Pertinax Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 I have reviewed this title especially for the newly rebuilt "Hadrian's Wall Information " site of the worthy Augustus , who is a member of our Forum. His site has re-appeared in Britain after various tribulations , and is under course of re-construction:- http://hadrians-wall.info/hadrianswall/segedunum/index.htm I place a version of the review here, and hope some members will visit his re-established site I was recommended this title by Augustus as the definitive work on Hadrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil25 Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 I have known and loved this book since it's first publication, and have owned each p/back revision. It is one of the core works on ancient rome which, along with Syme's Roman Revolution, I would never be without. I first visted the Wall when I was 14, in the mid-60s, and longed to see Housesteads which Alan Sorrell had depicted in story drama. I was not disappointed, and that, with Chesters, Corbridge and latterly Vindolanda and South Shields are among my favorite places on earth. I love the valley of the River North Tyne, the view from the north rampart of Houseteads across the rugged windswept moors; the walk from their to Vindolanda.... I wish i was there right at this moment. Going there made me love the place: this book allowed me to understand it to some extent. I was lucky enough to hear Eric Birley (father of two sons, one the excavator of Vindolana, and the other the author of imperial biographies) again when I was in my teens. He talked of the Wall and made me replace my simplistic notions with more compex ideas of not a barrier to keep people out, but perhaps to keep them IN - to think of military zones and customs barriers and control. This book allowed me to build on that, and to carry in my pocket when i visited that blessed plot, a library in a single pocket-sized volume. But it, wallow in it, devour it. It is a classic. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 An excellent review Pertinax and after reading what Phil has to say aswell it appears that it would be an absolute crime not to possess this book, so i suppose i'll have to put my hand in my pocket and splash the cash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Thank you Gentlemen, how I have managed to overlook this gem of a book till now is beyond me. It wont be straying far from my desk from now on.Thanks to Augustus for remedying this gross omission. Phil-you mean this view? Makes the heart sing does it not? http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=436 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecimusCaesar Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Great review Pertinax! I have a few books on Hadrian's wall but these are very short, basic stuff. If this is a must have then I better start saving up for it now. It sounds like a real classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Great review Pertinax! I have a few books on Hadrian's wall but these are very short, basic stuff. If this is a must have then I better start saving up for it now. It sounds like a real classic. Its excellent value in paperback, and thank you DC. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hadrians-Wall-Peng...TF8&s=books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil25 Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 I was actually thinking of what one would see if you turned 90 degrees to the left. your pic is looking back to Housesteads (behind the copse) from Cuddy's Crag, I think. but the photo is excellent and absolutely captures the way I think about the middle section of the Wall. Thank you for such a superb reminder. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecimusCaesar Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 Thanks for the link Pertinax...I have added the book to my wishlist and I will be getting it this Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaius Paulinus Maximus Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 (edited) Great review Pertinax! I have a few books on Hadrian's wall but these are very short, basic stuff. If this is a must have then I better start saving up for it now. It sounds like a real classic. Its excellent value in paperback, and thank you DC. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hadrians-Wall-Peng...TF8&s=books I've just purchased this book from Amazon, but it's a different edition than the one pictured, it's from the 70's and the front cover is a picture of the wall in winter, all covered in snow, it's really is a beautiful shot of the wall and it cost me the princely sum of 99p plus p+p , the book is in very good condition, the pages are slightly browned with age but i think this just makes the book even more special. i'm a third of the way through it and i must say that it really is a fantastic piece of work Edited October 15, 2006 by Gaius Paulinus Maximus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted October 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 There have been several editions of the work, but for 99p you cant go wrong! Your post made me nostalgic for the Wall again ,(and I was only there two weeks ago) so I added this shot to the gallery: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1433 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil25 Posted October 15, 2006 Report Share Posted October 15, 2006 I still have that "winter" picture edition, GPM, as well as a more recent edition. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.