Great Tales From English History: Cheddar Man to DNA

(Hardback)

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Description

From ancient times to the present day, the story of England has been laced with drama, intrigue, courage and passion - a rich and vibrant narrative of heroes and villains, kings and rebels, artists and highwaymen, bishops and scientists. In a three-volume series, Robert Lacey aims to capture 100 of the most pivotal moments: the stories and extraordinary characters who helped shape a nation. This first volume begins in 7150 BC with the life and death of Cheddar Man and ends in 1381 with Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt. We meet the Greek navigator Pytheus, whose description of the Celts as prettanike (the "painted people") yielded the Latin word Britannici. We witness the Roman victory celebrations of AD 43, where a squadron of elephants were paraded through Colchester, and we visit the New Forest in 1100, and the mysterious shooting of King William Rufus. With insight, humour and detail, Robert Lacey brings to life the stories that made England, from Ethelred the Unready to Richard the Lionheart, the Black Prince to the Venerable Bede.

Reviews

Beautifully written, full of things you didn't know and well worth a read if you want a new view on stories you though you already understood - LIVING HISTORY

A great introduction to history and legend for children and adults who've forgotten - OBSERVER

These human high-spots flash past like a newsreel with the leading characters in close-up, leaving you thinking - what an exceptional country ours is to produce so many interesting people - Books of the Year, DAILY MAIL

Lacey's lively snapshots are always pithy and are delivered with a winning gung-ho enthusiasm - Books of the Year, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Author Bio

A former journalist, Robert Lacey won international renown for his book MAJESTY in 1977. He went on to become a full-time writer and has published numerous bestsellers since, including THE YEAR 1000.