Historical Britain: A Comprehensive Account of the Development of Rural and Urban Life and Landscape from Prehistory to the Present Day - Softcover

Wood, Eric S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1860462146 ISBN 13: 9781860462146

Publisher: Harvill Pr, 1997

Synopsis

This volume can be used both as a chronological history of the development of Britain and as a work of reference. It looks at the origins, evolution and progress of Britain's villages, towns, universities, pubs and parks, farms and industries, explaining everything from Iron Age forts to the iron bridges to the Industrial Revolution. Each entry describes the subject under discussion and sets it in the context of the developing pattern of Britain's history. Designed to appeal to the general reader, as well as to students of archaeology and British history, the book illustrates archaeological sites and landscapes, cross-sections and plans of all kinds of buildings, as well as tools, agricultural and industrial machinery. Eric Wood is the author of "Collins Field Guide to Archaeology in Britain". Artist and illustrator Rex Nicholls is the illustrator of "The Times Atlas of World History" and "The Times Atlas of the Bible".

About this title

About the Author

Eric Wood is the author of Collins Field Guide to Archaeology in Britain. Artist and illustrator Rex Nicholls is the illustrator of The Times Atlas of World History and The Times Atlas of the Bible.

From Booklist

This attractive survey of architecture and landscape from Roman Britain to the present covers England, Wales, and Scotland. Compiled by the editor of several editions of Collins Field Guide to Archaeology in Britain, the work argues against the steady disappearance of older structures and environments in favor of new buildings, roads, car parks, developments in farming, and other modern land usage.

Preceding the body of the work is a helpful five-page glossary of terms from architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning. The main text treats major subjects chronologically (villages; parks, gardens, and sports; churches; castles and military works; public utilities; etc.). As applicable, information is given on who erected the structure, what its purpose was at the time of construction, and subsequent changes. The text is generously supported by clear, numbered, black-and-white photographs, maps, and line drawings, and there are six colorplates.

Several lengthy appendixes conclude the work. "Sites and Museums" lists all the sites mentioned in the text. "Further Reading" is an extensive bibliographic essay citing additional sources of information. There are indexes of people, place-names, and subjects. These, and the detailed table of contents at the front, must be used for efficient location of desired information.

Although Historical Britain contains much pertinent information and will be of value to adult readers interested in architecture or British history, it is not arranged for quick reference and thus will probably be more useful as a circulating title than as a reference book.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvill Pr
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1860462146
• ISBN 13: 9781860462146
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 650
• Illustrator: Nicholls Rex