Historical Atlas Of South-West England

“Not to be missed by historians, geographers, and archaeologists who might wish to acquire an almost perfect example of the genre . . . Text, maps, and illustrations are at once authoritative, clear and unambiguous . . . A key text for future studies of the south-west.” (Journal of Historical Geography 27, 2001) “Where this atlas wins hands down over its rivals is its massive inclusiveness and the depths of the articles that accompany the maps. Coverage runs from the geology of the South West and its palaeolithic settlement patterns right up to the contemporary hot potato of second home ownership. The general editor, Roger Kain, points out that ‘Each author was given the opportunity to frame his or her own contribution within broad parameters set by the editors.’ This lightness of touch has worked in that it is quite possible to sit down and view the atlas as a ‘good read’ in its own right . . . The 65 chapters cover everything a local historian or geographer could reasonably want to know and many are a masterpiece of compression and data presentation.” (The Local Historian, November 2000) “. . . massively comprehensive and detailed, with a proliferation of excellent colour and black and white reproductions, diagrams and photographs, as well as some 400 specially drawn maps . . . Its worth as a work of reference for the specialist can be judged by, for example, the linguistic scientist being able to turn to a chapter, complete with relevant map, on the retreat of the Cornish language, or the social historian to a remarkably well illustrated chapter on printing, the book trade and newspapers. This is not to say that it is of lesser interest to more generalist readers, such as map collectors or, indeed, anyone with more than a passing interest in the peninsula.” (Journal of the International Map Collectors Society, Autumn 2000) “A very fine production . . . provides good value on the historical and geographical background to that fascinating south-western peninsula of England.” (The Geographical Journal March 2001, Vol. 167) “This marvellous book.” (Mapline, Vol. 91 2000) “The enduring hold of local history on the imagination is also manifest in Roger Kain and William Ravenhill’s sumptuous Historical Atlas of South-West England, the product of twelve years’ work and one of the most substantial collaborative cartographic ventures undertaken in the United Kingdom.” (Journal of Historical Geography) “Thanks to generous contributions from the University of Exeter Development Fund and a series of charitable organisations, this Atlas sells for £55, which is extraordinarily cheap at the price and not to be missed by historians, geographers, and archaeologists who might wish to acquire an almost perfect example of the genre.” (Journal of Historical Geography) “… the contributors to the Historical Atlas of South-West England have given us a volume which is as beautiful as it is scholarly; a handsome work to be enjoyed by student and ‘general’ reader alike.” (Journal of Historical Geography)