The Amateur Historians Guide to the Heart of England: Nearly 200 Medieval & Tudor Sites Two Hours or Less from London (Capital Travels)
Editorial Reviews
Faith Cormier, Green Man Review, December 14, 2003
"...it suggests intriguing itineraries for anyone interested in Medieval and Tudor England..."
Review
"In 'The Amateur Historian¹s Guide to the Heart of England,' dedicated medievalists Kettler and Trimble take us to England in their latest guidebook. They spin little tales in the margins, intrigue us with fascinating historical details, and imbue the reader with something akin to a need to walk in the footsteps of the Tudors, Plantagenets, and the
Stuarts. It is artistry, pure and simple, clothed in the garb of the mundane.
Yet the mundane is represented here, too, in the form of schedules and prices and bus routes and phone numbers. We are told what times are best to visit each site, to whom we must write for reservations, and what tube or bus to take. In fact, all itinerary planning is done for us. One must only pick a spot, make a phone call, hop a bus, and enjoy.
Yet for those who have not been lucky enough to visit England, the descriptions of the various historical sites presented here are so thorough smell the grass and hear the river flow. I may never get to England in the flesh, but thanks to this latest guidebook, I feel a little less deprived of Clan Ranald."
Lady Janet, Renaissance Magazine, November 2004
"...an idea for those of our listeners who love the history of England, but want it in an interesting and informative format. Well, you get exactly this in a nifty book called 'The Heart of England - or Nearly 200 Medieval Sites 2 Hours or Less from London.' This clever book of 400 pages is a great read as it describes in a bright and breezy format, lots of stuff you probably never knew and it's all truly intriguing....I especially loved their ideas on unique places to stay and, as I said, this book's a winner for anyone touring historic places in Britain."
John Clayton, "Travel with a Difference," KNX 1070
"If you're the sort of history buff who'd like to use London as a base for day and overnight trips, or who wants to plan a driving itinerary within easy reach of London, 'The Amateur Historian's Guide to the Heart of England' is an essential planning tool.
The 410-page book describes nearly 200 medieval and Tudor sites that are within two hours of London by car or public transportation....The entry for each site includes practical information such as phone number, e-mail or Web address, location, hours of operation, admission fees, and conveniences, plus a description of the site's history and what you'll see. Descriptions vary in length and breadth, but all are informative and written in an engaging style by two women who'd be great companions on an English sightseeing trip.
'The Amateur Historian's Guide to the Heart of England' is the third volume in the authors' guidebook series; the first two volumes are 'The Amateur Historian's Guide to Medieval & Tudor London' and 'The Amateur Historian's Guide to Medieval & Tudor England: Day Trips South of London.' All three books are worthwhile investments for history aficionados (including natives as well as visitors) who want to make the best possible use of their time in London and the surrounding regions."
Durant Imboden, Europeforvisitors.com, July 2004
"If your idea of a trip across the pond is more Oxford and Shakespeare than Notting Hill and Knightsbridge, check out 'The Heart of England: Nearly 200 Medieval & Tudor Sites Two Hours or Less From London.'
The book by Sarah Valente Kettler and Carole Trimble, priced at $22.95, is the third volume in their 'Amateur Historian's Guide' series from Capital Books. The previous two volumes were 'The Amateur Historian's Guide to Medieval & Tudor London' and 'The Amateur Historian's Guide to Medieval & Tudor England: Day Trips South of London.'
The new book takes you to Windsor Castle, Eton College, Oxford, Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford, the medieval castles of Kenilworth and Warwick, the cathedrals and abbeys of St. Alban's, Dorchester and Reading, as well as other period manor homes, churches and barns in the region.
The book is written for travelers who want to use London as their home base for dinner and evening shows, but are interested in taking short trips during the day to the English Midlands and other nearby sites."
Associated Press, Providence (RI) Journal - December 28, 2003, The Morning Call (PA) - December 21, 2003, Naples (FL) Daily News - December 21, 2003, The Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser - December 21, 2003, South Bend (IN) Tribune - December 2003
"A new book in the Amateur Historian series, by Sarah Valente Kettler and Carole Trimble, explores the Heart of England, covering over 200 Tudor and Medieval sites within two hours travel of London.
I confess that I awaited the arrival of this new Amateur Historian guide with great anticipation; the first two offerings in the series had been so much fun to read. 'The Heart of England' did not disappoint. The authors have packed an enormous amount of material into this readable book.
The book is neatly arranged into short suggested tours covering the English counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Each itinerary is complete with a wealth of information that is useful for planning a trip, from phone numbers, transportation options and timetables, admission charges, and opening hours of attractions.
Though this detailed information is useful, it is in the area of historical detail and background information onlocations and the people who made them worth visiting that the Amateur Historians shine.... The authors have done a wonderful job of interspersing anecdotes about historic personalities with the history of abbeys, churches, pubs, castles, and houses where those people lived, loved, fought, and died.
There are travel tips, a list of ancient inns and eateries in each areas, a helpful glossary, timeline, even "ghost allerts", and the author's own "must see" places. If you think you "know it all, already", you'll find that the authors have uncovered historical snippets that you were not aware of, and made the locations they write about come alive. Though many Britons will find the information invaluable, the series is written primarily for a North American audience.
In short, the Amateur Historian's new offering makes travel planning fun, and should prove a valuable addition to any anglophile's bookshelf."
Rosemary McGruther, Britain Express, April 14, 2004
"In their first two books, 'The Amateur Historian's Guide: Medieval & Tudor London' and 'The Amateur Historian's Guide: Medieval & Tudor England, Day Trips South of London - Dover, Canterbury, Rochester,' Sarah Valente Kettler and Carole Trimble made sites relating to a long, rich period in English history more accessible. This third volume in the series is a worthy successor to the others.
Like the first two Amateur Historian's Guides, it suggests intriguing itineraries for anyone interested in Medieval and Tudor England, defined by the authors as the period from 1066 to 1600. The itineraries in this volume use London as a base for trips to Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire - the traditional 'Heart of England.'
Once again, an introductory chapter tells how to use the books and arrange your trip. The following chapters focus on one tour each. Each site on a tour is introduced separately, with its address and directions for getting to it, its telephone number and Web address or e-mail (if known by the authors), facilities, admission times and fees, and so on. Then it is described in detail....If I ever get to England, my list of places I want to see has gotten longer again."
Faith Cormier, Green Man Review, December 14, 2003
The Amateur Historians Guide to the Heart of England: Nearly 200 Medieval & Tudor Sites Two Hours or Less from London (Capital Travels)
The Amateur Historians Guide to the Heart of England: Nearly 200 Medieval & Tudor Sites Two Hours or Less from London (Capital Travels),Sarah Valente Kettler,Carole Trimble,Capital Books (VA),1892123657,Antiquities,England,Europe - Great Britain - General,Europe - Gt. Britain/London,Guidebooks,Historic buildings,Historic sites,History,History: World,Reference - Guides (General),Travel - Foreign,British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500,British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700,Midlands,Travel & holiday guides
Cheap Books:
Recommended Books