- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: The Harvill Press; illustrated edition edition (23 Sep 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1860466613
- ISBN-13: 978-1860466618
- Product Dimensions: 25.4 x 25.2 x 2.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
749,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #98 in Books > History > Archaeology > By Period > Celtic, Saxon, Viking & Nordic
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Categorised by the publisher as archaeology/history/photography, Circles of Stone does indeed straddle all these subjects. The volume is in itself a work of art, a stimulating introduction to a fascinating aspect of prehistory and a useful work of reference for anyone with an interest in ancient monuments. Fabulous photographs of 70 stone circles from all over the British Isles are accompanied by a factually rich text. The author, an established authority on prehistoric megaliths, gives an interesting impression of how the stones have been variously used and perceived through their long histories. Whilst allowing legend a voice, this text is not the place to find detailed speculation on prehistoric rites or ancient astronomy; its scope is more pragmatic and it includes details of the form and location of each monument and other interesting sites. Chronologically arranged, the selection begins with the circles of the Late Neolithic and ends in the Middle Bronze Age, showing a great variety of form over 2000 years. There is variety too in the photographic views, from panoramas to zoomed-in textural detail. The photographs themselves are dramatic. Taken in many different light conditions, they often capture the stones at their most evocative moments, showing how the illumination of the Sun and Moon and the form of the surrounding landscape is a vital part of their aura--just as was the case in prehistory. --Karen Tiley
Product Description
The beginnings, development and gradual end of stone circles are explored in this illustrated guide, combining colour photography with scientific survey. Their significance and use, with astronomical alignments to the sun and moon and today's beliefs that human sacrifices were part of the rituals in the megalithic rings are explained.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the amazing photography of Max Milligan with expert text,
By A Customer
This review is from: Circles of Stone (Hardcover)
Here is my first impression of the book: Wow! I can see how some people got the idea that this book was an update of Burl's 1976 'Stone Circles of the British Isles'. It covers seventy sites in 230 pages and it's no coffee table book. Each circle has an outline plan and most sites have three or four photos giving Milligan the chance to pick interesting angles and individual stones. This is a philosophy I have tried to follow on the web where photos are almost free, but your average book shows one rather boring overall view of each site if you're lucky. This, and things like the super-strokeable front and end-papers are why this book costs what it does. Milligan is described as one of Britain's most exciting new photographers, and he tackles the subject with energy. Commendably, he uses no ghastly graduated filters or other such fiddles. It hardly needs saying that Burl's lucid text and pithy wit are a pleasure, as always. There's even a 'carved head' from the Ring of Brodgar (frost action says Aubrey). It's unusual in that there are no maps, and the circles are in order of date and name. Perhaps it's trying to steer away from being thought of as a guide book. Stirring the sites together like this makes for a fresh approach, and gives me the urge to reach again into the sack of reviewer's clichés and use the word juxtaposition. Apparently Circles of Stone was delayed three months from a July launch because the photography didn't come out 100% first time. This fanatic attention to quality is apparent throughout, and is doubtless why the Dr Burl was approached to write the text. Step aside Julian Cope, suddenly your holiday snaps look rather sad. I've run out of stars: 5/5!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A visual feast with expert succinct text - Excellent!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Circles of Stone (Hardcover)
I bought this book having been bowled over by Max Milligan's photography in 'Realm of the Incas'. Rarely do colour pictures capture the subtleties of Black and White photographs, and yet with nearly all his prints, texture and light are as important as the overall structure. For a snapper like me, his books teach you as much about photography as the fascinating subject matters chosen. Aubrey Burl, who I understand is THE authority on Stone Circles, manages to keep the information lively and readable. A really great book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb overview, beautifully presented. Grid refs useful,
By A Customer
This review is from: Circles of Stone (Hardcover)
Stunning quality of both photographs and information. Apparently shot in every season, weather and time of day, including beautiful long exposures under the full moon. I particularly liked the idea of including grid references for these facinating sites. We intend to visit many!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews |
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Architecture > Types of Architecture > Memorials & Monuments
- Books > History > Ancient History & Civilisation
- Books > History > Archaeology > By Period > Celtic, Saxon, Viking & Nordic
- Books > History > Archaeology > By Period > Prehistoric
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Ireland
- Books > History > Europe > Germany
- Books > History > World History
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences
- Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Europe > Ireland
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
