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Francis Pryor
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Stonehenge: The Story of a Sacred Landscape Hardcover – February 6, 2018

by Francis Pryor (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 133 ratings
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An illustrated, evocative narrative of the nature and history of Stonehenge that places the enigmatic stone megaliths in a wider cultural context.

Perched on the chalk uplands of Salisbury Plain, the megaliths of Stonehenge offer one of the most recognizable outlines of any ancient structure. Its purpose—place of worship, sacrificial arena, giant calendar—is unknown, but its story is one of the most extraordinary of any of the world's prehistoric monuments.

Constructed in several phases over a period of some 1500 years, beginning in 3000 BC, Stonehenge's key elements are its “bluestones,” transported from West Wales by unexplained means, and its sarsen stones quarried from the nearby Marlborough Downs.

Francis Pryor delivers a rigorous account of the nature and history of Stonehenge, but also places the enigmatic monument in a wider cultural context, bringing acute insight into how antiquarians, scholars, writers, artists–and even neopagans—have interpreted the mystery over the centuries.
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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    The Landmark Library
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Pegasus Books
  5. Publication date
    February 6, 2018
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1681776405
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1681776408
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pryor’s journalistic writing and vast knowledge make this a joy for historians and armchair archaeologists alike." ― Kirkus Reviews

"Eminent British archaeologist Pryor examines Stonehenge, the most famous of all ancient British landmarks, in a work that balances the scholarly and the popular. A visually appealing and intellectually stimulating addition to the popular understanding of Stonehenge." ― Publishers Weekly

"Designed with concision and splendid visual illustration [revealing] the past decade's worth of new discovery. Pryor is especially able in conveying the dynamism of prehistory." ― The Times Literary Supplement (UK)

"This beautifully produced book brings us up to date with the latest in Stonehenge thinking. This splendid book is nearly as good as wandering among the stones themselves." ― The Daily Mail

"A masterful overview of the historical hotspot. Pryor’s personable, authoritative prose is just what's needed to breathe life into a subject you might have thought long exhausted." ― History Revealed

"Accompanied by beautiful photographs and illustrations, the book takes us back in time to appreciate the complexity and spiritual significance of a 4,000-year-old monument." ― BBC Countryfile

"A beautifully written and illustrated book. A compelling picture of the forces that formed Stonehenge." ― The Mail on Sunday

"Pryor has a way with words that somehow simplify complex data and make it interesting and intelligible for the general reader. This is undoubtedly a most enjoyable read." ― Prehistoric Society

About the Author

Francis Pryor is one of Britain's most distinguished archaeologists and the excavator of Flag Fen. He is the author of Home, Britain BC, Britain AD, Seahenge, and The Making of the British Landscape.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pegasus Books (February 6, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1681776405
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681776408
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 133 ratings

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Francis Pryor

Francis Pryor

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
133 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

W. N.
5.0 out of 5 stars Best source of information on Stonehenge. A joy to read.
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
I read this book while backpacking through Dorset and Wiltshire, to visit Stonehenge, Avebury and other sites; made a special trip even more special. To get the most out of Stonehenge, read this book, visit Stonehenge, and the Salisbury Museum. Pryor makes an excellent argument that Stonehenge wasn't a 'thing' but more of a process, it was something, then it became something else, and even now it's changing. What I found absolutely fascinating is that the people (my ancestors) who built the megalith were likely unaware of the glacier grooves in the bedrock, by then buried for thousands of years--but which were oriented to the winter solstice. Older ancestors noticed these, declared the place sacred. By the time their descendants were raising these stones no one remembered these grooves. The idea for this site continued long after the original source was lost....(until about 20 years ago (which is also part of the process of Stonehenge).
All the pieces and this and that, and what's that over there... this book pulls it all together, making you another Stonehenge pilgrim.
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth owning!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very concise and well written. It's funny, two months ago I wrote to the archaeologist that has been in charge of a recent dig in or near the monument asking for a recommendation for the most comprehensive book available about Stonehenge. I didn't even bother responding. Then, our of the blue i get this recommendation from Amazon about it. Go figure.
This will answers 90% of the questions you might have in an informative ,remembrance style. It was as if I were talking to the author. So, thanks for the work.
4 people found this helpful
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David J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Jeff Bezos did NOT build Stonehenge?
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2022
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Stellar Study, stellar writing and stellar illustrations/images with a very accessible, warm narrative style from one of the leading prehistory archaeologists in England.
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David Belfry
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good summary
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this reading because it was easy to understand easy to read and very enjoyable to transition through out without a lot of heavy documentation and supposition regarding the site. It was in line with Nova’s documentaries on this subject matter.
2 people found this helpful
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Malcolm
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021
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This was a helpful book for a research paper I was doing on Stonehenge. Very informative and has a lot of other sources that were helpful also. A+
One person found this helpful
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Dixie
5.0 out of 5 stars Delighted to find & receive.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
Mint condition!!! Exceptionally well packed. Contents more than expected.
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Lady in Dallas
5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining book
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
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If you enjoy Time Team you will enjoy this book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Annathejeweller
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVELY, WELL WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED LITTLE BOOK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I love this book , It’s written as all Francis Pryor works are, in an excellent no nonsense idiom, with all the salient facts and more covered . This little book however is beautiful as well as interesting, because it contains some gorgeous illustrations by period painters and illustrators of the henge, including John Piper et al. This is a lovely treat if you are interested in the story of our landscape or indeed as a gift for a friend who likes historical or archaeological topics .
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Marlene Lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr zufrieden
Reviewed in Germany on February 13, 2019
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Das Produkt kam in einem einwandfreien Zustand. Sehr zufrieden.
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Helen Musson
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2024
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Brilliant!
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Mark Rainsley
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it. Beautifully presented images and text
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2017
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Loved it. Beautifully presented images and text, making the story of Stonehenge clear and readable without patronising or dumbing down concepts - something few archaeologist-writers manage. I've read all of Pryor's books so clearly I enjoy his style, but I think this stands apart as his most focussed and least self-indulgent...no ramblings about his personal past/ hang-ups (enjoyable as they generally are), just a clear aim to outline the significance of this site.
7 people found this helpful
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Mr
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2016
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A good read
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