Customer Reviews

Stonehenge: A History in Photographs

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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