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Francis Pryor

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Stonehenge: The Story of a Sacred Landscape Hardcover – February 6, 2018

by Francis Pryor (Author)

130

Part of: The Landmark Library (8 books)

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An illustrated, evocative narrative of the nature and history of Stonehenge that places the enigmatic stone megaliths in a wider cultural context.

Perched on the chalk uplands of Salisbury Plain, the megaliths of Stonehenge offer one of the most recognizable outlines of any ancient structure. Its purpose—place of worship, sacrificial arena, giant calendar—is unknown, but its story is one of the most extraordinary of any of the world's prehistoric monuments.

Constructed in several phases over a period of some 1500 years, beginning in 3000 BC, Stonehenge's key elements are its “bluestones,” transported from West Wales by unexplained means, and its sarsen stones quarried from the nearby Marlborough Downs.

Francis Pryor delivers a rigorous account of the nature and history of Stonehenge, but also places the enigmatic monument in a wider cultural context, bringing acute insight into how antiquarians, scholars, writers, artists–and even neopagans—have interpreted the mystery over the centuries.

Part of series

The Landmark Library
Print length

208 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Pegasus Books
Publication date

February 6, 2018
Dimensions

6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1681776405
ISBN-13

978-1681776408
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Mike Parker Pearson
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Francis Pryor
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Brita Granstrom
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Mike Parker Pearson
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pryor’s journalistic writing and vast knowledge make this a joy for historians and armchair archaeologists alike." ― Kirkus Reviews

"Eminent British archaeologist Pryor examines Stonehenge, the most famous of all ancient British landmarks, in a work that balances the scholarly and the popular. A visually appealing and intellectually stimulating addition to the popular understanding of Stonehenge." ― Publishers Weekly

"Designed with concision and splendid visual illustration [revealing] the past decade's worth of new discovery. Pryor is especially able in conveying the dynamism of prehistory." ― The Times Literary Supplement (UK)

"This beautifully produced book brings us up to date with the latest in Stonehenge thinking. This splendid book is nearly as good as wandering among the stones themselves." ― The Daily Mail

"A masterful overview of the historical hotspot. Pryor’s personable, authoritative prose is just what's needed to breathe life into a subject you might have thought long exhausted." ― History Revealed

"Accompanied by beautiful photographs and illustrations, the book takes us back in time to appreciate the complexity and spiritual significance of a 4,000-year-old monument." ― BBC Countryfile

"A beautifully written and illustrated book. A compelling picture of the forces that formed Stonehenge." ― The Mail on Sunday

"Pryor has a way with words that somehow simplify complex data and make it interesting and intelligible for the general reader. This is undoubtedly a most enjoyable read." ― Prehistoric Society

About the Author

Francis Pryor is one of Britain's most distinguished archaeologists and the excavator of Flag Fen. He is the author of Home, Britain BC, Britain AD, Seahenge, and The Making of the British Landscape.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pegasus Books (February 6, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1681776405
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681776408
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #133 in Welsh History
- #1,766 in England History
- #1,904 in Archaeology (Books)

Customer Reviews:
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4.6 out of 5

130 global ratings

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W. N.

Best source of information on Stonehenge. A joy to read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018

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I read this book while backpacking through Dorset and Wiltshire, to visit Stonehenge, Avebury and other sites; made a special trip even more special. To get the most out of Stonehenge, read this book, visit Stonehenge, and the Salisbury Museum. Pryor makes an excellent argument that Stonehenge wasn't a 'thing' but more of a process, it was something, then it became something else, and even now it's changing. What I found absolutely fascinating is that the people (my ancestors) who built the megalith were likely unaware of the glacier grooves in the bedrock, by then buried for thousands of years--but which were oriented to the winter solstice. Older ancestors noticed these, declared the place sacred. By the time their descendants were raising these stones no one remembered these grooves. The idea for this site continued long after the original source was lost....(until about 20 years ago (which is also part of the process of Stonehenge).
All the pieces and this and that, and what's that over there... this book pulls it all together, making you another Stonehenge pilgrim.

6 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Well worth owning!

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2018

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Very concise and well written. It's funny, two months ago I wrote to the archaeologist that has been in charge of a recent dig in or near the monument asking for a recommendation for the most comprehensive book available about Stonehenge. I didn't even bother responding. Then, our of the blue i get this recommendation from Amazon about it. Go figure.
This will answers 90% of the questions you might have in an informative ,remembrance style. It was as if I were talking to the author. So, thanks for the work.

4 people found this helpful

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David J.

Jeff Bezos did NOT build Stonehenge?

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2022

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Stellar Study, stellar writing and stellar illustrations/images with a very accessible, warm narrative style from one of the leading prehistory archaeologists in England.

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2019

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I enjoyed this reading because it was easy to understand easy to read and very enjoyable to transition through out without a lot of heavy documentation and supposition regarding the site. It was in line with Nova’s documentaries on this subject matter.

2 people found this helpful

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Stanley Palombo

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2022

Read it

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

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This was a helpful book for a research paper I was doing on Stonehenge. Very informative and has a lot of other sources that were helpful also. A+

One person found this helpful

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Dixie

Delighted to find & receive.

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021

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Mint condition!!! Exceptionally well packed. Contents more than expected.

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Lady in Dallas

Very entertaining book

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021

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If you enjoy Time Team you will enjoy this book.

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Marlene Lawrence

Sehr zufrieden

Reviewed in Germany on February 13, 2019

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Das Produkt kam in einem einwandfreien Zustand. Sehr zufrieden.

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Jack Frost

One of Franci Pryor's best .....................

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2016

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This is one of Francis Pryor's best books. In some previous books there has been a tendency to ramble into anecdotes away from the main topic. Here, by and large he sticks closely to the topic he is writing about and the book benefits greatly from this approach. Dr Pryor provides a tightly written chronological overview of the current archaeological understanding of Stonehenge within its landscape. It is a pleasant straightforward read that I finished in two sessions and felt I had gained a great deal. It has clear colour diagrams of the various phases of the monument and some very attractive reproductions of paintings by Turner, Constable and others. There are some very useful updates from Mike Parker-Pearson's 2012 book which are of interest particularly with reference to the formative stage of Stonehenge. Also it is a very pleasant book to handle and the illustrations have an interesting texture to them A thoroughly good buy.

11 people found this helpful

Annathejeweller

LOVELY, WELL WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED LITTLE BOOK

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2021

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I love this book , It’s written as all Francis Pryor works are, in an excellent no nonsense idiom, with all the salient facts and more covered . This little book however is beautiful as well as interesting, because it contains some gorgeous illustrations by period painters and illustrators of the henge, including John Piper et al. This is a lovely treat if you are interested in the story of our landscape or indeed as a gift for a friend who likes historical or archaeological topics .

Mr. Allan Andrews

RECOMMENDED

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2021

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If anyone has a little knowledge of Stonehenge and its surroundings, but would like to know the whens, the hows, also the whys, about its formation, then this book is highly recommended.
It's easy to read for the layperson without having to cope with archaeological jargon, yet there are plenty of the author's cross references to related literature.

Mr

A good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2016

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A good read

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Stonehenge: The Story of a Sacred Landscape Hardcover – February 6, 2018

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