In Search of the Dark Ages

By: Michael Wood

Narrated by: Marston York

Brought to you by Penguin.

In Search of the Dark Ages is an unrivalled exploration of the origins of English identity, and the best-selling book that established Michael Wood as one of Britain's leading historians. Now, on the book's 40th anniversary, this fully revised and expanded edition illuminates further the fascinating and mysterious centuries between the Romans and the Norman Conquest.

Alongside portraits of Boadicea, King Arthur, Alfred the Great, Athelstan, and William the Conqueror, the story of England is expanded further to include new voices, with all-new chapters on fascinating characters such as Penda of Mercia, Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, Hadrian the African, Eadgyth of England and Wynflaed. It's an altogether richer, more varied and inclusive study on the creation of Britain.

Just as it did when it first published 40 years ago, In Search of the Dark Ages overturns preconceptions of the Early Middle Ages as a shadowy and brutal era, showing them to be a richly exciting and formative period in the history of Britain.

©2001 Michael Wood (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Great story and narration

Marston York is a fabulous narrator and having listened to him read some of Griff Hosker’s books I chose this one to listen to as well. It’s well written, has a good pace, and it was nice to read about the amazing women in British history, and to learn more about Aethelflaed’s story. The only problem was that the audio editing was a little slack with some repeats and other errors, it didn’t affect the story but was definitely noticeable.

Needs a bit more editing

A really well written and well read book, but just 3 chapters in and I've already encountered several repeated sections and verbal notes to the editor that have not been removed. I can only guess that if there are repeats, there must be omissions.

Still the gold standard.

New, more detailed and illuminating discoveries may have been made since this books publication but this is still the spine of the historical record of the period for modern times. An outstanding read, and well read.

Enjoyable nonfiction history

It is both a thorough yet succinct breakdown of a large chunk of British history. I found the text interesting and the narrator made it relaxing to listen to.

Michael Woods Narration makes it more enchanting to listen to

I have loved all his historical research tv shows and his books since i was a teenager who loved world history. Now in my 50s i am rewatching them and listenibg to the audios. I wish he narrated all of them he is so wonderful at bringing it to life. Highly recommend