by spiral » 10:03 am
As someone unable to read or write books, I was slightly disappointed to discover a present from Saint Julian under the tree.
It's a hefty tome, that weighs about the same as a New Forest pony, who has eaten, a few too many discarded sandwiches.
My copy is in a cardboard case covering, with a circular hole in the middle. Once you get the book out the casing, you are left with a serious problem. How on earth do you put the book away again?
I reckon it is a type of megalithic puzzle, you have to align the megalithic symbol on the book, with the hole in the casing....I will give you a clue, the main problem is weight. I reckon, probably the best method is to use rope and pulleys, but I am yet to master it. Presumably the ancients, used to feasting on wild bear, found this sort of thing much easier.
Unable to put the book away, I was forced into reading it. I must confess that I barely made it to the end of the title "The Modern Antiquarian: A Pre-Millennial Odyssey Through Megalithic Britain.", but I, rather heroically, persevered. Unfortunately as it is 438 pages, I confess I will never make it to the end.
Still, I am going to warmly recommend this effort, the maps and photographs are truly wonderful. This is surely a book to strap onto your roof rack, and then head off in search for ancient monuments.... It is for the enthusiastic explorer rather than the academic. There are thumbnail sketches, of every megalith site (over 300) the author has ever visited, so you can compare your notes with those of the author. And, of course, there are poems. Err, lots of poems......The pages come in a selection of colours, that helpfully match those of the rainbow.
The first section is entitled Essays, and is commendably bonkers. Saint Julian weighs into the establishment, with all the gusto of M. Harper on acid. He seems to have a thing about mother goddesses, whom he likes, and academics, whom he hates. Most folks who have reviewed this section describe this as "new age" nonsense.
It's highly enjoyable. Thought provoking. Probably best to get it in paperback, and read it with your kit off, cuddling your significant other, looking into the sunset.....
I gave it 9/10