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Britain and Ireland: A Visual Tour of the Enchanted Isles
In 11 chapters, each geographic area comes alive through brisk historical narrative and lavish color photography, art, and maps.
Author Robin Currie details captivating legacies and guides us to sites where their mysteries can still be experienced: Hadrian's Wall, testament to why the Romans didn't occupy Scotland; the Arthurian legends found in medieval Welsh literature; Queen Elizabeth I and her rival Mary Stuart; centuries-old Kilkenny castle in Ireland; the Brontës, Daphne du Maurier, and the rich landscapes that inspired them. Meet the modern citizens of Britain and Ireland as well, and discover what life is like in the islands today. Throughout the book, quick travel tips and fun lists provide intriguing details about language origins, customs, and little-known lore. A complete index rounds out this ultimate reference. There's nothing like it on the market today.
Wide-ranging travel author Robin Currie begins with the rich history of the Enchanted Isles, discussing such topics as the compelling saga of London, the Viking roots of 1,000-year-old Dublin, and the shipbuilding heritage of Belfast, from whence the Titanic steamed into history. We take in the emerald vistas of Ireland, dappled with the passage tombs and ritual sites of the ancient Celts. The rugged hills of Scotland, where the Romans disparaged the inhabitants as Picts ("painted men") for the pigments they wore in battle. And the coasts and castles of Wales, where the ancient language is still very much alive.
These islands have seen much coming and going of peoples over the centuries, and that is no less true today. Get to know the modern inhabitants of the nations, whose faces speak louder than words about diversity of modern Britain and Ireland. Throughout the book, the photography has a special feel, going beyond the expected to bring out the real character of the lands and people. For readers inspired to visit these irresistible lands, Britain and Ireland delivers little-known secrets and insights that the practical travel guides don't, to help us experience the countries more richly and appreciate them more deeply. Quotations from a wide range of individuals describe their favorite sites or landmarks, and lists of superlatives within a particular region (best vistas, oldest pubs, most fascinating ruins) point out spots that the average tourist would never know existed.
Whether to learn, to visit, or simply to dream--National Geographic's Britain and Ireland provides readers with an incomparable tour.
Author Robin Currie details captivating legacies and guides us to sites where their mysteries can still be experienced: Hadrian's Wall, testament to why the Romans didn't occupy Scotland; the Arthurian legends found in medieval Welsh literature; Queen Elizabeth I and her rival Mary Stuart; centuries-old Kilkenny castle in Ireland; the Brontës, Daphne du Maurier, and the rich landscapes that inspired them. Meet the modern citizens of Britain and Ireland as well, and discover what life is like in the islands today. Throughout the book, quick travel tips and fun lists provide intriguing details about language origins, customs, and little-known lore. A complete index rounds out this ultimate reference. There's nothing like it on the market today.
Wide-ranging travel author Robin Currie begins with the rich history of the Enchanted Isles, discussing such topics as the compelling saga of London, the Viking roots of 1,000-year-old Dublin, and the shipbuilding heritage of Belfast, from whence the Titanic steamed into history. We take in the emerald vistas of Ireland, dappled with the passage tombs and ritual sites of the ancient Celts. The rugged hills of Scotland, where the Romans disparaged the inhabitants as Picts ("painted men") for the pigments they wore in battle. And the coasts and castles of Wales, where the ancient language is still very much alive.
These islands have seen much coming and going of peoples over the centuries, and that is no less true today. Get to know the modern inhabitants of the nations, whose faces speak louder than words about diversity of modern Britain and Ireland. Throughout the book, the photography has a special feel, going beyond the expected to bring out the real character of the lands and people. For readers inspired to visit these irresistible lands, Britain and Ireland delivers little-known secrets and insights that the practical travel guides don't, to help us experience the countries more richly and appreciate them more deeply. Quotations from a wide range of individuals describe their favorite sites or landmarks, and lists of superlatives within a particular region (best vistas, oldest pubs, most fascinating ruins) point out spots that the average tourist would never know existed.
Whether to learn, to visit, or simply to dream--National Geographic's Britain and Ireland provides readers with an incomparable tour.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 30, 2017
This is an wonderful, enjoyable introduction to the United Kingdom. The pictures are beautiful and interesting, and the text fluidly moves between subjects of history, culture, local color, geography, politics, religion, etc. Obviously, it doesn't go into immense depth on any of these subjects, but it gives the reader a nice interweaving of all of them. The maps are well-done and helpful. Definitely recommended.
April 14, 2011
Just what you'd expect from National Geographic: loads of beautiful pictures and maps and lots of well-presented information on the history, literature, geography, geology and the present state of the British Isles. I've graduated to a whole new level of Anglophilia.
May 2, 2013
Mildly cheesy travelogue copy but with enough fascinating or witty details to keep me interested, and the photos were breathtaking. Finally gave me a good geographic framework for all the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish history and literature I've read over the years.
February 16, 2014
Beautiful pictures and lots of explanatory text to inspire travel dreams along with practical suggestions for specific cities like London, Edinburgh and Dublin.
December 7, 2016
Meh. It's kind of bland. Not awful, but not extraordinary. Read most of it, but not all. A generic overview of the British Isles.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews