The story of the origins of the British and the Irish peoples, from the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000BC to the eve of the Norman Conquest - who they were, where they came from, and how they related to one another.
Barry Cunliffe Books







A long history of the Bretons, from prehistoric times to the present, and the very close relationship they have had with their British neighbours. It is a story of a fiercely independent people and their struggle to maintain their distinctive identity.
By steppe, desert, and ocean : the birth of Eurasia
- 530 pages
- 19 hours of reading
By Steppe, Desert, and Ocean is nothing less than the story of how humans first started building the globalized world we know today. Set on a huge continental stage, from Europe to China, it is a tale covering over 10,000 years, from the origins of farming around 9000 BC to the expansion ofthe Mongols in the thirteenth century AD.An unashamedly "big history", it charts the development of European, Near Eastern, and Chinese civilizations and the growing links between them by way of the Indian Ocean, the silk Roads, and the great steppe corridor (which crucially allowed horse riders to travel from Mongolia to the GreatHungarian Plain within a year). Along the way, it is also the story of the rise and fall of empires, the development of maritime trade, and the shattering impact of predatory nomads on their urban neighbours.Above all, as this immense historical panorama unfolds, we begin to see in clearer focus those basic underlying factors--the acquisitive nature of humanity, the differing environments in which people live, and the dislocating effect of even slight climatic variation--which have driven changethroughout the ages, and which help us better understand our world today.
The Danebury Environs Programme: The Prehistory of a Wessex Landscape: Volume 2
- 842 pages
- 30 hours of reading
This volume presents findings from seven archaeological excavations conducted across various sites in England between 1989 and 1996. Each site, including Woolbury, Stockbridge Down, and Houghton Down, reveals insights into the region's historical landscape and cultural heritage. The reports detail methodologies, discoveries, and the significance of these locations, contributing to a broader understanding of the area's archaeological narrative.
Iron Age Communities in Britain
An Account of England, Scotland and Wales from the Seventh Century BC Until the Roman Conquest
- 752 pages
- 27 hours of reading
The fourth edition reflects recent significant developments in the discipline while preserving the strengths of previous editions. It offers updated insights and perspectives, ensuring it remains relevant and comprehensive for readers seeking to understand the evolving landscape of the subject.
The Roman Villa at Brading, Isle of Wight: The Excavations of 2008-10
- 291 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Featuring exceptional mosaics from the third and fourth centuries, this illustrated volume showcases the findings from excavations at Brading Roman Villa, a notable maritime courtyard villa. Conducted by Barry Cunliffe between 2008 and 2010, the research highlights the villa's historical significance and artistic heritage, providing insights into Roman life in northern Europe.
By Steppe, Desert, & Ocean
- 544 pages
- 20 hours of reading
[This book] demonstrates how wrong Kipling was: East may be East and West may be West, but over the millennia the twain have repeatedly met. Tom Holland, Books of the Year 2015, History Today
The Penguin Illustrated History of Britain and Ireland
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Presents an illustrated history of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. This title takes the reader on a journey from prehistoric times onwards, examining such topics as the spread of literacy, the development of transport, and the evolution of country houses on the way. It provides an introduction to British and Irish history.
The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology
- 1161 pages
- 41 hours of reading
Archaeology is a vast subject--it is the study of human society everywhere in the world, from distant human origins 3-4 million years ago up to the present day. The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology brings together 35 authors--all specialists in their own fields--to explain what archaeology is really about. This is one of the most comprehensive treatments of the subject and of the key debates ever attempted. It is designed to open up the world of archaeology to non-specialists and to provide an essential starting point for those who want to pursue particular topics in more depth.
The Ancient Celts
- 324 pages
- 12 hours of reading
More than two hundred illustrationsincluding twentyfour color platesand thirty maps complement an authoritative account that draws on recent archaeological findings to trace the development of Celtic civilization and its influence on Europe past and present. Reprint.
