In 11 chapters, each geographic area comes alive through brisk historical narrative and lavish color photography, art, and maps. Author Robin Currie details captivating legacies and guides us to sites where their mysteries can still be experienced: Hadrian's Wall, testament to why the Romans didn't occupy Scotland; the Arthurian legends found in medieval Welsh literature; Queen Elizabeth I and her rival Mary Stuart; centuries-old Kilkenny castle in Ireland; the Brontës, Daphne du Maurier, and the rich landscapes that inspired them. Meet the modern citizens of Britain and Ireland as well, and discover what life is like in the islands today. Throughout the book, quick travel tips and fun lists provide intriguing details about language origins, customs, and little-known lore. A complete index rounds out this ultimate reference. There's nothing like it on the market today. Wide-ranging travel author Robin Currie begins with the rich history of the Enchanted Isles, discussing such topics as the compelling saga of London, the Viking roots of 1,000-year-old Dublin, and the shipbuilding heritage of Belfast, from whence the Titanic steamed into history. We take in the emerald vistas of Ireland, dappled with the passage tombs and ritual sites of the ancient Celts. The rugged hills of Scotland, where the Romans disparaged the inhabitants as Picts ("painted men") for the pigments they wore in battle. And the coasts and castles of Wales, where the ancient language is still very much alive. Whether to learn, to visit, or simply to dream--National Geographic's Britain and Ireland provides readers with an incomparable tour.
