Entertaining and factually rigorous, Hidden Histories will help you decipher the story of Britain's landscape through the features you can see around you.
This spotter’s guide arms the amateur explorer with the crucial
information needed to ‘read’ the landscape and spot the human activities
that have shaped our green and pleasant land. Photographs and diagrams
point out specific details and typical examples to help the curious
spotter ‘get their eye in’ and understand what they’re looking at, or
looking for.
Specially commissioned illustrations bring to life the
processes that shaped the landscape (from medieval ploughing to Roman
road building). Stand-alone capsules explore interesting aspects of
history (like the Highland Clearances or the coming of Christianity),
and text boxes provide definitions of jargon or handy references as
required (like a glossary of what different field names mean).
Each
chapter culminates in a checklist of key details to look for, other
things it might be, and gives details of where to find some of the best
examples in Britain.
Review
..".This fascinating spotter's guide to Britain's
historical landscape - what to see and how to decipher it - is rammed
with intriguing nuggets...You will quickly learn about the mysterious
landscapes that we blunder across so blindly....Ochota's book covers a
satisfying variety of different subjects, from pathways, bridges and old
houses, to hedges, churches, graveyards and field patterns left behind
by medieval ploughmen...it is nuggets such as these that make this
richly detailed book so attractive to read."
- Andrew Holgate, The Sunday Times
"This
book is perfect for anyone who's travelled through the countryside,
scratched their head, and thought, 'what on earth is that thing'?" - Tony Robinson
..".in Hidden Histories,
a definitive classic field guide on a neglected area of interest - the
landscape itself - is born... its scope is as magnificent as our
countryside itself."
- Countryfile Magazine
"A great book
to keep in the car ready for all those family days out and holidays. It
is packed full of great illustrations that bring the book's text to
life."
"What a brilliant idea - I only wish I'd thought of it first! Reading
the ground is so much fun - made even better by the fact it requires no
kit except the human eye mark 1 - still the best tool of all, as you
know. This fine tome is the perfect companion for a good old walk in the
wilds. Fantastically thorough. And so much detail and careful thought,
ideal for all - whether specialist or general enthusiast. I'm loving it
and learning from it. First class! " - Neil Oliver
"This beautifully presented and fascinating guide will enrich any walk and while away many a rainy afternoon." - Trail Magazine
** Signed copies available **