The A303
Highway to the Sun
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd
Published:13th Jun '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This book explores the rich history and cultural significance of the A303, revealing its charm and complexity through engaging narratives.
More than just a thoroughfare, The A303 encapsulates the essence of English motoring and the nostalgia of road travel. This beloved and sometimes controversial road serves as a vital artery for holidaymakers heading to the West Country, evoking memories of a time when the journey was as cherished as the destination. Tom Fort's exploration of the A303 reveals its significance in the cultural tapestry of England, where each mile is steeped in stories and history.
In this fully revised and updated edition, readers are invited to uncover the rich narratives that the A303 has to offer. From the ancient bluestones of Stonehenge to the remnants of Roman roads and the tales of eccentric local figures, the A303 is portrayed as a living history, reflecting an English way of life that is both charming and complex. Fort's engaging prose captures the quirky, the absurd, and the poignant, making the road itself a character in its own right.
The A303 is not just an account of a road; it is a celebration of the romance of travel, where each twist and turn is filled with wonder and nostalgia. With humor and insight, Fort invites readers to appreciate the journey, reminding us that sometimes the road less traveled holds the most memorable stories.
'Tom Fort's book, named for a well-used English road, is a smoother ride: elegantly written, with a dry humour and an eyebrow raised at the failed "smart solutions" of transport ministers. His object is to reveal the special beauty of the landscape, particularly Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge (pictured). Mr Fort is a charming and knowledgeable guide, who can people the hills with shepherds, and the manors and rectories with eccentric antiquarians; who can tell you about an ancient system for flooding water meadows or the common names of chalk-loving flowers and butterflies. It is enough to make Wiltshire your next holiday destination' * The Economist *
'An epic journey to the South-West. The A303 is a road like no other, a route that has become part of the English way of life...Fort highlights its enduring appeal' * Independent *
'This is a brave book...Fort has an eye for the quirky, the absurd, the pompous and a style that, like the road, is always on the move' * Sunday Telegraph *
'Delightful, nostalgic, slyly witty, perceptive...a wonderfully charming book' * The Spectator *
'A lovely book...At last someone has celebrated the romanceof a British road' * Guardian *
'A nostalgic experience, informative, humorous, charming, but pervaded by the bittersweet scent of regret' * Daily Mail *
ISBN: 9781471186097
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 23mm
Weight: unknown
384 pages
Reissue