Stonehenge: A History in Photographs [Hardcover]

Julian Richards (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1850748950 | ISBN-13: 978-1850748953 | Publication Date: December 1, 2004

ince the earliest days of the medium photographers have been drawn to the power and beauty of this mysterious and iconic landmark. The photographs they have taken have added to our knowledge and understanding of the site, as well as showing the changes in the surrounding landscape. Renowned TV historian and Stonehenge expert Julian Richards traces the development of photography of Stonehenge, from the earliest known shot (taken in 1853 and belonging to Prince Albert's personal collection) to modern day thermal imaging shots. He explains what they tell us about various excavations and discoveries and how these have contributed to our understanding of the site. But more than this the photographs give us a fascinating cultural history of Britain's best known monument. From shots of Victorian ladies picnicking on the collapsed stones (much of the site was reconstructed in the 1920's) to shots of World War 1 bombers parked behind them (the RAF petitioned for the stones to be demolished in the First World War as they were distracting pilots from the nearby air base), to mass Druidic ceremonies in the 1920's, the book gives a unique and intriguing picture to the ever changing nature of the site. At the same time the author uses remarkable aerial shots to explain the archaeology of the immense ceremonial landscape of the surrounding area. Julian Richards is a professional archaeologist. He is also presenter of televisions Meet the Ancestors and Blood of the Vikings, as well as the author of the accompanying tie-in books.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julian Richards is a professional archaeologist. He is also presenter of televisions Meet the Ancestors and Blood of the Vikings, as well as the author of the accompanying tie-in books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 118 pages
• Publisher: English Heritage (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850748950
• ISBN-13: 978-1850748953
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,546,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stonehenge: A History in Photographs, May 23, 2011

By 

Neil Wiseman (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Stonehenge: A History in Photographs (Hardcover)

Popular UK Archeologist Dr. Julian Richards has assembled an interesting photographic panoply of iconic Stonehenge in his 2004 coffee-table book. Of excellent 60# satin paper quality, even those who have only a passing interest in the fabled monument will find enjoyment here, as depictions of the time-honored edifice range from the first 1853 images to the near-present. More knowledgeable students will find the chronicled accounts of the three major Restorations fascinating, as these had not been widely published previously.
Ultimately a book of captions, Dr. Richards has used his long expertise with Stonehenge to flavor passages with anecdotal tales which might otherwise be forgotten. Pictures from the 1930's and '40's for example are a lovely wander down a more rural English Memory Lane.
While not exactly lighthearted, the presentation steers a middle course when areas of controversy come near, such as the devastation rendered to the monument by William Hawley in the 1920's -- and with no reference at all to the more recent so-called `Bean Field War' of the mid-1980's. These incidental omissions no doubt stem from his close association with English Heritage, the watchdog entity which oversees the care and public presentation of Stonehenge and the myriad other ancient sites thereabout. Understandably, "PC" is King.
Editorially, some captions are marginally repetitious, though only here and there, and on the whole I recommend this book to both curious browser and armchair student alike.
ND Wiseman

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book full of wonderful photographs, February 3, 2010

By 

Richard Albright (POCATELLO, IDAHO, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stonehenge: A History in Photographs (Hardcover)

Julian Richards, in his new book, Stonehenge, A History in Photographs, has brought life to Stonehenge. Julian gives a concise and precise look at the modern history of the stones. The photographs he chose to include in this book range from 1853 to 2004. He begins with a condensed but needed history of photography, for without a "how it all started," we would be left with an incomplete view.
Julian takes us from the first modern discoveries around the stones, covering its reconstruction, involving mans world wars and after that he includes modern celebrations and modern views of the stones. I now see the stones as the unchanging element on the landscape with life (people) buzzing all around in a blur.
Mr. Richards uses a fresh approach to history. It's about people. And that is all of us.
English Heritage has produced a beautiful book. It is well printed with rich black and white photographs. Thank you Julian and thank you English Heritage.

5.0 out of 5 stars Stonehnege Photos, October 26, 2005

By 

Juris Ozols (Minneapolis MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stonehenge: A History in Photographs (Hardcover)

Wonderful book, gives all kinds of insights into Stonehnege. Needed some color photos, and perhaps something more on the Stonehenge environs.