Synopses & Reviews
Keith Spence shows how much as yet survives and how rich and fascinating this part of England still is. He writes sensitively and knowledgeably about buildings and architecture, and has a keen sense of the detail that gives identity to a place.' OBSERVER It is in] the penetration into the small and remainingly typical aspects of the two counties that Keith Spence so informatively indulges. This book is a delight for all who live in or visit this yet typical area of England.' FINANCIAL TIMES For thousands of years Kent has been on the main road to everywhere. Julius Caesar landed there in 55 BC, as did St Augustine more than six centuries later. Kings and armies, merchants and travellers, embarked from Dover; in recent times the skies above Kent witnessed the dogfights of the Battle of Britain, while the 1990s have seen Kent linked directly with the rest of Europe via the Channel Tunnel. By contrast, in earlier centuries Sussex was largely covered by impenetrable woodland, useful in medieval times for fattening pigs in the clearings or supplying wood to power the forges, but at the same time cutting it off from London and the rest of the country. It was not until the building of good roads and the arrival of the railway that Sussex lost its backwoods status. Geographically, however, the two counties belong together, and Keith Spence, who has lived in both but will admit to no preference, here weaves together their history and landscape to interpret them for the twenty-first century. Third revised edition.
Synopsis
Companion Guides are travel guides for the traveller who wants to know about the historical and cultural backgrounds of travel destinations. Each guide, written by a single author, offers a detailed, affectionate, informative and often idiosyncratic insight into the city or region covered. Designed to be read, rather than simply consulted, the guides mark the point where travel guide and travel writing meet: they remain the best guides on the market for the literate traveller.
Synopsis
This is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of KEITH SPENCE's essential guide to two of the most beautiful - and often still unspoiled - counties in England, which on its first publication quickly established itself as the best available guide to the area. Mr Spence shows how much as yet survives and how rich, varied and fascinating this part of England still is. He writes sensitively and knowledgeably about buildings and architecture, and has a keen sense of the detail that gives identity to a place. There is much to be learned from this book, which maintains the high standard of the Companion Guide series. OBSERVER
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 416-417) and index.