Hadrian's Wall

De: Adrian Goldsworthy

Narrado por: Derek Perkins

Stretching 80 miles from coast to coast across northern England, Hadrian's Wall is the largest Roman artifact known today. It is commonly viewed as a defiant barrier, the end of the empire, a place where civilization stopped and barbarism began.

In fact, the massive structure remains shrouded in mystery. Was the wall intended to keep out the Picts, who inhabited the North? Or was it merely a symbol of Roman power and wealth? What was life like for soldiers stationed along its expanse? How was the extraordinary structure built - with what technology, skills, and materials?

In Hadrian's Wall, Adrian Goldsworthy embarks on a historical and archeological investigation, sifting fact from legend while simultaneously situating the wall in the wider scene of Roman Britain. The result is a concise and enthralling history of a great architectural marvel of the ancient world.

©2018 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2018 Tantor

A book about how little we know about the Wall

I have read a lot of Adrian Goldsworthy’s books even the Novels which I love. This book really tells us how little we really know about Hadrian’s Wall. I thought I had an idea how the wall worked, most of that information apparently is fiction. I
I’m sure he didn’t short change me he brings up only what he could find in his research. Some new things but crushed what I thought I knew. He even went to Bead! (Sp) perhaps I have read to many novels and have mixed fact with fiction. A short book by a Historian I really enjoy and trust. I need to give this a second listen. We have so little source material and other books I have read have filled my head with some wild speculation apparently. So if you have thought the the wall was an effective well run control barrier this book will make you rethink everything you thought you understood about Hadrian’s Wall. This book will make you think.

Makes me want to Go there.

It's informative, and gives a decent/brief background into the Roman Empire; Life, Army, Rulers, etc. But most of all, talks about the wall and its changes through the 300 some odd years of use. I hope to see it someday. - Best.

Good background on a UK antiquity

Hadrian's Wall and The Antonine Wall have fascinated me since first learning of their existence in Latin class in 9th grade. Getting to travel to England and Scotland a few years ago gave me a great appreciation for "old things" as I live in a country so relatively new.

This was the perfect blend of history and anthropology to more completely explain what we have come to learn of The Wall and how what we thought we knew has changed with better science over the years.

Very good

Started out a little slow but picked up in 2nd chapter. Performance kept me interested and I appreciated the online referencing at the end.

Perfect

The start was a bit rocky, but the chapters about the strategic value of the fort was interesting.