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'The guide is small enough to be carried in a backpack and ... will always be ready to beguile the whimsical reader, or to encourage the curious' --Anne Brundle
Product Description
Orkney: A Historical Guide is a marvelous companion to the fascinating Orkney islands, offering a broad overview of their history. Starting with the prehistoric period, from which survives the famous settlement of Skara Brae, it goes on to discuss the flowering of the Celtic Church in the sixth and seventh centuries and the subsequent invasion by the Vikings, who settled there in large numbers and established a powerful Norse earldom. This was perhaps the most dynamic period of Orkney's history, and is characterised in the famous Orkneyinga Saga, one of the major literary works of its time. Orkney lies only twenty miles north of mainland Scotland, yet for many centuries its culture was more Scandanavian than Scottish. Strong westerly winds account for the scarcity of trees on Orkney and for the tradition of well-constructed stone buildings. As a result, exceptionally well-preserved remains are to be found in the islands, providing a rounded view of society through the ages. Sites and remains to be explored include settlements from the stone age, stone circles and burials from the bronze age, iron-age brochs, Viking castles, the magnificent cathedral of St Magnus, Renaissance palaces, a Martello tower from the Napoleonic Wars and numerous remains from the Second World War. This new edition has been revised and updated, and includes a new chapter which sheds light on exciting and recent findings.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This handy little book provides a great historical introduction to Orkney. It gives a brief historical outline of each period in the islands' (very long) history together with details of the sort of sites and monuments which survive from said period, and then a gazetteer of the actual sites and whether or not they are accessible to the public.
It is probably a better buy, in that respect, than Historic Scotland's "The Ancient Monuments of Orkney" (being much more comprehensive) and would make an excellent companion to the masterful, must-buy "Orkney: An Illustrated Architectural Guide" by Leslie Burgher. Only downside: no colour photos. But then other books fill that niche.
It is probably a better buy, in that respect, than Historic Scotland's "The Ancient Monuments of Orkney" (being much more comprehensive) and would make an excellent companion to the masterful, must-buy "Orkney: An Illustrated Architectural Guide" by Leslie Burgher. Only downside: no colour photos. But then other books fill that niche.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I will be visiting Orkney as a tourist but was interested and willing to get a little background. I found this book not well illustrated and not well written, could not finish it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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1 review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Great archaeological tour book
29 May 2009
Format:Paperback
This book was very handy to have for quick reference and information on almost all the major sites in the Orkney Islands. Sufficient descriptions and detail to assist in planning the trip and each day's outings.
Good choice and I would recommend it.
Good choice and I would recommend it.
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