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A.D. 500: A Journey Through The Dark Isles Of Britain And Ireland
From back cover - "From Tintagel and tin-mining to saints and slave markets, from alcohol and King Arthur to boat burials and beavers - here are the realities of life in the sixth century A.D.
Based squarely on archaeological and historical evidence, this window on the mysterious world of the Dark Ages is written as a practical survival guide for the use of civilised Greek visitors to the barbaric islands of Britain and Ireland.
With the narrative of the Greeks providing a condescending and often hilarious running commentary on 'the barbarians', this is a vivid and original picture of life in the Dark Ages."
Based squarely on archaeological and historical evidence, this window on the mysterious world of the Dark Ages is written as a practical survival guide for the use of civilised Greek visitors to the barbaric islands of Britain and Ireland.
With the narrative of the Greeks providing a condescending and often hilarious running commentary on 'the barbarians', this is a vivid and original picture of life in the Dark Ages."
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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304 people want to read
About the author
Simon Young
59 books11 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Simon Young was awarded a starred First in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic from Cambridge University, as well as the Chadwick Prize for Celtic studies. Since then he has lived in Spain, Ireland and Italy. The author of many academic articles, he has also written about the Dark Ages for History Today, the Spectator, and the Guardian.
Simon Young was awarded a starred First in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic from Cambridge University, as well as the Chadwick Prize for Celtic studies. Since then he has lived in Spain, Ireland and Italy. The author of many academic articles, he has also written about the Dark Ages for History Today, the Spectator, and the Guardian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 12, 2020
The author himself defines this book as “fictionalised history”. The idea is that the book is a “guide” to Britain and Ireland in the Dark Ages, based on the report of an embassy to Britain undertaken by diplomats of the Eastern Roman Empire, almost a century after the legions left Britain. The author took the idea from a single line by the 6th century chronicler Procopius, who mentioned the Eastern Emperor sending gifts to the various British kings. Presumably therefore some sort of embassy did travel to Britain, but beyond that the journey described in the book is entirely imaginary.
I really liked it as an idea. The author’s GR page advises he was awarded a starred First from Cambridge in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies, so he clearly knows his stuff. He also says in his book that as a historian he has “a natural bias towards the curious, the exotic and the exuberant”, adding that “the absence of details on say, Anglo-Saxon jewellery making” is simply because he finds that sort of history to be boring.
Our imaginary embassy proceeds around Britain and Ireland in a roughly clockwise direction, arriving at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall and leaving from the Isle of Thanet in the south-east. On their journey they encounter the four peoples of the island, the British Celts, the Irish (within which he includes the Scots of Dál Riata - a view that is no longer accepted by all academics), the Picts, and the Saxons. The latter are the group more normally referred to “Anglo-Saxons” but the embassy describes them all as “Saxons”, because that is the word used in all of the Celtic languages to describe the people who became the English (this is still the case today).
The author uses the unusual format to deliberately conflate various historical events and personalities from across the sixth century. In North Wales the embassy members encounter Taliesin (a Celtic bard), and in Iona they meet Colum Cille (St. Columba). Near Edinburgh they meet Aneirin (another bard) and at Dumbarton Rock they meet Gildas (a Celtic monk known for a Dark Ages chronicle called “On the Ruin of Britain”). Even the Loch Ness Monster puts in an appearance (there is a historical source - it is mentioned in a 7th century text on the life of St. Columba). The embassy witnesses the Battle of Catraeth (Catterick) in which the British Celts who lived around present-day Edinburgh suffered a disastrous defeat that resulted in their lands being taken over by the Angles of Northumbria. They also watch a Saxon king being buried at Sutton Hoo (one of Britain’s most famous archaeological sites). Early in the narrative they witness the death of Pyro, who founded the monastery at Caldey Island in South Wales (Pyro falls down a well while drunk). The author is recreating a world he would have loved to have seen in real life.
The author’s knowledge of early medieval languages allows him to bring in some fascinating linguistic information. There was one reference I would like to have heard more about, and another that seemed oddly anachronistic, but they are too detailed for me to set out in this review.
A most entertaining way to learn about history, although it has led me to want to read many of the sources mentioned. I didn’t really need more books on my TBR list!
I really liked it as an idea. The author’s GR page advises he was awarded a starred First from Cambridge in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies, so he clearly knows his stuff. He also says in his book that as a historian he has “a natural bias towards the curious, the exotic and the exuberant”, adding that “the absence of details on say, Anglo-Saxon jewellery making” is simply because he finds that sort of history to be boring.
Our imaginary embassy proceeds around Britain and Ireland in a roughly clockwise direction, arriving at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall and leaving from the Isle of Thanet in the south-east. On their journey they encounter the four peoples of the island, the British Celts, the Irish (within which he includes the Scots of Dál Riata - a view that is no longer accepted by all academics), the Picts, and the Saxons. The latter are the group more normally referred to “Anglo-Saxons” but the embassy describes them all as “Saxons”, because that is the word used in all of the Celtic languages to describe the people who became the English (this is still the case today).
The author uses the unusual format to deliberately conflate various historical events and personalities from across the sixth century. In North Wales the embassy members encounter Taliesin (a Celtic bard), and in Iona they meet Colum Cille (St. Columba). Near Edinburgh they meet Aneirin (another bard) and at Dumbarton Rock they meet Gildas (a Celtic monk known for a Dark Ages chronicle called “On the Ruin of Britain”). Even the Loch Ness Monster puts in an appearance (there is a historical source - it is mentioned in a 7th century text on the life of St. Columba). The embassy witnesses the Battle of Catraeth (Catterick) in which the British Celts who lived around present-day Edinburgh suffered a disastrous defeat that resulted in their lands being taken over by the Angles of Northumbria. They also watch a Saxon king being buried at Sutton Hoo (one of Britain’s most famous archaeological sites). Early in the narrative they witness the death of Pyro, who founded the monastery at Caldey Island in South Wales (Pyro falls down a well while drunk). The author is recreating a world he would have loved to have seen in real life.
The author’s knowledge of early medieval languages allows him to bring in some fascinating linguistic information. There was one reference I would like to have heard more about, and another that seemed oddly anachronistic, but they are too detailed for me to set out in this review.
A most entertaining way to learn about history, although it has led me to want to read many of the sources mentioned. I didn’t really need more books on my TBR list!
April 19, 2010
In 410AD, the last of the Roman Legions left Britain to defend Rome from the increasing incursions of Barbarian tribes. The Romans had been part of these isles for nearly four centuries, arriving around 43AD under Claudius. Their legacy was great; they had to an extent civilised most of Britain, bringing their culture and law, a road network and developing towns and trade. Prior to the Roman arrival, Britain had belonged to the Britons, a tribal people, whom probably did not venture very far from their lands. Uncivilised, certainly, and we can safely say that the four centuries of Roman rule laid the foundations of what is now the UK. It brought civilisation to these lands.
What happened after 410AD is not very well chronicled. For a few hundred years, what is known as the Dark Ages lay upon Britain. With no social structure, no centralised government, laws or authority, Britain became a very dangerous land, whilst the old Roman towns, villas and forts slowly decayed into rubble, and a whole host of tribal peoples claimed their own lands and proclaimed their leaders King. This was also the era of the gradual conversion from Paganism to Christianity, with churches and monasteries popping up throughout the isles, which may explain the lack of latin records. Instead, what we really only have is conjecture, hearsay, poetical works and a lot of mythical storytelling, such as the legend of King Arthur (who it is said existed around this time, a Celtic/Romano-British King who waged war against the encroaching Anglo-Saxons). We have the Celts, situated in the South West, Wales and Ireland; the Picts, descended from Scandinavians who existed in the North of the land and finally the Saxons, whom were a mixed bunch and had arrived from Europe and laid claim to what is now England.
This is how Simon Young paints Britain in this book. 500AD is a fictionalised account of a group of Greek travellers, hailing from Byzantium, who are ordered to travel the length and breadth of the UK producing a log and travel guide, chronicling the various fiefdoms and customs they come across. Arriving by boat to Tintagel, they set off to record what they find to see what Britain had become since the last of the legions sailed away a hundred years ago and also to try and trace a previous expedition who had set out on a similar mission twenty years earlier whom had never returned. It’s a fictional semi-historical narrative, with the travellers explaining the areas they visit, such as the isolated island hermitage of Lundy in the Severn (which shows how the early Christian monks lived – frugal probably being an understatement); the benignity of the Celts towards travellers; the way to gain protection from local Kings whilst in Ireland (usually via ‘nipple sucking’); the highly dangerous countryside where bandits roamed and attacked without compunction and so on. The Greeks travel through Cornwall, Dorset, South and North Wales, Ireland, over to the Orkneys and down through the dangerous land of Scotland and into Saxon territory, all the time gathering information on local customs, meeting the various Priests, Poets and Kings whose records have been recorded of this era, describing their customs and so on.
The book is an interesting portrayal of sixth century Britain portraying a very bleak, unchronicled period of our history. Through the Greek travellers we see a country ruled by differing fiefdoms (and there were many), little communication between the various clans, hardly any trade, the slow spread of Christianity (which, in many respects appears to be the only unifying force), and much internecine strife – involving Christians and Pagans, Celts and Saxons. Oh and the Picts. Simon Young has produced a relatively short fictional, sometimes humorous travellers guide, which should give you a small but important insight into early British History. Its quite a short book, and he certainly has made this rather confusing period of our history accessible to everyone. Informative.
What happened after 410AD is not very well chronicled. For a few hundred years, what is known as the Dark Ages lay upon Britain. With no social structure, no centralised government, laws or authority, Britain became a very dangerous land, whilst the old Roman towns, villas and forts slowly decayed into rubble, and a whole host of tribal peoples claimed their own lands and proclaimed their leaders King. This was also the era of the gradual conversion from Paganism to Christianity, with churches and monasteries popping up throughout the isles, which may explain the lack of latin records. Instead, what we really only have is conjecture, hearsay, poetical works and a lot of mythical storytelling, such as the legend of King Arthur (who it is said existed around this time, a Celtic/Romano-British King who waged war against the encroaching Anglo-Saxons). We have the Celts, situated in the South West, Wales and Ireland; the Picts, descended from Scandinavians who existed in the North of the land and finally the Saxons, whom were a mixed bunch and had arrived from Europe and laid claim to what is now England.
This is how Simon Young paints Britain in this book. 500AD is a fictionalised account of a group of Greek travellers, hailing from Byzantium, who are ordered to travel the length and breadth of the UK producing a log and travel guide, chronicling the various fiefdoms and customs they come across. Arriving by boat to Tintagel, they set off to record what they find to see what Britain had become since the last of the legions sailed away a hundred years ago and also to try and trace a previous expedition who had set out on a similar mission twenty years earlier whom had never returned. It’s a fictional semi-historical narrative, with the travellers explaining the areas they visit, such as the isolated island hermitage of Lundy in the Severn (which shows how the early Christian monks lived – frugal probably being an understatement); the benignity of the Celts towards travellers; the way to gain protection from local Kings whilst in Ireland (usually via ‘nipple sucking’); the highly dangerous countryside where bandits roamed and attacked without compunction and so on. The Greeks travel through Cornwall, Dorset, South and North Wales, Ireland, over to the Orkneys and down through the dangerous land of Scotland and into Saxon territory, all the time gathering information on local customs, meeting the various Priests, Poets and Kings whose records have been recorded of this era, describing their customs and so on.
The book is an interesting portrayal of sixth century Britain portraying a very bleak, unchronicled period of our history. Through the Greek travellers we see a country ruled by differing fiefdoms (and there were many), little communication between the various clans, hardly any trade, the slow spread of Christianity (which, in many respects appears to be the only unifying force), and much internecine strife – involving Christians and Pagans, Celts and Saxons. Oh and the Picts. Simon Young has produced a relatively short fictional, sometimes humorous travellers guide, which should give you a small but important insight into early British History. Its quite a short book, and he certainly has made this rather confusing period of our history accessible to everyone. Informative.
January 18, 2015
Written like a travelogue, this is an interesting, fascinating and at times enchanting book.
A lovely introduction to dark ages Britain.
A must read.
A lovely introduction to dark ages Britain.
A must read.
August 2, 2011
An excellent read, much better than I expected from the cover notes. Young takes us on a Cook's tour of the four nations of dark age Britain - the Gaels, Celts, Picts and Saxons - using the entertaining device of a faux travelogue written to inform a Byzantine explorer.
His method really brings the dark age people to life and proves three things - (1) intelligence wasn't invented in the 20th Century, (2) parochialism rules the UK, a region where hatred of one's neighbours seems to be baked into the DNA, (3) in determining a society's situation, the threat and exercise of arms is the only currency that matters.
The only irritation is that Young seems to feel the need to include EVERY dark age testimony in the fictional tour. How did I know that the travellers would arrive at Sutton Hoo just in time to see a ship burial :-) ?
But this is a small criticism, and doesn't outweigh the overall impact. Recommended for history nerds everywhere.
His method really brings the dark age people to life and proves three things - (1) intelligence wasn't invented in the 20th Century, (2) parochialism rules the UK, a region where hatred of one's neighbours seems to be baked into the DNA, (3) in determining a society's situation, the threat and exercise of arms is the only currency that matters.
The only irritation is that Young seems to feel the need to include EVERY dark age testimony in the fictional tour. How did I know that the travellers would arrive at Sutton Hoo just in time to see a ship burial :-) ?
But this is a small criticism, and doesn't outweigh the overall impact. Recommended for history nerds everywhere.
July 31, 2015
A good, if far from unique, idea of introducing the reader to a specific period of history through the guise of what would nowadays be called a travelogue, albeit it one written in the style of a Byzantine courtier.
Nice at first but gets a bit bland and tiring after a while, especially with the somewhat circuitous route the book takes.
One niggle would be that the downside to this format would be that anything interesting brought up by the (fictional) courtier is lacking in real world information to back it up, blurring the lines between fiction and fact and making the reader unaware of which niche the author is trying to fit into the most.
Nice at first but gets a bit bland and tiring after a while, especially with the somewhat circuitous route the book takes.
One niggle would be that the downside to this format would be that anything interesting brought up by the (fictional) courtier is lacking in real world information to back it up, blurring the lines between fiction and fact and making the reader unaware of which niche the author is trying to fit into the most.
March 27, 2021
The 'Byzantine-travelog' concept (and resulting style) could be a little grating, but on the whole, I found A.D. 500 a readable account of the "Dark Age" British Isles and various peoples contained therein. Young's copious notes were very open about his authorial choices and the historical/archaeological basis for his speculation was well sourced and explained.
I'd certainly recommend it as more lighthearted, digestible, general overview; although it has the notes and index if you are so inclined.
I'd certainly recommend it as more lighthearted, digestible, general overview; although it has the notes and index if you are so inclined.
November 22, 2024
A unique and comfy travel guide for intrepid 6th-century tourists to sub-Roman Britain. The writing is generally very good, though I almost put it down by page ten. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to read something like this. Is it historical fiction? Is it a scholarly text? Not quite either. My understanding is that this is a historian's attempt to recreate what a 6th-century Byzantine clerk might have to say about foggy Albion.
This confusion regarding the book's purpose leads to my one major gripe with the text: a paucity of footnotes! Every once in a while, the author makes a point or observation that I’ve seen in scholarly works and know, as far as one can, to be true. Irish-derived crannogs in Brycheiniog, for example. Yet there’s no footnote where there certainly should have been one. It would have taken little effort for the author to include notes indicating when a piece of 6th-century conjecture is indeed grounded in fact.
The few footnotes that do exist are often sparse and avoid breaking the narrative wall, likely to maintain the illusion that this text was written by an on-the-ground Byzantine envoy.
Small complaints aside, I had fun with this and would recommend it to other early medieval fans.
This confusion regarding the book's purpose leads to my one major gripe with the text: a paucity of footnotes! Every once in a while, the author makes a point or observation that I’ve seen in scholarly works and know, as far as one can, to be true. Irish-derived crannogs in Brycheiniog, for example. Yet there’s no footnote where there certainly should have been one. It would have taken little effort for the author to include notes indicating when a piece of 6th-century conjecture is indeed grounded in fact.
The few footnotes that do exist are often sparse and avoid breaking the narrative wall, likely to maintain the illusion that this text was written by an on-the-ground Byzantine envoy.
Small complaints aside, I had fun with this and would recommend it to other early medieval fans.
August 26, 2018
This was an interesting way to impart dry historical data.
Simon Young, a Celtic and Dark Ages historian, created a fictional Byzantine travelogue, narrated by an adviser to the Emperor. The Emperor is always "planning" for the eventual reconquering of the barbaric isles of Britain and this travelogue is from a previous, fateful expedition. The narrator makes many "helpful" comments, giving insight into both the actual period and various misconceptions that other peoples had about England, of the time.
The journal entries refer to the names of places at the time, but footnotes clarify which are still existing places. Copious footnotes and end-notes provide additional details.
Overall, I enjoyed this approach and I now intend to seek out some other works by Young, just because of how he wrote this one.
Fun, for fans of the time and place.
Simon Young, a Celtic and Dark Ages historian, created a fictional Byzantine travelogue, narrated by an adviser to the Emperor. The Emperor is always "planning" for the eventual reconquering of the barbaric isles of Britain and this travelogue is from a previous, fateful expedition. The narrator makes many "helpful" comments, giving insight into both the actual period and various misconceptions that other peoples had about England, of the time.
The journal entries refer to the names of places at the time, but footnotes clarify which are still existing places. Copious footnotes and end-notes provide additional details.
Overall, I enjoyed this approach and I now intend to seek out some other works by Young, just because of how he wrote this one.
Fun, for fans of the time and place.
August 13, 2016
Loved this book! What an interesting and fun way to read about history. Using facts and other information, it's set up like a travel guide - where to go, what to see, where to stay, type of thing. Very unique. Highly recommend!
December 23, 2018
A relentless accumulation of medieval trivia doth not a good book make. DNF.
October 3, 2022
I've had a long time interest in dark ages Britain and Ireland, and this book scratches that itch with a compelling conceit, that of a fictionalized Byzantine travelogue of those "dark isles". The travelers cover all quarters, encountering British Celts (both in the kingdoms of southwestern Britain and and in what is now southern Scotland and Wales), Irish & Dal Riadan Gaels, Pictish tribes, and Saxon warlords. They even show up in Din Eidyn (Edinburgh) in time to accompany the Gododdin on their fatal march to battle with the Saxons at Catraeth (as chronicled in the ancient poem Y Gododdin). The travellers also meet some famous saints and bards (hello, Taliesin) and meet many dangers on their rough journey. The fictionalized format makes for livelier reading than most dark age histories, and makes for good fodder for a historically based rpg campaign (maybe King Arthur Pendragon or Ars Magica?).
January 7, 2019
Was recommended this as a resource for Celtic/Saxon-inspired RPG campaigns. A fun read, using the conceit of a guide for Greek travellers base dona failed embassy to give an overview of post-Roman, early Saxon Britain and Ireland.
Lots of interesting local colour, and a good sense of different factions and culture throughout the isles.
I found the last section, on Saxon England, least convincing - it's the area I know best, and I think having less history of the period to rely on the author has over-used later Anglo-Saxon literature. The Saxons speak in proverbs taken from AS wisdom poetry, recite poems and speeches written down word for word in later centuries, tell the story of Beowulf - not that they might not have done this, but it doesn't wholly convince, and I would have hoped for a better sense of the developing colonisation of England and the nascent Seven Kingdoms.
Lots of interesting local colour, and a good sense of different factions and culture throughout the isles.
I found the last section, on Saxon England, least convincing - it's the area I know best, and I think having less history of the period to rely on the author has over-used later Anglo-Saxon literature. The Saxons speak in proverbs taken from AS wisdom poetry, recite poems and speeches written down word for word in later centuries, tell the story of Beowulf - not that they might not have done this, but it doesn't wholly convince, and I would have hoped for a better sense of the developing colonisation of England and the nascent Seven Kingdoms.
April 1, 2018
Still not sure if I liked the format or not. Written as a travelogue by Byzantine explorers in the 6th century. It made a lot of the information fresh and relatable, although I was often wishing to delve into more detail in terms of the the prevalence, veracity, etc. etc. of certain facts and occurrences. Anyway, still very interesting and entertaining.
July 21, 2021
More of a Documentary than a historical novel, it's actually a sort of a survival travel guide to the British Isles and Ireland in the Dark Ages. A tale of an epic journey and their adventures by a group of civilized Greek visitors. A picture of what life travelling through Britain was like after the Romans left.
December 3, 2021
I enjoyed this for the most part, but there were times where it was a bit of a slog with not much reward. Probably a great read for someone not overly familiar with the time period, but there wasn't much new in it for me.
March 29, 2023
Well I would say the author decided to continue the stereotypes of knowledge about the "Celts," all are dark skinned, human scarifice, decapitation. No different despite his education. Also using the word Eskimo instead of Inuit. Not the book it could have very well been.
August 26, 2019
It's a great concept, it was fun, and I learnt some stuff. However, I did sometimes get lost with where I was, and there were points where it went on a bit.
September 27, 2024
Found it to be a very engaging way if conveying historical information. Quite humorous following the journey of the Embassy as they encounter the perceiced barbarity of the inhabitants of the Isles.
October 28, 2022
I loved that I felt as though I was the traveler. However, it some times lost me on some of the information and I do not like the brief overly negative retelling of Scotland and Ireland history.
December 11, 2008
Although a fictionalised account of a journey through 6th century Britain and Ireland this book is still an excellent historical book.
It is adapted from the fictional travel log kept by a group of Greeks as they make their way through the 'Dark Isles' of Britain and Ireland. This fictional journey gives the reader a more accessible insight into the culture of these lands during this period. No specific year is given and this is deliberate, as it allows the author to choose people and events from throughout the 6th century, without being tied down to a single year.
The Greek travellers offer a witty if condescending viewpoint of the 'Barbarians' they encounter. This is of course in keeping with the way the 'civilised' Greeks and Romans viewed Ireland.
For anyone who wants a useful and entertaining history of Early Medieval Ireland and Britain, then this is an excellent book.
It is adapted from the fictional travel log kept by a group of Greeks as they make their way through the 'Dark Isles' of Britain and Ireland. This fictional journey gives the reader a more accessible insight into the culture of these lands during this period. No specific year is given and this is deliberate, as it allows the author to choose people and events from throughout the 6th century, without being tied down to a single year.
The Greek travellers offer a witty if condescending viewpoint of the 'Barbarians' they encounter. This is of course in keeping with the way the 'civilised' Greeks and Romans viewed Ireland.
For anyone who wants a useful and entertaining history of Early Medieval Ireland and Britain, then this is an excellent book.
June 29, 2010
The conceit is of a Byzantine librarian and researcher of the "Dark Isles" who is asked to write up a "how to" guide for a new expedition to the same. He has a journal that came back to the palace from the last expedition (though none of the adventurers survived) as source material.
And though he is horrified by some of the customs (like sucking nipples to get protection, running around naked with body paint, or pagan-like sacrifices), he's pretty sure he's equal to the task.
It was an enjoyable read, and I may have even learned something along the way.
And though he is horrified by some of the customs (like sucking nipples to get protection, running around naked with body paint, or pagan-like sacrifices), he's pretty sure he's equal to the task.
It was an enjoyable read, and I may have even learned something along the way.
February 9, 2014
Fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable tour through the Dark Isles of Britain and Ireland around about AD 500. The literary conceit of making the book the supposed guide written by a Byzantine geographer working to Imperial commission works very well, providing an amusing and bemused viewpoint on the oddities of the various groups fighting over the islands. Full of interesting details - it will take a while to forget just what was entailed in being crowned high king of Ireland - and illuminated by the author's footnotes. A lively and engrossing journey.
March 30, 2009
Interesting, well-researched overview of life in the British Isles in the 6th century, fictionalized as a guide for travelers from Byzantium. Some of the main text is extrapolated beyond the evidence specifically available for the British Isles, but is not beyond the bounds of plausibility, is based on actual research (e.g. continental and/or later practices), and is flagged as such in the endnotes.
December 30, 2009
Reading this back-to-back with The Lost City of Z is kind-of funny, because they're essentially about the same thing, half a world and 1,500 years removed from each other.
If I had know it was written in a narrative, as it is, I probably wouldn't have picked it up; the writing's a bit precious so far. Hopefully it'll get better as it goes on!
If I had know it was written in a narrative, as it is, I probably wouldn't have picked it up; the writing's a bit precious so far. Hopefully it'll get better as it goes on!
Want to read
August 28, 2019is set up as a sort of fictional travel guide, written from the perspective of a Byzantine. That makes it a perfect background for a campaign set during the first Anglo-Saxon invasions. I hope to have more elaborate reviews of this book in the coming months.
June 21, 2013
Not what I expected at all, It's neither here nor there really?! Not historical in that it's mostly conjecture & certain not as funny as it claims to be. Best part is probably the notes by the author which give further reading on the period.
June 3, 2017
An interesting idea to posit a visit to 5th centry Britain and Ireland by a commission of Greeks reporting back to the Emporor in Constantinople. The downside is the limited information available on the islands of that period, but informative and entertaining despite that.
January 7, 2016
very enjoyable book. reminded me of an historical equivalent of bill bryson's science book ' a short history of nearly everything' with the book much more accessible than the average history book but yet just as informative and a lot more fun !
September 19, 2025
Traces imaginary Greek travelers through their visits to the various kingdoms of the UK and Ireland in AD 500; nicely done and well-documented (with copious footnotes *and* notes at the end). Added date is my second reading of this.
Read
June 11, 2009Diverting! I'm inclining away from the Big Anglo-Saxon Invasion these days, and author also wants to use 19th century term Celt. But full of amusing details.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews