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The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places
"Everyone should have two copies - one for the car and one for the house to plan journeys. . . a reminder to think more about the places you pass and less about your route, because every British journey is through rich history." (Edward Stourton)
From much-loved historian Neil Oliver, comes this beautifully written, kaleidoscopic history of a place with a story like no other.
The British Isles, this archipelago of islands, is to Neil Oliver the best place in the world. From north to south, east to west it cradles astonishing beauty. The human story here is a million years old, and counting. But the tolerant, easygoing peace we enjoy has been hard won. We have made and known the best and worst of times. We have been hero and villain and all else in between, and we have learned some lessons.
The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places is Neil’s very personal account of what makes these islands so special, told through the places that have witnessed the unfolding of our history. Beginning with footprints made in the sand by humankind’s earliest ancestors, he takes us via Romans and Vikings, the flowering of religion, through civil war, industrial revolution and two world wars. From windswept headlands to battlefields, ancient trees to magnificent cathedrals, each of his destinations is a place where, somehow, the spirit of the past seems to linger.
From much-loved historian Neil Oliver, comes this beautifully written, kaleidoscopic history of a place with a story like no other.
The British Isles, this archipelago of islands, is to Neil Oliver the best place in the world. From north to south, east to west it cradles astonishing beauty. The human story here is a million years old, and counting. But the tolerant, easygoing peace we enjoy has been hard won. We have made and known the best and worst of times. We have been hero and villain and all else in between, and we have learned some lessons.
The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places is Neil’s very personal account of what makes these islands so special, told through the places that have witnessed the unfolding of our history. Beginning with footprints made in the sand by humankind’s earliest ancestors, he takes us via Romans and Vikings, the flowering of religion, through civil war, industrial revolution and two world wars. From windswept headlands to battlefields, ancient trees to magnificent cathedrals, each of his destinations is a place where, somehow, the spirit of the past seems to linger.
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2018
216 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
Neil Oliver
63 books288 followersNeil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer who has become widely known as the presenter of BBC television's series A History of Scotland and Coast.
His first fiction novel, Master of Shadows, is published by Orion in September 2015.
He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.
His first fiction novel, Master of Shadows, is published by Orion in September 2015.
He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 4, 2019
I like Neil Oliver. I like him in Coast and all the other BBC docs that he appears in so when this book came out I was always going to buy it. It’s a shame that I was not able to see him at the theatre where he was talking about the book. He actually did a tour of the UK.
There are some books that you need to get in hardback. I read mainly from the kindle as it is just so much easier for me and my lifestyle. This one I did get in hardback. To be honest it was an OK choice but I do feel that the photos could have been better and there should have been more of them throughout the book. Any book with photos of any quality should be bought in hardback I feel.
A list of 100 objects, places, films etc is nothing new. From that point-of-view this book is not breaking any original boundaries but the content is great if a little surreal in places. Let me explain. Firstly, this is not a travelogue. The list of places is set in a chronological order. Oliver sets it out by either the date that a place was built if it was a building like Hampton Court or it could be the date of a particular battle like Culloden. Another example is Whitby where Captain James Cook’s ship was built in the 1700’s. He has a style of writing that is a little florid and, in some cases, can go way off course leaving you wondering what the actual place that he is writing about is actually like. I looked it up online in some cases.
I recognised a lot of the places from his trips making Coast. Nothing wrong with that at all. I would have liked a map of the UK and Ireland showing where all these places are. I would love to go to all of them. Now if I won the lottery, I would be taking the family off every weekend to these places. I can do the London ones now. Actually, we did go and visit the replica of the Golden Hinde in Southwark which Oliver mentions. Very good it was too. A few of them we have already visited like Stonehenge, Avebury, the aforementioned Hampton Court and Whitby, the Giants Causeway, the Titanic slipway, the Roman baths in Bath and some others. There are far more that we have not been to than we have.
It’s a wonderful thing if a book can inspire you to get out there and visit places and this book did just that for me. I took note of each place and added a sentence or two as a reminder. This is not a staid history lesson by Oliver, although that would have been fine by me, but he has stamped his own writing style on it with personal opinion.
There are some books that you need to get in hardback. I read mainly from the kindle as it is just so much easier for me and my lifestyle. This one I did get in hardback. To be honest it was an OK choice but I do feel that the photos could have been better and there should have been more of them throughout the book. Any book with photos of any quality should be bought in hardback I feel.
A list of 100 objects, places, films etc is nothing new. From that point-of-view this book is not breaking any original boundaries but the content is great if a little surreal in places. Let me explain. Firstly, this is not a travelogue. The list of places is set in a chronological order. Oliver sets it out by either the date that a place was built if it was a building like Hampton Court or it could be the date of a particular battle like Culloden. Another example is Whitby where Captain James Cook’s ship was built in the 1700’s. He has a style of writing that is a little florid and, in some cases, can go way off course leaving you wondering what the actual place that he is writing about is actually like. I looked it up online in some cases.
I recognised a lot of the places from his trips making Coast. Nothing wrong with that at all. I would have liked a map of the UK and Ireland showing where all these places are. I would love to go to all of them. Now if I won the lottery, I would be taking the family off every weekend to these places. I can do the London ones now. Actually, we did go and visit the replica of the Golden Hinde in Southwark which Oliver mentions. Very good it was too. A few of them we have already visited like Stonehenge, Avebury, the aforementioned Hampton Court and Whitby, the Giants Causeway, the Titanic slipway, the Roman baths in Bath and some others. There are far more that we have not been to than we have.
It’s a wonderful thing if a book can inspire you to get out there and visit places and this book did just that for me. I took note of each place and added a sentence or two as a reminder. This is not a staid history lesson by Oliver, although that would have been fine by me, but he has stamped his own writing style on it with personal opinion.
unfinished-or-abandoned
July 20, 2024generally interesting and accessible.
couldn't decide whether the way it's done works or not.
I like using place as a way to connect with history.
but this approach within this book makes for a really disjointed and meandering history, and a pretty partial/particular one.
some really unnecessary metaphor at times, that is (in my experience) alienating rather than more engaging - probably cos it assumes a particular/shared cultural reference point in readers.
also feels weirdly racist, little bits here and there forming a larger sense - making a point (for I'm not sure what reason) of talking about how people of all races have been enslaved at some point... seemingly overlooking the indigenous peoples of North America in eg reference to the British making the nation.
I generally expect something at least more neutral and/or informed, and was abit surprised and shocked.
(hmm, a quick internet search suggests I'm picking up on something others have encountered in other problematic things the author has said and/or done 😕)
stopped reading 68% of the way thru.
couldn't decide whether the way it's done works or not.
I like using place as a way to connect with history.
but this approach within this book makes for a really disjointed and meandering history, and a pretty partial/particular one.
some really unnecessary metaphor at times, that is (in my experience) alienating rather than more engaging - probably cos it assumes a particular/shared cultural reference point in readers.
also feels weirdly racist, little bits here and there forming a larger sense - making a point (for I'm not sure what reason) of talking about how people of all races have been enslaved at some point... seemingly overlooking the indigenous peoples of North America in eg reference to the British making the nation.
I generally expect something at least more neutral and/or informed, and was abit surprised and shocked.
(hmm, a quick internet search suggests I'm picking up on something others have encountered in other problematic things the author has said and/or done 😕)
stopped reading 68% of the way thru.
December 21, 2018
The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places
Neil Oliver is the historian I aspire to be! His love of this island of ours and the historic stories he likes to tell are second to none. With this book he has highlighted places that some people may not consider and that is what makes this book so special.
As someone who has studied the history of Manchester and Lancashire in depth, I was surprised at first that he wrote a chapter on The Rutherford Building at Manchester University. Named after the father of modern nuclear physics, and former member of staff of the University. While telling Rutherford’s story, how he came to discover the atom while at Manchester, before his move to Cambridge. A story most Mancunians know but never really consider, but this makes us stop and think yes, big things do happen in the strangest of places.
Even if this is a very personal list of places to Neil Oliver, many will have visited some of the places on this list. Some are also special to me that I have visited a number of times such as the Creswell Crags on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border and the Great Orme out in Llandudno.
The there is the rockery on the A303, which is currently an excellent parking spot during the traffic delays especially during the summer. Site of the summer solstice Stonehenge is to me a wonder of the world, and engineering! Or one of the places that garnered my interest and passion in history as a child, Harlech Castle.
All the places the Neil Oliver has used to tell the story of the British Isles are special, some are very well known and well visited others are not. This is a fantastic book that it helps you to view British history in a different light, and like me you will now have a new list of places to visit. While all of us will have our own list of places that can tell the history of these Isles and this is the opening of a historical debate.
This really is a fantastic book.
Neil Oliver is the historian I aspire to be! His love of this island of ours and the historic stories he likes to tell are second to none. With this book he has highlighted places that some people may not consider and that is what makes this book so special.
As someone who has studied the history of Manchester and Lancashire in depth, I was surprised at first that he wrote a chapter on The Rutherford Building at Manchester University. Named after the father of modern nuclear physics, and former member of staff of the University. While telling Rutherford’s story, how he came to discover the atom while at Manchester, before his move to Cambridge. A story most Mancunians know but never really consider, but this makes us stop and think yes, big things do happen in the strangest of places.
Even if this is a very personal list of places to Neil Oliver, many will have visited some of the places on this list. Some are also special to me that I have visited a number of times such as the Creswell Crags on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border and the Great Orme out in Llandudno.
The there is the rockery on the A303, which is currently an excellent parking spot during the traffic delays especially during the summer. Site of the summer solstice Stonehenge is to me a wonder of the world, and engineering! Or one of the places that garnered my interest and passion in history as a child, Harlech Castle.
All the places the Neil Oliver has used to tell the story of the British Isles are special, some are very well known and well visited others are not. This is a fantastic book that it helps you to view British history in a different light, and like me you will now have a new list of places to visit. While all of us will have our own list of places that can tell the history of these Isles and this is the opening of a historical debate.
This really is a fantastic book.
September 16, 2018
This is a superb book, which the title really doesn't do justice to. It's laid out as 100 stories each about a place in the British Isles, ordered chronologically so that the narrative takes you through the history of the islands. The blurb and quotes on the cover suggest that this is going to be a very personal potter around the British Isles by Neil Oliver and possibly inspire some nice family days out, but that completely undersells it.
As a history book, it is as vast and important as Frankopan's Silk Roads, spanning 1 million years of history within the islands and their wider global influence. Added to that, this book tells the human history - the development of farming, religion, political philosophy, technology - it's like Harari's Homo Sapiens with better tangible examples and less insufferable waffle. Neil Oliver takes this massive story of the land and its people and finds meaning relevant to today - the importance of family, community, meditation. In his conclusions, it's almost veering into psychological self-help - if you enjoyed Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life , I think you will find this book an illuminating read.
The chapters themselves blend geology, archaeology, folklore, vivid nature-writing and human interest tales. Some cover landmarks familiar to me and some talk about totally alien places, that I expect I will now try to visit. Overall, it is a moving and optimistic book. It's history at its best: telling a story that resonates, connecting us today with the people who lived on the land before us, learning from their experiences, seeing progress along the way and inspiring hope and confidence for the future.
As a history book, it is as vast and important as Frankopan's Silk Roads, spanning 1 million years of history within the islands and their wider global influence. Added to that, this book tells the human history - the development of farming, religion, political philosophy, technology - it's like Harari's Homo Sapiens with better tangible examples and less insufferable waffle. Neil Oliver takes this massive story of the land and its people and finds meaning relevant to today - the importance of family, community, meditation. In his conclusions, it's almost veering into psychological self-help - if you enjoyed Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life , I think you will find this book an illuminating read.
The chapters themselves blend geology, archaeology, folklore, vivid nature-writing and human interest tales. Some cover landmarks familiar to me and some talk about totally alien places, that I expect I will now try to visit. Overall, it is a moving and optimistic book. It's history at its best: telling a story that resonates, connecting us today with the people who lived on the land before us, learning from their experiences, seeing progress along the way and inspiring hope and confidence for the future.
December 30, 2018
It is always difficult to review this kind of book by its very nature as a personal selection of something, whether it is 100 places, people or things. Likewise people may all agree on some selections but not on others, and never on all.
The quality of the selection depends on the qualifications of the person doing the selecting, and the author is certainly qualified in that respect, being a well known archaeologist and journalist. That said, personal bias also plays a major part and the fact that the author is a Scot certainly plays to that, given the number of Scottish sites listed in the book. I don't have a particular issue with that bias as so often histories of Britain become histories of England, and histories of England become histories of London. Wales and Ireland do get short shrift as a result though.
So an enjoyable read altogether, my only real complaint is that some of the photos used in the colour plates look curiously old fashioned. You could certainly do a lot worse than read this book.
The quality of the selection depends on the qualifications of the person doing the selecting, and the author is certainly qualified in that respect, being a well known archaeologist and journalist. That said, personal bias also plays a major part and the fact that the author is a Scot certainly plays to that, given the number of Scottish sites listed in the book. I don't have a particular issue with that bias as so often histories of Britain become histories of England, and histories of England become histories of London. Wales and Ireland do get short shrift as a result though.
So an enjoyable read altogether, my only real complaint is that some of the photos used in the colour plates look curiously old fashioned. You could certainly do a lot worse than read this book.
August 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this - a great review of 100 places that all form part of the history of the British Isles. A great mix, Orkney through to Channel Isles - and some wonderful insights and anecdotes - and it goes to show that you can have love where you are from without resorting to flag waving nationalism.
In these fractured times a refreshing reminder that we are not from a bad place after all!
In these fractured times a refreshing reminder that we are not from a bad place after all!
June 18, 2019
Not all locations are going to special to everyone, and there are a lot that are missing, but overall this was an enjoyable and insightful read. There were pockets here and there that were truly eye opening (more were killed in the training for the Utah beach landing than in the actual event on dday? Wow).
June 4, 2020
Interesting look through British history from the prehistory behind Stone Henge and other prehistoric monuments through Tudor and Stuart times and covering key events like the Industrial Revolution both World Wars and the sinking Titanic. Each chapter of this book is structured like a short essay around the topic that particular place highlights for instance Blenheim Palace and how the origins of Winston Churchill and his ancestors such as John Churchill had similar characteristics which enabled them to be successful in waging war on the enemies they encountered. This made this book highly readable and easy for me to read as the more I got into the book as was constantly saying to myself one more chapter and then I will put it down. Well worth reading if snippets of British history are your thing.
September 19, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It could have been a dip in and out kind of book, but I was enjoying it so much I just kept reading. It's roughly chronological, and each chapter distinct, but there's a little crossover in some where relevant.
Neil Oliver writes as he talks. The prose is beautiful, and he delivers facts and opinion with the same style as he would if he were presenting this on TV.
It's probably considered lightweight by some, but therein lies its beauty. It's actually full of information, too, it's just that it is told with an easy manner and should be read by anyone who loves history and our islands.
Neil Oliver writes as he talks. The prose is beautiful, and he delivers facts and opinion with the same style as he would if he were presenting this on TV.
It's probably considered lightweight by some, but therein lies its beauty. It's actually full of information, too, it's just that it is told with an easy manner and should be read by anyone who loves history and our islands.
May 24, 2023
Really enjoyed this (apart from all the Evolution mumbo jumbo)!
November 6, 2019
The author of The Story of the British Isles looks at 100 locations dotted around the British Isles that have had a meaningful impact on the history of the British Isles. He begins with traces of the first human footsteps found at Happisburgh in Norfolk and brings us up to present date via Romans, Vikings, civil war, the industrial revolution and two world wars.
With the exception of autobiographies, I don't usually read non-fiction in my spare time but this caught my interest because it looks at our history from so many different disciplines. Throughout the book ancient history, modern history, archaeology, geology, geography and the politics of the British Isles are all explored. It is not just major historical events that are covered, there are many smaller stories to be found in the pages that have had a far reaching impact on the people of this nation and the way we have live our lives. I enjoyed reading some of the smaller unknown stories and the history recorded about some of the local characters that got caught up in the big historical turning points, sometimes funny and always interesting. I'll be honest and say not every single chapter caught my interest but they are only short and it's a book that is easy to dip in and out of without reading it in one sitting from cover to cover. Plus it's also a useful guide for if you're ever travelling around the British Isles, there are a few hidden places here that are probably not mentioned in the usual tourist guides.
With the exception of autobiographies, I don't usually read non-fiction in my spare time but this caught my interest because it looks at our history from so many different disciplines. Throughout the book ancient history, modern history, archaeology, geology, geography and the politics of the British Isles are all explored. It is not just major historical events that are covered, there are many smaller stories to be found in the pages that have had a far reaching impact on the people of this nation and the way we have live our lives. I enjoyed reading some of the smaller unknown stories and the history recorded about some of the local characters that got caught up in the big historical turning points, sometimes funny and always interesting. I'll be honest and say not every single chapter caught my interest but they are only short and it's a book that is easy to dip in and out of without reading it in one sitting from cover to cover. Plus it's also a useful guide for if you're ever travelling around the British Isles, there are a few hidden places here that are probably not mentioned in the usual tourist guides.
September 2, 2021
This book is a monumental achievement. The detail this author goes into throughout the book tells you his love affair with these islands and each of the stories feels intensely personal. The stories discuss the people, events, battles, geographical wonders and changes that make this place so unique. It really ebbs and flows and you will absorb a little nugget of magic from every story.
It has made me draw up an action plan of places I hadn't considered before but are now total must-visits. Places like the mountain of Schiehallion where the world was first scientifically weighed. The Fortingall Yew, perhaps the oldest living thing in Europe. The harrowing history of Orkney's Scapa Flow. The combined beauty and religious history of the holy islands of Iona and Lindisfarne. The peculiar individuality of the Isle of Man and Les Ecrehous in the Channel Islands. The abbeys of Arbroath and Westminster. And those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. It's a brilliant breadth of knowledge here.
It isn't perfect - naturally, with 100 separate chapters and stories to tell, some grab you instantly while others do not. I think there is a bit too much focus on Britain's story from 2000 years or more ago, which has its place but is never quite as interesting as from Roman times onwards.
I can't give it a full score because of this, but this is as strong a recommendation as I can muster on four stars. An exceptional piece of work from an exceptional historian.
It has made me draw up an action plan of places I hadn't considered before but are now total must-visits. Places like the mountain of Schiehallion where the world was first scientifically weighed. The Fortingall Yew, perhaps the oldest living thing in Europe. The harrowing history of Orkney's Scapa Flow. The combined beauty and religious history of the holy islands of Iona and Lindisfarne. The peculiar individuality of the Isle of Man and Les Ecrehous in the Channel Islands. The abbeys of Arbroath and Westminster. And those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. It's a brilliant breadth of knowledge here.
It isn't perfect - naturally, with 100 separate chapters and stories to tell, some grab you instantly while others do not. I think there is a bit too much focus on Britain's story from 2000 years or more ago, which has its place but is never quite as interesting as from Roman times onwards.
I can't give it a full score because of this, but this is as strong a recommendation as I can muster on four stars. An exceptional piece of work from an exceptional historian.
April 14, 2020
An incredibly insightful, philosophical and beautifully told investigation into the very notion of identity as an inhabitant of "these islands." This book is essentially 100 short stories, all masterfully told in Oliver's trademark wistful, beautiful, personal way. I was glad that he did not shy away from the brutality of Britain's past, both abroad and on our own lands, and was relieved to see so much of Scotland's past included in the broad overview of history. Initially, as a welsh person, I was a little disappointed in some of the key moments from our history that were not included - Aberfan, or Capel Celyn, I felt would say more about the corruption of business and power in Britain, and would have been an interesting replacement of the Cardiff Coal Exchange, for example, but still I felt that this book did not lack anything; 100 is a lot of places and I found the meandering of British history, politics, movements and stories completely gripping from start to finish. I imagine that lots of people would want to have their say about places that weren't included because everyone has their own personal attachments, but what Oliver has created is a masterful tale of our islands and why we should be proud, and careful.
May 12, 2022
It’s been a long while since I last read any book in English. Reading this book is taking way longer than usual, but it’s totally worth it. The journey through the British isles with Neil Oliver is so much fun and I certainly learned a great deal out of it. I haven’t been able to travel in nearly three years and reading this coupled with google map (not really know all the places since I have only spent half a year of my lifetime in uk) is like a actually travelling with a knowledgeable tour guide. I now learn about bunch of great places for my next travel destination and I can certainly tell my travel companion about what happened in this place.
I do like the first part about ancient history more than other, especially when compared to the modern part. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic book that’s worth a read.
I do like the first part about ancient history more than other, especially when compared to the modern part. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic book that’s worth a read.
June 13, 2021
Historian Neil Oliver, perhaps best known for the BBC’s ‘Coast’ series, takes the reader on a tour of locations in the British Isles. These are all places of historical significance, ranging from the earliest traces of human activity through invasions, battles, scientific discoveries, key individuals and more.
Oliver is great at invoking the atmosphere of places and events, when he writes about the tsunami that separated the British archipelago from continental Europe over a million years ago you can almost feel its power.
Some of the places here you may know, others you may not, but each has a compelling story to tell. This is, more than anything, a love letter to the British Isles, it’s entertaining and thought provoking in equal measure.
Oliver is great at invoking the atmosphere of places and events, when he writes about the tsunami that separated the British archipelago from continental Europe over a million years ago you can almost feel its power.
Some of the places here you may know, others you may not, but each has a compelling story to tell. This is, more than anything, a love letter to the British Isles, it’s entertaining and thought provoking in equal measure.
July 30, 2019
The constant escalating superlatives become tiresome very quickly. Every single places it the absolute favourite and exceptional. It's like that audible illusion of a sound that keeps rising in pitch without end. When something is described as simply wonderful you start to wonder what kind of an utter dump it must be to warrant such a scathing rating. I just cannot stand the supercilious bombastic tone.
June 28, 2021
I was recommended this book my a friend and it didn’t disappoint. With 100 chapters (1 per place obviously) it is bite size fascinating history that is perfect when have little time to read. It pretty much covers from the dawn of time to the present day and Neil’s writing is filled with anecdotes and personal experience and reflections. Great read
June 27, 2020
Neil, this really is your love letter to the British Isles an outstanding book.
A crossover of History and Travel that inspire you to visit and learn about these places.
A historian for modern times.
A crossover of History and Travel that inspire you to visit and learn about these places.
A historian for modern times.
January 18, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed and can't recommend it enough. Especially his reading of the audio
Read
September 30, 2019So, who wants to come with me and visit all of these places?
January 3, 2020
BLOODY AWESOME. My ambition to visit everywhere in this book
March 21, 2022
Absolutely fascinating. Took a while to read this but very glad that I did, Neil Oliver writes well and offers done intro insights into our history.
March 12, 2023
A great read and a book I will keep. Maybe I’ll visit all 100 places. What better way to bring history alive.
December 10, 2020
I like Neil Oliver’s television work but this book was far too nebulous, drifting and meandering to be a “100 places” type book. I just wanted to read and know about 100 places, when what I actually got was stories about people (often tragic), philosophy and thoughts on the union/nation and what it means. In my opinion it would have been better to be without the 100 places and he could have just gone on a journey through time of these islands unfettered.
November 15, 2025
Great book, well written and as good a summary of places as any. Enjoyed the hardback large format from the library although I did read in his Scottish brogue.
November 20, 2021
Oliver ends with the beginning explaining why he refers to the land as “these isles” rather than the geopolitical names of England, Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland…. He feels those identities come and go (perhaps are also fluid?) while the land remains. Rather a grounding idea in these days of uncertainty.
Throughout the text, technical and anecdotal history was presented in lyrical, almost poetic writing. Such as when describing a region’s geography, “For the most part only toughened, tussocky grass prevails, pale and stubborn but comforting enough, like a well-worn shawl.” Many times, a chapter’s title would not appeal and it was approached with the idea of skimming the material; instead it would be read word for word as it was interesting and the writing was so good.
At 448 pages, it is a bit much to respond to much specifically so below are a few items that caught the attention of this reviewer.
Briefly Things Learned:
Sanskrit word for war translates to something like ‘hunger for cattle.’
The word for an indentured servant came from the tearing of the contract with its created edges, being ‘indented.’
The British Isles became just that after the Doggerland was struck by the unimaginable tsunami generated by the Storegga Slides in Norway over 8,000 years ago.
High-ranking officers had the top-secret details of the D-Day invasion plans and many of them died at sea during the practice sessions (which I had never known about or forgotten) and there were fears the Germans would recover the bodies and thus the plans.
Briefly Things Never Thought About:
Monuments were erected for war dead to honor those who died because Britain’s official policy was to bury the victims where they died rather than return them home. Now the observation that almost every town visited in Britain had a war memorial makes sense.
Iron let people remain aloof but bronze forced them to cooperate as the materials needed were from different locations. This process of making the metal (pouring the two components into a rock mold) also led to the idea of why Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, is eternal and had to be removed from the rock (same for Harry Potter).
Bread gave rise to the repetitive chores, our daily grind. As its prep took countless hours and effort to create—this along with cloth and eventual food preservation. It would be interesting to be in the minds of early humans to figure out how they came up with what needed to be done to items found in the natural world to make things like bread or bronze. What perseverance to create the combinations and procedures! And this isn’t even about the construction of the amazing monuments (Stonehenge) or structures (pyramids).
Local burial began, according to Oliver, to prove the land belonged to those working it, to the farmers as decedents of others who had worked it and that newcomers could not stake a claim. This is an interesting notion and one not previously considered before as usually a spiritual reasoning is given.
A man invented a parachute which military brass rejected as feared pilots would be inclined to quit and bail out early thus jeopardizing the expensive airplanes. Oliver claims that was also why sailors were discouraged from learning to swim—leaders/owners feared they would not take as good of care of the ships. How can people assume such things? They probably felt they were geniuses to think of that when in fact they were cowards who thought it and applied it to others.
Oliver gives credit to the Britons for laying the foundation of the USA with its Declaration of Independence (gleaned from the sentiments of the Declaration of Arbroath) and the fact that the Founding Fathers were British subjects and the nation can thank those like John Paul Jones for its success. Later in the book, Oliver then gives the New World credit for saving the old in the example of the Millennium Dome which was recreated as the O2 Arena. There is a fear now that Americans are only interested in bread and circuses too. If the fascination with reality tv came from Britain (Big Brother anyone), the Americans have created the Kartrashians.[misspelling on purpose] and elected a reality tv star as president. New may not always be better.
Throughout the text, technical and anecdotal history was presented in lyrical, almost poetic writing. Such as when describing a region’s geography, “For the most part only toughened, tussocky grass prevails, pale and stubborn but comforting enough, like a well-worn shawl.” Many times, a chapter’s title would not appeal and it was approached with the idea of skimming the material; instead it would be read word for word as it was interesting and the writing was so good.
At 448 pages, it is a bit much to respond to much specifically so below are a few items that caught the attention of this reviewer.
Briefly Things Learned:
Sanskrit word for war translates to something like ‘hunger for cattle.’
The word for an indentured servant came from the tearing of the contract with its created edges, being ‘indented.’
The British Isles became just that after the Doggerland was struck by the unimaginable tsunami generated by the Storegga Slides in Norway over 8,000 years ago.
High-ranking officers had the top-secret details of the D-Day invasion plans and many of them died at sea during the practice sessions (which I had never known about or forgotten) and there were fears the Germans would recover the bodies and thus the plans.
Briefly Things Never Thought About:
Monuments were erected for war dead to honor those who died because Britain’s official policy was to bury the victims where they died rather than return them home. Now the observation that almost every town visited in Britain had a war memorial makes sense.
Iron let people remain aloof but bronze forced them to cooperate as the materials needed were from different locations. This process of making the metal (pouring the two components into a rock mold) also led to the idea of why Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, is eternal and had to be removed from the rock (same for Harry Potter).
Bread gave rise to the repetitive chores, our daily grind. As its prep took countless hours and effort to create—this along with cloth and eventual food preservation. It would be interesting to be in the minds of early humans to figure out how they came up with what needed to be done to items found in the natural world to make things like bread or bronze. What perseverance to create the combinations and procedures! And this isn’t even about the construction of the amazing monuments (Stonehenge) or structures (pyramids).
Local burial began, according to Oliver, to prove the land belonged to those working it, to the farmers as decedents of others who had worked it and that newcomers could not stake a claim. This is an interesting notion and one not previously considered before as usually a spiritual reasoning is given.
A man invented a parachute which military brass rejected as feared pilots would be inclined to quit and bail out early thus jeopardizing the expensive airplanes. Oliver claims that was also why sailors were discouraged from learning to swim—leaders/owners feared they would not take as good of care of the ships. How can people assume such things? They probably felt they were geniuses to think of that when in fact they were cowards who thought it and applied it to others.
Oliver gives credit to the Britons for laying the foundation of the USA with its Declaration of Independence (gleaned from the sentiments of the Declaration of Arbroath) and the fact that the Founding Fathers were British subjects and the nation can thank those like John Paul Jones for its success. Later in the book, Oliver then gives the New World credit for saving the old in the example of the Millennium Dome which was recreated as the O2 Arena. There is a fear now that Americans are only interested in bread and circuses too. If the fascination with reality tv came from Britain (Big Brother anyone), the Americans have created the Kartrashians.[misspelling on purpose] and elected a reality tv star as president. New may not always be better.
October 31, 2019
Since starting this book I’ve learned that Neil Oliver is better known outside the UK than I had realised - see the comments section below – but for those who don’t know of him, he is an archaeologist who has become well known in the UK as a presenter of TV documentaries. He readily describes this book as a “personal sketch rather than the full picture.” No book of this type could be anything but.
Of the 100 sites featured 59 are in England, 22 in Scotland, 8 in Wales, 6 in the Republic of Ireland, 2 in Northern Ireland, 2 in the Channel Isles and 1 in the Isle of Man. The number of sites in Scotland undoubtedly reflects Neil Oliver’s own interests. For instance, he chooses the war memorial in Portree, Isle of Skye, as emblematic of the effect of WW1 on the villages of the UK. He could of course have chosen any one of thousands (he also includes the Cenotaph). You could probably say that Ireland is under-represented.
I’ve personally visited around 15 of the sites and have passed by another half-dozen without ever going inside. I’d have to say that one or two are not places I would go out of my way to visit.
The author gives the impression of being something of a history romantic. He even repeats the nonsense story about Joseph of Arimathea bringing the infant Jesus to Glastonbury, as well as the one about Pontius Pilate being born in Fortingall in Perthshire. Oliver cheerfully admits that there isn’t a shred of evidence to support either assertion, but goes on to say that they can’t be disproved either. Hmm. In the section on Arbroath Abbey, he repeats a claim, that I’ve seen elsewhere, that the text of the American Declaration of Independence was inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath. I’ve yet to read of any actual evidence for that. Perhaps it exists, but if so Oliver doesn’t refer to it here.
You could never accuse Neil Oliver of a lack of enthusiasm. At times I found his writing a little too passionate. On a more positive note, the descriptions of the sites themselves are definitely worth reading (assuming you have an interest in British history). Some are very well-known but others quite obscure, particularly some of the ancient sites. There are about 20 locations in the book that I haven’t been to that I’d really like to see. It also got me thinking about what sites I might have included in this list, although of course my knowledge is vastly inferior to the author’s. That’s not just a reference to his professional knowledge. When it comes to Britain and Ireland, he’s been everywhere!
Of the 100 sites featured 59 are in England, 22 in Scotland, 8 in Wales, 6 in the Republic of Ireland, 2 in Northern Ireland, 2 in the Channel Isles and 1 in the Isle of Man. The number of sites in Scotland undoubtedly reflects Neil Oliver’s own interests. For instance, he chooses the war memorial in Portree, Isle of Skye, as emblematic of the effect of WW1 on the villages of the UK. He could of course have chosen any one of thousands (he also includes the Cenotaph). You could probably say that Ireland is under-represented.
I’ve personally visited around 15 of the sites and have passed by another half-dozen without ever going inside. I’d have to say that one or two are not places I would go out of my way to visit.
The author gives the impression of being something of a history romantic. He even repeats the nonsense story about Joseph of Arimathea bringing the infant Jesus to Glastonbury, as well as the one about Pontius Pilate being born in Fortingall in Perthshire. Oliver cheerfully admits that there isn’t a shred of evidence to support either assertion, but goes on to say that they can’t be disproved either. Hmm. In the section on Arbroath Abbey, he repeats a claim, that I’ve seen elsewhere, that the text of the American Declaration of Independence was inspired by the Declaration of Arbroath. I’ve yet to read of any actual evidence for that. Perhaps it exists, but if so Oliver doesn’t refer to it here.
You could never accuse Neil Oliver of a lack of enthusiasm. At times I found his writing a little too passionate. On a more positive note, the descriptions of the sites themselves are definitely worth reading (assuming you have an interest in British history). Some are very well-known but others quite obscure, particularly some of the ancient sites. There are about 20 locations in the book that I haven’t been to that I’d really like to see. It also got me thinking about what sites I might have included in this list, although of course my knowledge is vastly inferior to the author’s. That’s not just a reference to his professional knowledge. When it comes to Britain and Ireland, he’s been everywhere!
April 29, 2022
Neil Oliver's book is a love letter to the British Isles with the places he has been fortunate to visit, and those he returns to. The early part of the book covers 'pre-history' and the early settlers of the island, including how we came to be surrounded by seas... including a Tsunami... !! So, you learn something new all the time.
He meanders through history taking a mostly linear approach, finishing with London and Kent. It is an interesting book and includes many places I did not know the history of, our had only seen a passing reference to before. The chapters on each story are by necessity short, but they might spark an interest to go delving deeper into a particular story.
When making a list of 100 places, there are always going to be some that are missing, but perhaps the most obvious for me was Battle - the site of the Battle of Hastings. Oliver did include other battles, including ones that we don't really know where they are, but these tended to be battles between English and Scottish armies, or during the Civil War(s) and not external facing ones.
There is also a lot on Scottish history (as the author is Scottish), which meant a dissapointing lack of Irish or Welsh history. No mention of the Easter Rising or Irish Civil War for example. In fact apart from the dark ages and before little is mentioned of Ireland - except Titanic!
That said, it was none-the-less interesting and in the post-COVID world of people not necessarily wanting to travel far it is good to know there is so much to see and do in our little corner of the world.
He meanders through history taking a mostly linear approach, finishing with London and Kent. It is an interesting book and includes many places I did not know the history of, our had only seen a passing reference to before. The chapters on each story are by necessity short, but they might spark an interest to go delving deeper into a particular story.
When making a list of 100 places, there are always going to be some that are missing, but perhaps the most obvious for me was Battle - the site of the Battle of Hastings. Oliver did include other battles, including ones that we don't really know where they are, but these tended to be battles between English and Scottish armies, or during the Civil War(s) and not external facing ones.
There is also a lot on Scottish history (as the author is Scottish), which meant a dissapointing lack of Irish or Welsh history. No mention of the Easter Rising or Irish Civil War for example. In fact apart from the dark ages and before little is mentioned of Ireland - except Titanic!
That said, it was none-the-less interesting and in the post-COVID world of people not necessarily wanting to travel far it is good to know there is so much to see and do in our little corner of the world.
April 1, 2021
Took my time to get through this, reading it a couple of places here at a time, but have finally finished it today, and it's a timely resource! With travel options restricted what better guide to getting to know our islands better than this passionate celebration and commemoration of a - very personal - list of 100 places across the British Isles.
He takes us from the earliest signs of human presence on this islands many tens of thousands of years ago right up to the present day, it really does a fine job on illustrating just how varied our lives have been, and implicitly suggests we need to be better at remembering ourselves, just how lucky we are to be where we are, and ought to work a little harder to preserve and build upon all the accidental foundational milestones along the way.
The segments vary a little in degree of context provided, but each give you a wonderful flavour of why Neil has selected this or that place, sometimes it is just his own personal connection, others for an undeniably necessary milestone in the stories that have brought us to where we are now.
I've taken my own little notes of these places as mini aide memoires when we can go exploring again this year. Can' wait!
He takes us from the earliest signs of human presence on this islands many tens of thousands of years ago right up to the present day, it really does a fine job on illustrating just how varied our lives have been, and implicitly suggests we need to be better at remembering ourselves, just how lucky we are to be where we are, and ought to work a little harder to preserve and build upon all the accidental foundational milestones along the way.
The segments vary a little in degree of context provided, but each give you a wonderful flavour of why Neil has selected this or that place, sometimes it is just his own personal connection, others for an undeniably necessary milestone in the stories that have brought us to where we are now.
I've taken my own little notes of these places as mini aide memoires when we can go exploring again this year. Can' wait!
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October 23, 2023From my initial 'notes' Theres a rather sad story behind my copy of this book. I'll wait until Ive finished reading to tell it though! So far I'm onto the fourth chapter and although its very interesting, the writing is distinctly 'iffy' in place. Methinks Oliver is trying to be smart and sadly it doesnt work.
I got to page 39 and gave up reading for various reasons. The writing style is ponderous and doesn't have much of a 'flow' to it and the illustrations are decidedly poor - blurred images with washed out colours. I was very disappointed to be honest. I've listened to the podcasts and loved the hearing the tales unfold, but the written work was unimpressive and I'll probably hand it to a charity shop (It originally came from one - the 'sad story' is that this book looked untouched and brand new and yet there was a touching post-it note inside to the recipients - Claudine and Barry. How thoughtless to hand a 'gift' book over to a charity shop without even opening it.
Anyway, I was disappointed with this and I'll remove the 'gift' note before I hand it on to someone who might appreciate it more.
I got to page 39 and gave up reading for various reasons. The writing style is ponderous and doesn't have much of a 'flow' to it and the illustrations are decidedly poor - blurred images with washed out colours. I was very disappointed to be honest. I've listened to the podcasts and loved the hearing the tales unfold, but the written work was unimpressive and I'll probably hand it to a charity shop (It originally came from one - the 'sad story' is that this book looked untouched and brand new and yet there was a touching post-it note inside to the recipients - Claudine and Barry. How thoughtless to hand a 'gift' book over to a charity shop without even opening it.
Anyway, I was disappointed with this and I'll remove the 'gift' note before I hand it on to someone who might appreciate it more.
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