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Amazon.co.uk Review
Titles don't come any less inspiring than A272. But Pieter Boogaart's ode is not so much to the road itself but to the sights that can be found on either side. The A272 "represents England", the author explains in his preface. "It captures the Englishness of English life." Though born in the Netherlands, Pieter Boogaart developed Anglophilia at an early age, going on to teach English language and literature for 20 years. English roads, he believes, are beautiful, the A272 in particular. It weaves its way from Poundford in East Sussex 90 miles west--between two sets of hills, the North and South Downs--to Stockbridge in Hampshire.
The introduction begins with a fascinating analysis of roads in general, telling of connections between settlements, and of England's early occupation by the Angles and the Saxons. Travel among peasants was rare, and even as late as the 16th Century travel remained unpopular to all but the very rich. This, for good or bad, is no longer the case, with hundreds of thousands of cars using the A272 every day.
The book's layout is a little confusing, with each page divided into five sections. Columns to the left and right contain notes (biographical details, stories, poems, technical terms), the upper and lower sections describe sights found up to seven miles north and south of the road respectively, while the central section describes a high-spirited journey along the road itself. Although the subject matter might not initially appeal, Boogaart's enthusiasm is infectious. Colour photographs illustrate every page, showing sights as varied as Wisborough Green church, the gardens of Nymans and the Cheesefoot Head crop circles.--Daren King --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Fantabulous' John McCarthy, Excess Baggage 'Astonishing' Jeremy Paxman, Newsnight 'Delightful' Woman's Hour 'Remarkable' Daily Telegraph 'Extraordinary' The Independent 'One of the most original, crazy, informative and enjoyable books ever' Sarah Anderson, The Travel Bookshop 'Rather wonderful' Iain Sinclair 'A bound folly' Art Quarterly 'The most eccentric and fascinating guidebook we have ever seen' John Sandoe Bookshop 'Road all about it!' The Sun
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I agree with the previous writer in that I too must have been wandering around with my eyes closed.
I initially borrowed this book from my local library, but loved it so much that I bought my own copy.
The book is stuffed to the gills with anecdotes, stories of interesting characters and pictures of follies, castles, pub signs, statues and bridges. All in the vicinity of the road. A fascinating read.
I initially borrowed this book from my local library, but loved it so much that I bought my own copy.
The book is stuffed to the gills with anecdotes, stories of interesting characters and pictures of follies, castles, pub signs, statues and bridges. All in the vicinity of the road. A fascinating read.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Really informative and entertaining travel book about the beautiful and historic heart of England
21 Mar 2011
Format:Paperback
This is a really informative and entertaining travel book, and very unusual in taking a road as its inspiration. The authors realised that the A272, an attractive road that sweeps for over 90 miles east-west through the heart of southern England, running through the beautiful Weald of Sussex and Downs of Hampshire, also travels through the heart of English culture, history and landscape: as Boogaart, an ardently Anglophile Dutchman says, the country it travels through is the epitome of England. The book represents the results of his and his wife's voyage of discovery into the verdant and historic land that lies 20-30 miles north and south of the road. It's clear that their inquisitiveness about the things they have found has led them to many other discoveries about England, which they write about entertainingly in the book, whether interesting facts about the many famous writers, musicians and artists who have lived here, or about the origins of prehistoric and historical features they see, or medieval hunting, ice-houses, and many other things, even teddy bears. The amount of information they have discovered and presented in the book is phenomenal. This also accounts for one of the odd features of the book, the structure of the pages, where there is a narrative running from page to page but in addition, on either side and at the top and bottom of each page, there are separate narratives conveying a miscellany of supporting information around the subject matter in question. This is a quirky feature but I thought it added to the interest and fun of the book. I've lived in this part of England for almost 20 years and share Boogaart's love and enthusiasm for this beautiful, wonderful and historic part of our country. I bought his book when it first came out and I bought the updated edition. Anyone who lives in this part of south-east England or who are thinking of coming here as tourists should try to get their hands on this book. Highly recommended.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Quirky, amusing and fascinating. I felt ashamed that I had clearly been wandering around with my eyes closed for many years. This book is a real eye-opener.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant - if you live near the South Downs buy it!
This book is crammed with information about the South Downs and Sussex Weald areas, based on the A road that runs through them. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Charlie G
Ode less travelled
Bought as a gift. Recipient not sure, as the layout is rather strange. I like it very much however, and have read quite a lot of it. Ideas for places to go are unusual.
Published 4 months ago by F. M. Callaghan
Worthy of an ode of its own
I live very close to the A272 and I bought the first edition of this book out of sheer curiosity, and I was utterly charmed by it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A. Clews
An exemplar of a book
This is a beautiful book. It is a perfect example of 'a passion in print', as apposed to commissioned book production. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Social Drinker
Ode(ious) Road
A very comprehensive guide to the only very busy major east-west arterial road in the South of England. Read more
Published 15 months ago by daddylonglegs
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