Watling Street: Travels through Britain and Its Ever-Present Past
The author has written an engaging account of England’s ancient and long route, Watling Street. Starting at Dover, he follows the direction the road takes, through to Anglesey in Wales. This is not just a routine travelogue of weird characters met and ugly places seen. It is a disquisition on English history and culture, what it means to be English and the identity the people have—all within the context of the country’s narrow decision to leave the European Union in the June 2016 referendum, which has divided the nation like nothing before. He does meet a number of eccentrics —which are either spiritually gifted or just whacky cranks, depending upon one’s own perspective and views. Similarly, his analysis gets quite political at times, which can also be admirable or annoying, depending upon one’s opinions. Some of his English place name origins are wrong (such as Dunstable)—he has accepted popularly received but incorrect explanations. Nevertheless, it is all written in a breezy but intelligent style and is a most enjoyable read.
