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pufferfish TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars
Insanely comprehensive book
24 October 2018
OK, I'll admit it. When I opened this book my first thought was "Oh, wow, what have I gotten myself into now".
I am no stranger to megalithic sites, having visited maybe...20 so far in my life, more or less. My experience is that there's two types of site: those you drive up to, [optionally] pay, go into, see, leave, and those you drive to the vague location of, get lost, spend hours trying to find, leave, never find. So I guess that's what this book is for.
The guy who authors the book runs a site which basically covers the same material so it looks like the material was collated (not simply copied apparently) and made into a book. I hate to imagine how much effort this was, a collaborative effort apparently.
It's a thick wedge of a book, yet also a paperback, so you can carry it in your car or backpack or whatever (if you need that extra kilogram or so!) and use it as a portable reference. It's remarkably comprehensive. I could have done with it a few times when I got lost following those trememdously vague "brown signs".
Definitely recommend, it's both a good reference book and a good field guide.
L. A. Hardy VINE VOICE 4.0 out of 5 stars
Written in Stone
1 November 2018
This mighty tome is a treasure trove of over 1,000 megalithic sites all across the British Isles, chosen by contributors to the Megalithic Portal website. The colour photographs make it a very attractive book to leaf through, while the written material covers not only the names and locations of the sites, but also includes a very scholarly introductory section that puts the sites into a historical context, along with snippets and anecdotes about the sites from visitors (including warnings about ground conditions in poor weather - very much appreciated) and a wide-ranging selection of mini-articles on a host of topics, from archaeoastronomy to a selection of music inspired by various stones!
On a practical note, you aren’t going to want to sling this in your rucksack as you head off to visit the various sites - it’s far too large for that. But, thankfully, there is the Megalithic Portal website, and they even have their own app (for which there is a small charge). (Although, given the remoteness of some of the sites included, relying on modern technology may not be the most sensible thing to do but again, each entry comes with full map references for those who prefer the old-fashioned paper method of navigation.)
If you have an interest in megalithic sites, this is a wonderfully comprehensive and fascinating book on the subject that serves to remind us that, even in this day and age, there may be something ancient still awaiting discovery just below the surface.
Pompom VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars
Very comprehensive
8 October 2018
This is a very comprehensive and detailed guide to the megalithic sites of Britain and Ireland, accompanied by photos and diagrams of the sites. I'd have liked a little more detail on certain sites about how stones line up with elements at different times of the year and possible interpretation. Brilliant for the armchair enthusiast, as well as a useful tome to plan visits. Recommended.
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