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Echolands: A Journey in Search of Boudica
Almost 2000 years ago, Boudica led the greatest rebellion Britain has ever seen. Within the space of a single blood-soaked year, she united the tribes to deliver blow after devastating blow to the Roman regime, culminating in a brutal, decisive battle.
Archaeologist Duncan Mackay has spent a lifetime on the trail of Boudica. Beginning near his home in Norfolk, in the heart of Boudica's tribal territory, he embarks on a journey in the footsteps of Romans and Britons, exploring their villages, towns, forts and roads. The passage of two millennia has buried the world that Boudica knew, but Duncan finds that its echoes and physical traces still surround us - as long as you know where to look. The armies marched along the roads we still use, and died in their thousands in towns, cities and countryside where we still live today. The site of Boudica's last battle was long believed be lost to time, but the threads of the story all pull towards one remarkable, forgotten little corner of the English landscape.
From the Breckland of Norfolk to the back streets of Colchester, from the remotest corner of Anglesey to the depths of the London Underground, Duncan takes us back two thousand years to retell the story of Britain's bloodiest year. Fusing ancient history, modern excavation, landscape exploration, and vivid reconstruction, Echolands weaves the long-lost tapestry of Boudica's war.
Archaeologist Duncan Mackay has spent a lifetime on the trail of Boudica. Beginning near his home in Norfolk, in the heart of Boudica's tribal territory, he embarks on a journey in the footsteps of Romans and Britons, exploring their villages, towns, forts and roads. The passage of two millennia has buried the world that Boudica knew, but Duncan finds that its echoes and physical traces still surround us - as long as you know where to look. The armies marched along the roads we still use, and died in their thousands in towns, cities and countryside where we still live today. The site of Boudica's last battle was long believed be lost to time, but the threads of the story all pull towards one remarkable, forgotten little corner of the English landscape.
From the Breckland of Norfolk to the back streets of Colchester, from the remotest corner of Anglesey to the depths of the London Underground, Duncan takes us back two thousand years to retell the story of Britain's bloodiest year. Fusing ancient history, modern excavation, landscape exploration, and vivid reconstruction, Echolands weaves the long-lost tapestry of Boudica's war.
366 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 18, 2023
One of the small details I appreciated in Duncan Mackay's lyrical narrative history, attempting to trace the steps of Boudican revolt of 60AD in contemporary Britain, is that the author adopts a first-person perspective and puts himself in the shoes of the individuals of the time - literally, at one point, when he retraces the steps of a Roman legionary while wearing a pair of the open-toe infantry boots, the Caligae, marching past Costa Coffees and betting shops on aching feet, all the while trying to conjure the landscape and the atmosphere of 1st Century East Anglia.
Reading this straight after a biography (of sorts) of Oliver Cromwell, which was a perfectly fine if conventional historical account of events and dates, this, in addition to being a thorough and informed depiction of blood-soaked tribal Britannia under the hobnail-sandal of the Roman occupation, endeavours to provide insight into the perspectives of the Britons and Romans of 2,000 years ago based on the fragmentary pieces they left behind, which is more of what I'm looking for in history books.
Reading this straight after a biography (of sorts) of Oliver Cromwell, which was a perfectly fine if conventional historical account of events and dates, this, in addition to being a thorough and informed depiction of blood-soaked tribal Britannia under the hobnail-sandal of the Roman occupation, endeavours to provide insight into the perspectives of the Britons and Romans of 2,000 years ago based on the fragmentary pieces they left behind, which is more of what I'm looking for in history books.
August 16, 2023
An absolutely fascinating account of Boudica's rebellion against the Roman occupation of Britain, told through the archaeological sites that saw definite bloodshed (chiefly in and around Colchester and London) as well as potential sites as Mackay attempts to track down the elusive battlefield where Boudica made her last stand. The way Mackay writes is captivating and so visceral. Anyone who loves history is bound to be enthralled - he brings it to life in your hands.
April 30, 2023
During the early Roman Empire a queen of the Brits called Boudica led a rebellion against the Roman occupation of Britain.
The author, an archeologist, spent a lifetime searching for any Echos of Boudica and her rebellion.
Was a good read. Was basically an archeological travelog, following in the footsteps of Boudica and the Roman legions.
The author, an archeologist, spent a lifetime searching for any Echos of Boudica and her rebellion.
Was a good read. Was basically an archeological travelog, following in the footsteps of Boudica and the Roman legions.
September 24, 2025
Echolands looks to solve the problem of limited narrative sources by getting out touching grass. And rocks. And coins. Mackay being an archaeologist allows him to have an eye for detail and an instinctive access to the discussions (along having been involved in the debates, such as the location of the Battle of Watling Street).
Having Tacitus and Dio is still immensely helpful but Mackay does not slavishly follow them, nor is he Roman friendly. Great insights into the era.
Having Tacitus and Dio is still immensely helpful but Mackay does not slavishly follow them, nor is he Roman friendly. Great insights into the era.
January 12, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. Particularly the archeological focus.
May 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this journey through the traces of Boudica in the British landscape.
I thought I knew the story of Boudica, but this book makes it real on a human scale. Duncan Mackay is so good at seeing past the modern view and imagining the hidden past histories. It was this wonder at previous lives and events that first drew me into history and archaeology, and now I want to visit all the places described and imagine them for myself. The writing reminds me of the landscape descriptions of Robert Macfarland and his musical collaboration with Johnny Flynn.
The horror of what happened on both sides is hard to imagine. Mackay's comparisons to the aftermath of events in the first world war are evocative and moving, although Towton in the War of the Roses seems a better comparison for large scale carnage on home soil and the starvation and dislocation that must follow the loss of so many local people.
It's always the sign of a good history book when I finish it and start looking at the bibliography for further reading. Time to dig out my old copy of Tacitus and head to Colchester!
I thought I knew the story of Boudica, but this book makes it real on a human scale. Duncan Mackay is so good at seeing past the modern view and imagining the hidden past histories. It was this wonder at previous lives and events that first drew me into history and archaeology, and now I want to visit all the places described and imagine them for myself. The writing reminds me of the landscape descriptions of Robert Macfarland and his musical collaboration with Johnny Flynn.
The horror of what happened on both sides is hard to imagine. Mackay's comparisons to the aftermath of events in the first world war are evocative and moving, although Towton in the War of the Roses seems a better comparison for large scale carnage on home soil and the starvation and dislocation that must follow the loss of so many local people.
It's always the sign of a good history book when I finish it and start looking at the bibliography for further reading. Time to dig out my old copy of Tacitus and head to Colchester!
June 10, 2024
This is good. Not my kind of thing but it works. The history is brilliant, thorough examination of the archeology and how it fits with the limited sources for the period. However it is also combined with the authors description of the landscape and places and how they appear in modern times and also his own meandering through them...with family, friends and his dog. This shit usually annoys me but he does a good job of it and by the mid way point i found myself begrudgingly not minding it. He also paints evocative descriptions of the scenarios of the past - again not my favourite tool of popular history books but again he does a bang-up job and i ended up liking it all the same, though they can be a bit repetitive. I usually detest books of this kind and i only gave it a punt as it was 99p on kindle but it turned out to be a fairly enjoyable book on Boudica.
December 10, 2023
Rating : 4 ⭐
This book was an interesting mix of history, archaeology and auto-biographical elements. I liked getting into the history of the different archaeological discoveries that shaped our understanding of this series of events. The author narrated the audiobook and did a great job.
This book was an interesting mix of history, archaeology and auto-biographical elements. I liked getting into the history of the different archaeological discoveries that shaped our understanding of this series of events. The author narrated the audiobook and did a great job.
January 5, 2025
The best kind of popular history; entertaining, well-researched, beautifully written and personal in exactly the right way. Mackay explores (sometimes on foot in Roman marching sandals, fair play) the routes taken (or potentially taken) by Boudica and her troops, in fire and blood, from Colchester to London to St Albans and onward into defeat, as well as those of the unfortunate Ninth Legion and Paulinus at the head of the Twentieth and Fourteenth tramping back from slaughtering the druids at Ynys Mon. If you've any interest in Iron Age Britain or the Roman colonisation, modern and less-modern interpretations of Tacitus and archaeology generally this is highly recommended.
I remember buying my copy of Sutcliff's Song for a Dark Queen (in Hammick's when it was on Wote Street) when I was maybe ten. I'd read various of her other books already, and of course I knew who Boudica was because I was very much That Sort of Child. I've always found the title extremely powerful and the book had a profound impact on my imagination.
There is something different in reading historical fiction when you know the outcome, of course, and I suppose most people reading it will have always known the outcome. (This makes me think of Sarah's surprise when Bobby Kennedy got shot when we went to see JFK.) So this is a story that tells you things about rebellion and invasion and fighting people with better weapons and more effective military organisation that you can see repeated endlessly right up until, well, this morning and tomorrow. Mackay uses the example of the Indian Mutiny to talk about the aftershocks of events of this kind and reading it in January 2025 provides numerous ongoing 'future historical events' to think about. He's right that the resultant destruction of the Iceni doesn't look like a good deal, with hindsight, but he's also right that no one would remember Boudica if she'd put up and shut up. His descriptions of battlefields piled with bodies are extremely evocative and a reminder that people have always been very good at killing one another in large numbers.
NB It took me a while to read it because of the hols and playing Baldur's Gate on the Switch - it is in fact very pacy and page-turny.
I remember buying my copy of Sutcliff's Song for a Dark Queen (in Hammick's when it was on Wote Street) when I was maybe ten. I'd read various of her other books already, and of course I knew who Boudica was because I was very much That Sort of Child. I've always found the title extremely powerful and the book had a profound impact on my imagination.
There is something different in reading historical fiction when you know the outcome, of course, and I suppose most people reading it will have always known the outcome. (This makes me think of Sarah's surprise when Bobby Kennedy got shot when we went to see JFK.) So this is a story that tells you things about rebellion and invasion and fighting people with better weapons and more effective military organisation that you can see repeated endlessly right up until, well, this morning and tomorrow. Mackay uses the example of the Indian Mutiny to talk about the aftershocks of events of this kind and reading it in January 2025 provides numerous ongoing 'future historical events' to think about. He's right that the resultant destruction of the Iceni doesn't look like a good deal, with hindsight, but he's also right that no one would remember Boudica if she'd put up and shut up. His descriptions of battlefields piled with bodies are extremely evocative and a reminder that people have always been very good at killing one another in large numbers.
NB It took me a while to read it because of the hols and playing Baldur's Gate on the Switch - it is in fact very pacy and page-turny.
January 23, 2024
Boudica is one of those figures of history who has been called a feminist, warrior or a terrorist! She famously united a number of Briton tribes against the Roman colonisers in 60AD after her husband died and the Romans whipped her and raped her daughters.
The author is an archaeologist who writes the story of Boudica as part memoir as he walks the trail of Boudica’s journey from her tribal territory (now Norfolk) to Londinium and the battles along the way. It was brutal times, and how men, women and children were tortured, killed or sold into slavery was hard at times given its so far removed from our contemporary morals and ethics of “war”.
I liked the story, but the author has written this book for a local British audience. When describing his journey, he assumes the reader knows the landscapes, street names and buildings he’s describing. It made it difficult to remain engaged in the story at times when I couldn’t visual these locations. I think this approach will date this book for future readers as the towns and landscapes he describes continue and evolve with time.
The author is an archaeologist who writes the story of Boudica as part memoir as he walks the trail of Boudica’s journey from her tribal territory (now Norfolk) to Londinium and the battles along the way. It was brutal times, and how men, women and children were tortured, killed or sold into slavery was hard at times given its so far removed from our contemporary morals and ethics of “war”.
I liked the story, but the author has written this book for a local British audience. When describing his journey, he assumes the reader knows the landscapes, street names and buildings he’s describing. It made it difficult to remain engaged in the story at times when I couldn’t visual these locations. I think this approach will date this book for future readers as the towns and landscapes he describes continue and evolve with time.
May 29, 2025
I love this book! I love the way Duncan Mackay describes the present day landscape then takes us back to how these places may have looked at the time of the Boudican revolt, using Tacitus and Dio as the main sources., and explaining the archeology which has been found to date. There is so much about Boudica that is unknown, and the author doesn't try to fill in these gaps, he merely puts forward plausible theories, but also refers to other theories which may have merit. It is a very balanced view on the whole, which not only explains the violence towards Boudica which was the catalyst for her revolt, but shows us how it might have felt from the Roman side, to see their towns burning and their civilians butchered.
August 30, 2025
A journey following in the footsteps of Boudica's Briton army and Paulinus running to and fro to exact Roman expansion.
It reads like a travelguide to Iceni lands where Romans tried and occasionally failed to overrun the people who lived there. In the end they won victory but not at a cost, on both sides.
Duncan takes you on a trip to all the places of significance to the Boudican revolt, such as Londinium (London) and Camulodunum (Colchester), which the revolt burned to the ground. He also follows in the footsteps of the Roman legions, for example the fate of the IXth Hispanic legion, or what occured on Mona (Anglesey).
It's brilliantly written and I loved to read it.
I will re-read it at least once more to organize a trip back to Colchester and follow in those same footsteps.
It reads like a travelguide to Iceni lands where Romans tried and occasionally failed to overrun the people who lived there. In the end they won victory but not at a cost, on both sides.
Duncan takes you on a trip to all the places of significance to the Boudican revolt, such as Londinium (London) and Camulodunum (Colchester), which the revolt burned to the ground. He also follows in the footsteps of the Roman legions, for example the fate of the IXth Hispanic legion, or what occured on Mona (Anglesey).
It's brilliantly written and I loved to read it.
I will re-read it at least once more to organize a trip back to Colchester and follow in those same footsteps.
January 16, 2025
This is an outstanding historical travelogue. It takes the reader on a journey around the sites - actual or supposed - of the rebellion of Boudica in Britain of AD60. Duncan Mackay offers a clear narrative of the events but also brings colour and power to a fairly familiar story by describing, as he sees them, the places concerned. There are moving personal anecdotes and reminiscences along the way, which make this a very powerful and informative account. It is also properly referenced and flags all the key sources, primary and secondary, of which we are aware. This book is strongly recommended.
March 22, 2025
What a book!
This book is one of the few I have read about Roman Britain that lives up to the enchantment, mystery, brutality, and myth that captivated me as a child and since. In fact, not only does it live up to it, it exceeds it.
Part travel book, part ramblers guide, part archaeological note, part historical retelling, this one is an absolute pleasure of a read - and would be my go-to-recommendation for anyone interested in Roman Britain. Beautifully written, it weaves in just enough nerdy archaeology, with a retelling of the history, modern comparisons, and modern descriptions of the sites.
This book is one of the few I have read about Roman Britain that lives up to the enchantment, mystery, brutality, and myth that captivated me as a child and since. In fact, not only does it live up to it, it exceeds it.
Part travel book, part ramblers guide, part archaeological note, part historical retelling, this one is an absolute pleasure of a read - and would be my go-to-recommendation for anyone interested in Roman Britain. Beautifully written, it weaves in just enough nerdy archaeology, with a retelling of the history, modern comparisons, and modern descriptions of the sites.
November 10, 2024
Duncan Mckay takes a journey around Britain to retrace the route of Boudica and her nemesis Paulinus.
By following in their footsteps McKay is able to bring their story alive brilliantly.
McKay's background in iron age/early Roman archaeology gives him your academic chops to put what he finds in context.
He makes the book very autobiographical in places and I am not sure this works. It dilutes the core story and provides a lot of diversions. I think this probably cost it a star in my rating.
I liked his attempt to locate the place of the great battle, and to explain what happened.
By following in their footsteps McKay is able to bring their story alive brilliantly.
McKay's background in iron age/early Roman archaeology gives him your academic chops to put what he finds in context.
He makes the book very autobiographical in places and I am not sure this works. It dilutes the core story and provides a lot of diversions. I think this probably cost it a star in my rating.
I liked his attempt to locate the place of the great battle, and to explain what happened.
January 2, 2026
Drawing on the latest archaeological evidence and the writings of ancient commentators such as Tacitus and Dio, this book recreates the events surrounding Boudica's rebellion in AD 60/61. Drawing on the author's own expert knowledge and exploration of the real landscapes, it's an increasingly compelling and moving exploration of how it might have felt for the people involved, whether native Briton or Roman incomer. Part history book and part travelogue, if you're a fan of the type of psychogeography pioneered by Iain Sinclair then this book is well worth a read.
April 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. An archaeological investigation into Boudicca, the Iceni revolt against Roman colonists, and the Roman revenge. Precious little archeological evidence appears to exist for the various theories about the revolt and its logistics, however Mackay weaves a convincing journey through the landscape of England and the events... some of the details not for the queasy or feint of heart!
June 21, 2025
The book was well-written and compelling, tracking the locations across Britain that would or might have played a role in Boudica’s rebellion. The consideration of archaeology, topography, and Tacitus are combined. The imagery employed by the author’s actual journey through these lands adds additional poignancy to the research.
He may not have completely convinced me on his proposed site for the battle of Watling Street, but he argued his case well.
He may not have completely convinced me on his proposed site for the battle of Watling Street, but he argued his case well.
November 19, 2024
Not really a book that I would normally read, so my star rating does reflect that. It is more an autobiographical account by the archaeologist and author Duncan Mackay as he retraces the steps on the fate of Boudica and the Great War between the Briton’s and the Roman’s in AD60. A book more suitable to a topographer or war historian than this reader.
February 8, 2025
Fascinating look at the Iceni uprising of 60A.D.. The book is a curious mixture of history and archaeology peppered with a personal travelogue of the relevant sites. It gives a refreshing view of boots (or callegae) on the ground, giving the reader a chance to 'feel' what what we know happened, rather than just read a series of dates. I found the section about Colchester especially moving.
March 9, 2025
Not what I was expecting- struggled to stay focused when reading it. I thought it would be a closer narrative of Boudicca but it was more memoir like of the author and not very precise. However, that is due to the nature of the story and I did enjoy the bits about archeology- the burning of London and the artefacts found.
November 18, 2025
a wonderful read- part history, part travelogue and in many areas speculative -though such speculation is based on the author's background as an archaeologist . I knew that Boudicca destroyed Colchester (anyone who has lived there knows that part of her story) but the rest was largely new to me- the book has ignited a desire to know more about the Roman occupation of my country
November 5, 2024
The history about Boudica's revolt is interesting and well told, and the connection to the modern landscape is a nice touch. But I could have done without the autobiographical details for the most part. Fine to set the stage at the start, or in the conclusion, but I am not interested in the details of how hard the hike was, or what things he told his wife about roman sandals when they were first dating. It's a bit similar to the Alice Roberts book I read last year. This kind of stuff seems more like it was written to be adapted as a TV special, but it just didn't get green lit.
January 6, 2025
'As to the Britons, exactly what was a Roman general meant to do with forty thousand or more bodies? I strong suspect he left them where they were, a spectacular reminder of what happened to those who fucked with Rome.'
March 18, 2025
I enjoyed this - the descriptions of past sites interspersed with modern visits I thought worked quite well. I initially struggled to stay focused on the book in the early stages - lots of tangential topics - but more so towards the end.
June 25, 2025
A very moving look at the pleasures & perils of tracing the past, by foot, bike, car, and human imagination. Highly reccomend the audiobook which is read by the author himself. Now if you'll excuse me I need to find a time machine set to 60AD and a chariot with a rocketlauncher attached.
June 28, 2025
Mackay travels the areas that featured in the Boudiccan revolt to see if there is any clue left behind. Fascinating look at the time of the rebellion using Latin sources and archaeological discoveries.
May 6, 2024
Popular archaeology is often interesting enough to me to warrant 4 stars but rarely does the depth of feeling and connection come through like it does here.
June 16, 2024
Dull, boring and not worth bothering with. The prologue was virtually unrelevant
December 3, 2024
I was so impressed by the author’s actions, this is archaeology as it ought to be in order to instil enthusiasm for this subject. I cannot praise this author enough. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews