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England's Villages

An Extraordinary Journey Through Time

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England's Villages

By: Dr Ben Robinson
Narrated by: Paul J Rose
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England's villages have survived, developed, and thrived over hundreds of years. But what makes a village and how has that changed over time?

Take a charming and unexpected journey through the quirks of England's villages throughout the ages in the excellent company of Dr Ben Robinson, expert archaeologist. Join him in visiting villages from prehistoric, to Roman, to medieval times, all the way through to today's modern, urban villages. Discover how landowners, governments and communities have shaped villages, why village greens, village pubs and village halls exist, and the real meaning behind names like Bunny, Yelling, Lover, Great Snoring and Slaughter.

A compelling study of archaeology, history and architecture, England's Villages is a thoughtful, enlightening and informative look at our oldest homes, uncovering and revealing the extraordinary heritage of the places that surround us. Architecture Europe Great Britain Sociology Urban England Village
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Critic reviews

'Villages are the ancient heart and soul of rural England. Ben Robinson's book vividly explains the complexity of their history and why we must cherish them for future generations.'
'Dr Ben Robinson reveals how England's Villages have a dynamic and turbulent history which belies their sleepy image.'
'A fascinating, often surprising history, full of twists and turns, of something as apparently simple as a village. I was raised in a village (though I left it for the big city) so this book helped me understand the village part of my childhood.'
All stars
Most relevant
I would have preferred the author to read the book but interesting nonetheless. Easy listening.

Interesting insight

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This was so well written and filled to the brim with interesting facts that once I’d finished listening to the audio book I went and found myself a copy of the paper back to make it easier to re-read and take notes. This is not something I normally do (although this is the second audiobook in a row this year, clearly I’m picking them extra well) so that should tell you just how much I found of value in the pages and how much I enjoyed it.

The blurb really doesn’t do justice to just how much information is packed into the 416 pages/12 hours and certainly doesn’t show how well and clearly written it is. Ben Robinson’s ability to talk in detail about the archaeology without making it incomprehensible to anyone who hasn’t studied the subject and to ensure he isn’t speaking down to his audience is unparalleled. His deft handling of the chronology and the sheer variety of information that villages can give us was a joy to read and I found some the later chapters about new villages, modern housing issues, climate change and the political, economical, and cultural issues these engenger exemplary.

My only complaint, purely about the audiobook, is that the narrator speaks like a childrens tv presenter on acid and although he did become more bearable the further through the book I got it still grated on my nerves. It did not stop me listening until the very end, which is another indication of how good the book is.

Fascinating book slightly marred by the narration.

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This fascinating book summarizes a vast body of English social history. It will enrich anyone’s enjoyment of the countryside.

Fascinating social history

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Some of the Cornish and Devon place names are repeatedly pronounced wrong. This is quite irritating, but the book is overall, very interesting.

Interesting but...

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