|
|
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The kindgom and the glory..., June 10, 2003
Along with 'British Heritage', the magazine 'Realm' is one of the periodicals I use to keep current both on the current state of Britain's traditional culture as well as the current streams of thought on the history of Britain. Each issue includes articles on the past and the present; it is useful for both residents (to learn more about the isles called home) as well as for tourists, to learn more about what is worthwhile seeing. This magazine will give ideas that go beyond the typical travel suggestion magazine, with a greater discussion of history, as well as the current personalities involved in preserving that history.A recent edition includes articles on prehistoric Britain (concentrating this month on stone-constructs like Stonehenge, as well as others); gardens in Stowe, among the best in England; an artists' colony in Suffolk which brings together both painters and composers; and a feature article on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. These articles show the range of topics that the magazine regularly covers -- recent issues have included highlights of particular castles and historical sites (Bosworth Field), features on counties, and biographical articles on historical characters (this month's issue includes an article on Owain Glyndwr, the 15th century Welshman who fought for independence). Regular features include Letters to the Editor, which in this as in most British publications has a character rather different from American letters-to-the-editor columns; Diary, which highlights openings, special events, and upcoming features; Landmarks in History, concentrating on a particular small piece of history usually with overlooked significance; and Curiosities, which can end up being mostly anything, from a way to cook a peacock to a way to chisel a gargoyle. Perhaps the most interesting article for me in the most recent issue of Realm is an article on Underground London (a perusal of other reviews I have done will show a significant number of reviews on books on London); not just on the London Underground, mind you, but rather the series of lakes, rivers, streams, and disused and incomplete tunnels that run under the city, largely unknown to the great masses of people who live above. 'Today, there is a veritable subterranean city beneath the streets of London. Yet the underground story starts many years before the reign of Queen Victoria. Here is one example. For many years both common publicans and nobles with a taste for wine have stored their bottles in cellars. Few were more noble than Cardinal Wolsey, whose 16th century wine cellar is hidden under today's Ministry of Defence. Curiously, it is more akin in appearance to the crypts of London's medieval churches and monasteries than to the beer cellars in use today.' The article proceeds to discuss all of the various underground findings, from the buried Roman walls in the foundations of modern skyscrapers to the underground lakes that are incorporated into the sewer system. This is a fabulous magazine, a delight for any Anglophile and a treat for those with interest in travelling to Britain. It combines fabulous photography with great writing and interesting topics. Cheers!
|
