John Stewart Collis was a British author best known for his account of working on farms during the Second World War. His writing often explores the profound connection between humanity and the natural world, emphasizing the beauty and challenges inherent in rural life. Collis's prose is direct and observational, capturing the essence of simple living and labor. His work offers a timeless perspective on our relationship with the earth and the cycles of nature.
Exploring key concepts like population movement, diffusion, and trade, this book offers a fresh perspective on social structure and spatial organization. It presents innovative insights into the Celts, challenging traditional views and encouraging readers to reconsider established narratives in historical analysis. The work invites a deeper understanding of how these elements interact within historical contexts.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT MACFARLANEDuring the Second World War, John Stewart Collis volunteered to leave his comfortable life as an academic to work on the land for the war effort.
Exploring the concept of 'Celtic,' this book delves into its mythical and romanticized interpretations, questioning its true meaning. It investigates the historical presence of Celts in Britain and examines the connections between ancient Celts and modern perceptions. The narrative seeks to clarify misconceptions while providing insights into cultural identity and heritage, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in history and anthropology.
In an age when image and self-promotion increasingly dominate the rock industry, Van Morrison remains a proud, belligerent outsider. As an intensely private man and a revelatory performer, he has communicated more deeply within the limits of rock songwriting - and has been less responsive to the obsessional inquiries of the media - than almost any other artist. Ever since connecting with classic American jazz, blues, and gospel music during his Belfast youth, Van Morrison has stayed one step ahead of fellow musicians, fans, and critics. From the explosive teenage days with Them, through the creation of 1968's seminal Astral Weeks, to the vocal and spiritual experimentation of Veedon Fleece and Into the Music, Morrison has never stopped developing complex lyrical and instrumental visions that defy easy classification. Van Morrison's status in the rock community has never been higher. Enjoying commercial success, the recognition of a younger generation, and collaborations ranging from John Lee Hooker to Tom Jones, he continues to dazzle and beguile his audience. In this definitive survey of Van Morrison's life and music, John Collis charts the scale of his achievement and the sources of his creativity, and provides stimulating assessments of his music. Drawing on interviews with those closest to Morrison at every stage of his career, with a full discography and many rare photographs, Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech of the Heart offers a unique insight into the enduring enigma of one of rock's greatest singer-songwriters and most instantly recognizable voices
History of the genre, thoroughly researched with beautiful photographs.
This concise and fully illustrated introduction to methods of excavation describes a technique that is essential for all kinds of archaeology. It presents new ideas on excavation techniques and challenges traditional approaches to site organisation and recording. John Collis uses his 40 years of excavation experience to recommend practical solutions to problems, and considers the impact of computerisation and other technical innovations. He also describes the history and development of archaeological excavation which provides a background to the methods employed today. This practical common sense guide should find a place on the bookshelf of everyone who practices archaeology on a professional or amateur basis, and is illuminating reading for anyone who wants to understand how archaeologists can recover the past by digging in the soil.