Stonehenge: The story so far

by Julian C. Richards

Stonehenge is, and always will be, not only the ultimate symbol of prehistoric achievement but one of the past's most enduring mysteries. In " The Story So Far", Julian Richards - archaeologist, broadcaster and Stonehenge fanatic - takes a fresh and very personal look at his favourite ancient monument. After introducing Stonehenge and its surrounding ancient landscape, the first section outlines its history, from magic and Merlin to the obsessive diggers of the 19th century. The 20th century is a story of collapse and restoration, of changing ownership and conflict, of botched excavations and the final triumph of science in unlocking some of the stones' most closely guarded secrets. Science provides the answers to some of the big when was Stonehenge built? Who built it and how? And, perhaps most difficult of all, why? The final section takes the reader back to the Age of Stonehenge, and using all of the accumulated evidence of centuries of exploration, tells the unfolding story of Britain's greatest prehistoric temple and its builders.

Genres: History, Reference

350 pages, Hardcover

First published December 10, 2006

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Clear and very readable analysis and explanation of Stonehenge - the excavations, the theories of how it was built and what it was for. Lots of really interesting facts and no claims to know things we really can't be sure of. Glorious pictures and useful maps.

[Trevor Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to for Stonehenge aficionados. It may be a bit slow and detailed for the average reader (who hasn't read much history or archaeology) to enjoy reading all the way through, but the layout and pictures would still make it an easy and enjoyable book for those readers to skim through.