In the Land of Giants: A Journey Through the Dark Ages

A joyful journey of discovery by foot, boat, and even rebuilt motorbike, which connects the tumuli dots of Britain's landscape, river crossings, stones, sacred and trading places via the eyes of a seasoned archeologist and fine writer. His narrative chapters bring to life the technological developments of the monasteries, using the tides to grind grain, for example, side by side with kingship and its divinity, yet never losing sight of the common people. We can rejoice that, though much was lost with Henry's sacking of the monasteries, much remains and is found.

For knowledge, entertainment and insight. An added plus, to add to your vocabulary. Read it with a dictionary nearby.

Half travelogue, half history, In the Land of Giants was an interesting read. Some of the book was lost in the tedious detailing of archaeological digs. Also, I have to be honest and say I wish I had a greater understanding of early British history, for I probably would have enjoyed it more. Nonetheless, Adams is a gifted writer. At the moment you find yourself trailing off from some detail that you don't really understand, he'll pull you back in with a description that puts you there with him in the story. It's relayed geographically, not chronologically, and I would choose it to teach about history, but read it to discover a little more about an earlier time.

Checked this one out of the library in 2017. This is a book that attempts to do two things and really dose neither particularly well. As a history book it's all over the place as a travel log it's equally as useless. I would have a hard time recommending this to travelers because I don't think most people would travel through farms and marsh land. Even the authors girlfriend or wife it's never clearly explained, travels in a rental car part of the way. I think that this would make a much better documentary than book as a reader you don't feel that much of a connection to the land or it's history. I think it would benefit from a much more visual representation. I would prefer one small area and one concise piece of history something more focused where I could feel a real appreciation for the land and it history. Instead of OK lets find food a place to sleep oh no it's raining here is a speck of history that you won't remember or care about on to the next spot. I also would have liked a better map instead of the hand drawn mess your given. A modern map would have been better.

This book is not rich in historical context. If you are curious about the dark ages this book is not for you. If you want to read a guy who is waxing poetic about his walk in the outdoors... well here you go luckily this gentleman published this hiking journal for you to read.

Evocative, insightful, and one can't help but admire his determination in walking (literally) through much of the landscape that represents dark age Britain...through rain, sleet, and footpaths choked with thorns. As a result I've added a couple of places to my "must visit in the UK" list.

If I wrote a diary about my next vacation or camping trip and published it on FB it would look much like this.

Good but too similar to the book I have with the same title 🙁