Walk Britain 2006

In this innovative and original collection, people are seen as active agents in the development of new ways of understanding the past and creating histories for the present. Chapters explore forms of public history in which people's experience and understanding of their personal, national and local pasts are part of their current lives.

Combining industrial research and primary interview material with detailed textual analysis, Contemporary British Horror Cinema looks beyond the dominant paradigms which have explained away British horror in the past, and sheds light on one of the most dynamic and distinctive - yet scarcely talked about - areas of contemporary British film production. Considering high-profile theatrical releases, including The Descent, Shaun of the Dead and The Woman in Black, as well as more obscure films such as The Devil's Chair, Resurrecting the Street Walker and Cherry Tree Lane, Contemporary British Horror Cinema provides a thorough examination of British horror film production in the twenty-first century.

This guide describes 20 walks and 7 short treks in Croatia. Around half the routes focus on the striking limestone ranges of Gorski kotar and Velebit, which form part of the Dinaric Alps, but there are also routes in Dalmatia and on the Istrian peninsula, as well as four walks centred around the capital, Zagreb. They are easily accessible from the coastal resorts and main cities such as Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, and the guide includes advice on the most convenient bases. Showcasing Croatia's majestic scenery, the routes range from short, easy walks to more challenging treks and mountain traverses. Step-by-step route description is accompanied by clear mapping, and there are notes highlighting where refreshments are available on or near the trails. The treks make use of mountain huts and shelters, details of which are provided, although it is also possible to camp. The guide also includes information on local points of interest, fascinating overviews of Croatian history, plants and wildlife and a comprehensive English-Croatian glossary. Many routes take in the dramatic karst landscapes and peaks of Croatia's mountains; others explore the country's stunning national and nature parks - including the breathtaking UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes; yet more visit local attractions and highlights, such as Vrelo Cave and Pazin's castle and gorge.

'[Somerville's] infectious enthusiasm and wry humour infuse his journey from the Isle of Lewis to southern England, revealing our rich geological history with vibrant local and natural history.' - Observer 'An illuminating take on the British landscape ... a remarkable achievement. ' - Tom Chesshyre 'A meticulous exploration of the ground beneath our feet. Glorious.' Katherine Norbury 'Somerville is a walker's writer.' Nicholas Crane 'His writing is utterly enticing.' Country Walking ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... Travelling a thousand miles and across three billion years, Christopher Somerville (walking correspondent of The Times and author of Coast, The January Man and Ships of Heaven) sets out to interrogate the land beneath our feet, and how it has affected every aspect of human history from farming to house construction, the Industrial Revolution to the current climate crisis. In his thousand-mile journey, Somerville follows the story of Britain's unique geology, travelling from the three billion year old rocks of the Isle of Lewis, formed when the world was still molten, down the map south eastwards across bogs, over peaks and past quarry pits to the furthest corner of Essex where new land is being formed by nature and man. Demystifying the sometimes daunting technicalities of geology with humour and a characteristic lightness of touch, Somerville's book tells a story of humanity's reckless exploitation and a lemming-like surge towards self-annihilation but also shows seeds of hope as we learn how we might work with geology to avert a climate catastrophe. It cannot fail to change the way you see the world beyond your door.

In January 2006, a month or two after my father died, I thought I saw him again - a momentary impression of an old man, a little stooped, setting off for a walk in his characteristic fawn corduroys and shabby quilted jacket. After teenage rifts it was walking that brought us closer as father and son; and this 'ghost' of Dad has been walking at my elbow since his death, as I have ruminated on his great love of walking, his prodigious need to do it - and how and why I walk myself. The January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's 'The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather. This exquisitely written account of the British countryside not only inspires us to don our boots and explore the 140,000 miles of footpaths across the British Isles, but also illustrates how, on long-distance walks, we can come to an understanding of ourselves and our fellow walkers. Over the hills and along the byways, Christopher Somerville examines what moulded the men of his father's generation - so reticent about their wartime experiences, so self-effacing, upright and dutiful - as he searches for 'the man inside the man' that his own father really was.

"Exceptionally informative and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it an ideal resource for itinerary planning." ― Midwest Book Review 63 walks packed with local history, cultural and literary highlights, ecological and geological tidbits, and more Brief descriptions of gateway towns and services 75 full-color photos and detailed walk maps At-a-glance chart featuring trail information and amenities Walking Great Britain guides walkers and hikers of all levels and interests to the region’s superlative trails. From easy riverside strolls to challenging mountain summits, these beautiful, classic routes span the most scenic parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. They lend themselves to a good day’s walking with detail about local history, cultural and literary highlights, plus ecological and geological tidbits sprinkled throughout. Join in Great Britain’s national pastime while visiting varied and stunning landscapes--hidden waterfalls, wild beaches, long lochs, deep gorges, dramatic cliffs, striking sea stacks, high peaks, picturesque peninsulas, colorful gardens, Roman ruins, turreted castles, and more. Most trails are easy day trips close to popular towns and destinations, making this a perfect guide for a quick outing between museum visits or a week’s worth of robust striding.

First Published in 2013. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This book explores the contemporary phenomenon of forced marriage and 'honour' killings in Britain. Set against a background of increasing 'honour'-based violence within the country's South Asian and Muslim Diasporas, the book traces the development of the 'honour' question over the past two decades. It accordingly witnesses unprecedented changes in public awareness and government policy including ground-breaking 'honour'-specific legislation and the criminalisation of forced marriage. All of which makes Britain an important context for the study of this now indigenous and self-perpetuating social problem. In considering the scale of the challenge and its underlying causes, attention is paid to the intersections of gendered power structures that disadvantage female members of 'honour' cultures as well as feminist theories that seek to explain them. The book features five key case-studies of 'honour' killings and draws from a wide range of narratives including those of 'honour' violence survivors, grassroots service providers and legislators. Such myriad of perspectives reveals the complexity of the 'honour' issue and the deep ideological divisions that characterise it. With the UK's multiculturalist discourse unable to reconcile protecting patriarchal minority cultures with safeguarding gender equality and human rights, the book raises fundamental questions about the country's future direction. Following a long trend of state-sponsored integrationist policies, the government's response to the 'honour' question points decisively in the direction of a post-multicultural British nation.