Mysterious Britain: Ancient Secrets of the United Kingdom and Ireland

by Janet Bord, Colin Bord

Why did ancient Britons transport huge bluestones over great distances to form circles of standing stones? Did Mycenean travellers visit Neolithic Britain? For what purpose were earth mounds raised all over Britain & why did early Christians build churches upon them? What is the truth about leys, the invisible straight lines connecting ancient scared sites?

The ancient sites of the British Isles—standing stones, stone circles, henges, symbols, hillforts, burial mounds—are still, despite archeological research and theory, objects of mystery. 20th-century logic cannot explain their significance. Our only illumination is the glimmer of folklore, legend & race memory.

The authors explore beyond mysterious Britain to unearth some of the enigmas of fertility stones, restless stones, hauntings, secret passages, dragons, monsters, witches, giants, fairies & UFOs. Examining the evidence—a colossal accessible body of stones, mounds & symbols exist in Britain still—they arrive at their own startling theories regarding earth currents, terrestrial energy, ley lines & prehistoric technology.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Folklore, Reference, Historical, British Literature, Paranormal

287 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published March 24, 1981

About the author

(1945-)

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read Mysterious Britain in high school (around 1983 or so), I was intensely, lastingly fascinated and yes, I did also tend to wholeheartedly believe the veracity of Janet Bord's narrative (with regard to the actual and bona fide existence of ley lines, erstwhile giants, enchanted, magical wells and the like). I am much more critical and even somewhat cynical now, and while recently rereading Mysterious Britain has proven both interesting and majorly enjoyable (and I definitely would still like to visit many of so called enigmatic places mentioned and described by Janet Bond), I am also not as easily manipulated by claims of supposed mystery and enchantment (a fun and diverting, even enlightening read, but first and foremost, Mysterious Britain is also a book that must and should be taken and approached with a proverbial dose of critical, if not cynical salt, and to certainly NOT consider it as an acceptable reference source at and for the college and university level). A two and a half star read that simply is not quite a three star rating (but if I were to rate Mysterious Britain as my teeaged, seventeen year old self would have ranked it, the star rating would likely be considerably higher).

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

The phrase, the past is a foreign country is completely true when you venture way back into English history. There are strange standing stones and circles that are still visible in the landscape, ancient earthworks, churches with pagan marks and wells that still have ritual significance even today. Even though modern archaeological techniques and science can go some way to explaining the sites, there is still so much we do not know or can even comprehend.

When this was published way back in 1974 they knew even less then, but there was plenty of speculation as to the origins of the stones, burials and henges. Some of the suggestions in here as to the original purpose of the place would not even be entertained now, for example there is way too much nonsense on UFO's and Ley Lines. Hence it is now quite outdated, but I have had it sitting on a shelf for a decade and a half and though I had better read it. Extracting it from there reminded me a little of Time Team! What I did like though were the photos of the places, they harked back to a time before visitor centres and information boards and were often quite atmospheric.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. The edition I have is crammed full of photographs of various sites around Britain. There is the latitude and longitude of some of the sites if you are disposed to go and visit them yourself.
In the descriptions there is discussion about the use of pyschometry and dowsing to validate what certain spiritual sites may have been used for. For those who do not hold to these kinds of methods do not let it detract you from an interesting resourceful book

[H.E. Bulstrode · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought and read this book when I was a child. It is an entertaining and well-illustrated volume, but much of what it contains – i.e. the material relating to ley lines and UFOs – is nonsense, and its archaeological speculations are often dubious. That said, if it itself is treated as a period artefact, it serves as a good example of the type of material that has informed and shaped the development of certain New Age beliefs and outlooks. It is thus sociologically valuable in its own respect.

[Erik Graff · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prehistoric monuments of the British Isles have generated interested speculation for centuries, a speculation which has spawned, and continues to spawn, legions of amateur archeologists and historians. Colin and Janet Bord are two such, their work taking up that of generations of the predecessors.

[M.J. Wayland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect! Or at least close to the best introduction to Britain's most mysterious sites. A book that can truly start a physical and intellectual journey.

[Matt Nielson · Rating 3 out of 5]

You will need to take some of the speculation about telekinesis, UFOs etc. with a fistful of salt -- but apart from that, this is an engrossing reference for anyone interested in the half-forgotten ancient history of the UK. I've used this as a companion on trips to stone circles through Cornwall and Devon and it has provided some useful information as well as fuel for imagination.

[Merahnaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baru membaca langsung suka. Buku jarang dan saat ini sudah mulai sangat langka. Beruntung mendapatkannya.

[Alanna Mercy-Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and weird.

[Ned Netherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a likeable, breezy book that covers lots of cool topics but does jump to some wild conclusions

[Gabby Proice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The UFO and conspiracy theory crap is insanely bizarre

[Derek Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough survey of ancient buildings, monuments, holy wells and similar sites of interest around Britain, with a smattering of stuff about ley lines and UFOs thrown in for good measure. Organised thematically, with a good gazetteer and some fine photos. It's a bit dated and if I were you I'd double-check the directions before undertaking to visit any of these sites (and be prepared in some cases to find that they have gone completely).