Re: Tom Clare - Prehistoric Monuments - Lake District

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Tom Clare — Prehistoric Monuments — Lake District

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fitzcoraldo Oct 29, 2007 13:37:08

Replying to Spaceship mark

Howdo Mark
Personally I hoped for something a little more ‘meaty’ but I guess that’s because I’ve spent a fair bit of time researching and visiting the area and without trying to sound big-headed, have a little more knowledge of many of the areas he speaks about than many Lakeland visitors. That said, I have definitely learned a lot from the book.
I guess I was expecting a book that would distil all diverse ideas and theories regarding Cumbrian Prehistory into one undisputable truth and provide me with the answers to all my questions. Is that too much to ask?
All in all it’s a really nice book with lots of information especially about some of the lesser known sites; I would recommend anyone with an interest in the area to buy it. It sits well beside Waterhouse’s guide to the stone circles of Cumbria, Bradley’s interpreting the axe trade and Beckensall’s Rock Art of Cumbria.

cheers
fitz

FourWinds Oct 29, 2007 15:21:06

Replying to fitzcoraldo

I'd agree with your comments on this one. It's nicley done, but from the bits I've read so far I do want a bit more. I don't know the area like yourself, so a lot of the info is new to me and very welcome.

FourWinds Oct 29, 2007 15:21:10

Replying to fitzcoraldo

rockartwolf Oct 29, 2007 20:04:58

Replying to fitzcoraldo

Had the book a couple of weeks now, a good book with lots of info, but the more you read it, you realise that there is something missing. Its hard to put your finger on what is missing, maybe its the style of the book, or who it's aimed at, or a mixture of a things. Even though i live in Cumbria, it still managed to show me some sites i knew nothing about, but perhaps doesn't go far enough into those sites for me.
I also feel the way the book looks doesn't feel right, its a list of sites in each area without something to link all the areas together. A map for each area would have helped.

Even with the small faults the book is a worthy addition to the collection.

whipangel Nov 28, 2007 22:56:09

Replying to fitzcoraldo

I'm looking forward to getting hold of this - Tom gave a ( bloody riveting ) seminar on reassessing the Cumbrian sites recently - I'm familiar with the sites but not so familiar with some of the theories put forward in the last few decades.

Some interesting insights into the development from structures of timber into stone, and how timber monuments probably continued alongside, and thoughts on the siting of monuments beside flood plains (Long Meg / Mayburgh / KART).

I'm Kicking myself now because I put in an Amazon order for textbooks just days later and forgot to bung his book on.