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In Search of the Dark Ages

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In Search of the Dark Ages

By: Michael Wood
Narrated by: Marston York
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In Search of the Dark Ages is an unrivalled exploration of the origins of English identity, and the best-selling book that established Michael Wood as one of Britain's leading historians. Now, on the book's 40th anniversary, this fully revised and expanded edition illuminates further the fascinating and mysterious centuries between the Romans and the Norman Conquest.

Alongside portraits of Boadicea, King Arthur, Alfred the Great, Athelstan, and William the Conqueror, the story of England is expanded further to include new voices, with all-new chapters on fascinating characters such as Penda of Mercia, Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, Hadrian the African, Eadgyth of England and Wynflaed. It's an altogether richer, more varied and inclusive study on the creation of Britain.

Just as it did when it first published 40 years ago, In Search of the Dark Ages overturns preconceptions of the Early Middle Ages as a shadowy and brutal era, showing them to be a richly exciting and formative period in the history of Britain.

©2001 Michael Wood (P)2022 Penguin Audio Europe Great Britain Medieval Military England Middle Ages Arthurian
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A good look at what we know - and don’t know - about this period. I found the original version inspiring. This update adds tantalising new details from the discoveries of recent decades

Enlightening overview

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The recording of this book leaves much to desired. On the surface it appears to be cobbled and rushed. Chapters cut off in the middle of the story… going from Carlisle then to Sutton Hoo for example in chapter 5.

The narrator appears to be trying to grapple with the original text as first published and the additional updated text in many parts.

I think this re released book is a mess. Whilst it does include updated archaeological evidence generally the author makes nothing of it… seemingly just plonked into the relevant parts.

Overall disjointed and annoying.

Disappointed

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Lots of detail but well read and easy to follow. Would recommend for those who enjoy this part of history.

Great detailed history!

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