still a brilliant book.
September 4, 2021
This book definitely has its heart in the right place. Unfortunately I found many factual errors in the archaeological bits, which makes me wonder about the reliability of the bits about DNA. And in fact large parts of the book aren't about DNA at all but straight history with a curious mix of new ideas and traditional stuff. I am still looking for a good layman's guide to the mechanics of DNA research.
July 18, 2022
This book tries to cover the genetic history of Britain from too many angles. I found it hard to follow. A rehashed history of British immigration from prehistoric to present, often only barely touching on genetics or if it does, the genetics gets lost in the history rehash. Plus it tries to get into Royal genetics in a way which is also hard to follow. Victoria, Prince William, huh? The idea is very interesting to me but I came away only barely more knowledgeable than I went in.
September 7, 2018
Well written as is usual with Moffat. Some controversial claims but generally well researched.
February 28, 2017
I've given this four stars because it contains some fascinating information, but I must say it tails off at the end when dealing with modern times, which is disappointing.
November 3, 2018
This book is a must read - it weaves DNA research and history (prehistoric through to the present day) very cleverly. It explains some things about the ‘British’ character- all using scientific evidence. I learned an awful lot! It really does confirm what we should already know that we are a Mongrel Nation, we always have been and we always will be! Don’t waste your money on one of those fashionable DNA tests to find out who you are and where you came from, read this instead! Hard scientific evidence written in the most accessible and engaging way! This should have been compulsory reading for everyone prior to the Brexit referendum.
February 28, 2014
If genetic diversity is our population's best defence against disease then the British Isles should remain safe from future pandemics. A fascinating whistle-stop tour of British history punctuated by many individual stories dictated by the evidence of male (Y-chromosome) and female (mitochondrial DNA) lineages. The advice seems to be that in order for your DNA to live on, be fruitful. I may be wrong but the book suggests Bonnie Prince Charlie was from Devon and Ghenghis Khan is Prince Philip's uncle or something. Can't argue with genetic fingerprints m'lud.
February 26, 2014
If you have British ancestors, or you are interested in the history of the people who have made their home in the British Isles, this is a fascinating story of their arrival into the country. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the finds made in Doggerland and the early origins of mankind traced on the walls of caves.
April 1, 2014
An entertaining jaunt through British and (for the prehistoric part) European history, with added genetic detailing. The proliferation of catastrophic events in the fairly recent past should have finally put paid to uniformitarianism as an article of historical belief, with the draining of Lake Agassiz a new addition to my knowledge. Moffat writes with his customary clarity and verve.
April 23, 2015
Readable history of the British Isles, which encompasses the latest DNA findings and archaeology. Fascinating.
December 14, 2025
Turns out your ancestors were everyone’s neighbors—and no, that Viking tattoo doesn’t make you special.
April 9, 2023
Well written. Accuracy is unclear as not referenced.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews