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The Accidental Detectorist

Uncovering an Underground Obsession

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The Accidental Detectorist

By: Nigel Richardson
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Summary
 When a travel writer is stuck on home soil in the middle of a pandemic he meets Kris Rodgers, one of Britain's eminent metal detectorists. Dipping a toe in the hobby, Nigel quickly finds himself swept up in the world beneath the surface. Above the ground are a cast of fascinating and passionate people who open Nigel's eyes to a subterranean world of treasure and stories that bring the history of the island to life.

Scouring the country from Cornwall to Scotland in search of treasure and the best detectorists, Nigel finds himself more immersed in the culture than he bargained for and makes his own personal journey from cynicism to obsession in his trail through the heartlands of metal detecting. From women's groups who react against the hobby's male bias, to the 'Nighthawks' who risk jail-time in their pursuits, he finds his preconceptions disabused and gets to the heart of what makes this quiet community so obsessed with happy beeps.

(p) 2022 Octopus Publishing Group©2022 Nigel Richardson Archaeology Civilisation Travel Writing & Commentary World
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This book excels at making the seemingly niche world of metal detecting feel universal. Richardson doesn't just tell us about finds and techniques, he explores what drives people to spend hours sweeping fields, the almost mystical relationship between detectorist and landscape. A beautiful book charmingly narrated.

Gentle humour, genuine wonder, and deeper reflection

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