The origins of Britain

Britain Before the Conquest

by Jennifer Laing, Lloyd Robert Laing

This book, chronologically the first of the five volume Britain Before The Conquest series, follows the path of man's occupation of Britain from the scattered pockets of habitation in the earliest Palaeolithic period through to his growing domination of the landscape and his capacity to mould his environment evident in the late Bronze Age.

Genres: History, Archaeology, Ancient History, British Literature, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Talbot Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been meaning to read this for years (how many times have I said that?). Ever since I took a British Literature course in high school and learned about the various historical and ethnic waves that rocked Britain, I have been fascinated with the little isles (where many of my ancestors lived). This book (first in a series) documents both British history (actually pre-history in this volume) and the history of studying that history. It begins with the work of antiquaries (often amateurs and dilettantes) and traces the gradual scientification/archaeologization of studying the land, ruins, and early peoples of the British Isles. It is written in a very droll style (with plenty of that British sense of humor), and is accompanied by decent-enough photographs. It does ramble a bit, and certain things are given undue proportion at times. A good book for skimming and a good book to point you in the direction of other scholarship. It is, at this point, perhaps a bit outdated, but one can hardly fault the book for being written when it was.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really comprehensive review of Ancient Britain from the Neolithic to late Bronze age. Covering structures, objects and materials as well as their potential implications on social, cultural, phenomena. Laking in critical investigations insofar as the wider consequences of these findings. Concluding remarks leave the reader asking questions as to the impact of the Ancient Britons on the Britain we know today. However, these remarks are limited and could have had more in-depth analysis. Overall, an interesting book.

[Aerik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about archaeology that I didn't know, and deepened some suspicions I held about the history of my people. The majority of the book is already gone from my memory, but I as I continue to study perhaps the rest of the information will be accompanied with the necessary context to stick and I can crack the book, or another like it, once again and derive more value.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate to think how out of date this book is, but surely, since it is written for a lay audience, it is high enough in view that the general understanding of paleolithic to late bronze age peoples in Britain still holds true. Or at least our best approximation of true.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite time periods. Full review to come.