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{{Frontpage|class-"wikitable" cellpaddingisbn=1789016304|title="15"War and Love: A family's testament of anguish, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam<!-- |author=Melanie Martin -->|-rating=5| stylegenre="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|History[[image:1789016304.jpg|linksummary=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1789016304/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Melanie Martin read about what happened to Dutch Jews in occupied Amsterdam during World War II and Love: A familywas entranced by what she discovered, particularly in ''s testament The Diary of anguish, endurance Ann Frank'' but then realised that her own family's stories were equally fascinating. A hundred and seven thousand Jews were deported from the city during the war years, but only five thousand survived and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Melanie Martin]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]], [[:Category:Biography|Biography]] Melanie Martin read about what happened could not understand how this could be allowed to Dutch Jews happen in occupied Amsterdam during World War II and was entranced by what she discovered, particularly in ''The Diary of Ann Frank'' but then realised a country with liberal values who were resistant to German occupation. Most people believed that her own family's stories were equally fascinating. A hundred and seven thousand Jews were deported from the occupation could never happen: even those who thought that the Germans might reach the city during the war yearswere convinced that they would soon be pushed back, but only five thousand survived and Martin could not understand how this could be allowed that the Amsterdammers would never allow what happened to happen escalate in a country with liberal values who were resistant to German occupationthe way that it did, but initial protests melted away as the organisers became more circumspect. Most people believed that the occupation could never happen: even those who thought that the Germans might reach the city were convinced that they would soon be pushed back, that the Amsterdammers would never allow what happened to escalate in the way It's an atrocity on a vast scale but made up of tens of thousands of individual tragedies.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=1908745819|title=Surfacing|author=Kathleen Jamie|rating=5|genre=History|summary=Sometimes when people suggest that it didyou read a certain book, but initial protests melted away as the organisers became more circumspect. Itthey tell you ''this one has your name on it''s an atrocity on a vast scale but made up of tens of thousands of individual tragedies. [[War and Love: A familyMostly we take them at their word, or not, but rarely do we ask them why they thought so unless it turns out that we didn't like the book. That's testament of anguisha rare experience. People who are sensitive to hearing a book calling your name, rarely get it wrong. In this case, endurance and devotion in occupied Amsterdam by Melanie Martin|Full Review]] <!-- Jamie -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1908745819I was told why.jpg|link=http://www The blurb speaks of the author considering ''an older, less tethered sense of herself.amazon'' Older.coLess tethered.uk/dp/1908745819/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie]]=== [[image:5starThat's not a bad description of where I am.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]] Add to that my love of the natural world, [[:Category:Travel|Travel]]of those aspects of the poetic and lyrical that are about style not form, [[:Category:Autobiography|Autobiography]] Sometimes when people suggest that you read a certain bookand substance most of all, about connection. Of course, they tell you ''this one has your book had my name on it''. Mostly we take them at their word, or not, but rarely do we ask them why they thought It was written for me. It would have found its way to me eventually. I am pleased to have it fall onto my path so unless it turns out that we didn't like the bookquickly. That's a rare experience. People who are sensitive to hearing a book calling your name, rarely get it wrong. In this case, I was told why. The blurb speaks of the author considering }}{{Frontpage|isbn=0857058320|title=Lord Of All the Dead|author=Javier Cercas and Anne McLean (translator)|rating=4|genre=History|summary=''an older, less tethered sense of herself.Lord Of All the Dead'' Older. Less tethered. Thatis a journey to uncover the author's not a bad description of where I amlost ancestor's life and death. Add to that my love of Cercas is searching for the natural world, of those aspects of meaning behind his great uncle's death in the poetic and lyrical that are about style not formSpanish Civil War. Manuel Mena, and substance most of allCercas' great uncle, about connectionis the figure who looms large over the book. Of course, this book had my name He died relatively young whilst fighting for Francisco Franco's forces. Cercas ruminates on it. It was written why his uncle fought for methis dictator. It would have found its way The question at the centre of this book is whether it is possible for his great uncle to me eventuallybe a hero whilst having fought for the wrong side. I am pleased to have it fall onto my path so quickly. [[Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie|Full Review]] <!-- Cercas -->}}{{Frontpage|-isbn=0008294011| styletitle="width: 10%; vertical-alignHow to Lose a Country: top; text-align: center;"The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship|author=Ece Temelkuran[[image:0857058320.jpg|linkrating=http://www4.amazon.co.uk/dp/0857058320/ref5|genre=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] History| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Lord Of All the Dead A little while ago a friend asked me if I thought that we were living through what in years to come would be discussed by Javier Cercas and Anne McLean (translator)]]=== [[image:4starA level history students when faced with the question ''Discuss the factors which led to...jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]], [[:Category:Biography|Biography]] ''Lord Of All the Dead I agreed that she was right and wasn't certain whether it was a good or bad thing that we didn' is a journey to uncover the authort know what all 's lost ancestorthis's life and deathwas leading to. I think now that I do know. Cercas is searching for the meaning behind his great uncle We are in danger of losing democracy and whilst it's death in a flawed system I can't think of a better one, particularly as the Spanish Civil War. Manuel Mena, Cercas' great uncle, benevolent dictator' is the figure who looms large over the book. He died relatively young whilst fighting for Francisco Francoas rare as hen's forces. Cercas ruminates on why his uncle fought for this dictatorteeth. }}{{Frontpage|isbn=1788037812|title=The question at Fraternity of the centre of this book is whether it is possible Estranged: The Fight for his great uncle to be a hero whilst having fought for the wrong side. [[Lord Of All the Dead by Javier Cercas and Anne McLean (translator)|Full Review]] <!Homosexual Rights in England, 1891-- Ece Temelkuran -->1908|-author=Brian Anderson| stylerating="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|5[[image:0008294011.jpg|linkgenre=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008294011/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]] History| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[How to Lose Originally passed in 1885, the law that had made homosexual relations a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship by Ece Temelkuran]]=== [[image:4crime remained in place for 82 years. But during this time, restrictions on same-sex relationships did not go unchallenged.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[Between 1891 and 1908, three books on the nature of homosexuality appeared. They were written by two homosexual men:Category:Politics Edward Carpenter and Society|Politics and Society]]John Addington Symonds, [[:Category:Autobiography|Autobiography]], [[:Category:History|History]] A little while ago a friend asked me if I thought that we were living through what as well as the heterosexual Havelock Ellis. Exploring the margins of society and studying homosexuality was common on the European Continent, but barely talked about in years to come would be discussed by A level history students when faced with the question ''Discuss UK, so the factors which led publications of these men were hugely significant – contributing to...'' I agreed that she was right the scientific understanding of homosexuality, and beginning the struggle for recognition and wasn't certain whether it was a good or bad thing that we didn't know what all 'this' was equality, leading tothe milestone legalisation of same-sex relationships in 1967. I think now that I do know. We are in danger of losing democracy }}{{Frontpage|isbn=1910593508|title=Apollo|author=Matt Fitch, Chris Baker and whilst it's Mike Collins|rating=5|genre=History|summary=This incredible graphic novel is a flawed system I can't think love letter to the Moon landings and the passion for the subject drips off every Apollo by Matt Fitch, Chris Baker and Mike Collins. This is a story we know well and because of a better onethis, particularly as the 'benevolent dictator' is as rare as hen's teethauthors take a few narrative shortcuts knowing that we can fill in the blanks. [[How These shortcuts are the only downside to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship by Ece Temelkuran|Full Review]] <!-- Anderson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1788037812the book. If you've ever read a comic book adaptation of a film you will be familiar with the slight feeling that there are scenes missing and that dialogue has been trimmed.jpg|link=http://wwwThis is a graphic novel that could easily have been three times as long and still felt too short.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788037812/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]}}{{Frontpage| styleisbn="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"1786331047|==title=[[The Fraternity of Race to Save the EstrangedRomanovs: The Fight for Homosexual Rights in England, 1891-1908 by Brian Anderson]]Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue Russia's Imperial Family|author=Helen Rappaport|rating==5[[image:5star.jpg|linkgenre=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]], [[:Category:Reference|Reference]]summary=The basic facts about the deaths of Nicholas and Alexandra, [[:Category:Biography|Biography]] Originally passed in 1885some of which were deliberately obscured at the time for various reasons, the law that had made homosexual relations a crime remained have long since been established. For the last few months of their lives in place for 82 years. But during this timeRussia the former Tsar and Tsarina, restrictions on same-sex relationships did not go unchallenged. Between 1891 their children and 1908few remaining servants were held in increasingly squalid, three books on the nature of homosexuality appearedhumiliating captivity. They were written by two homosexual men: Edward Carpenter To prevent them from being rescued, in July 1918 the revolutionary regime had them all shot and John Addington Symondsbayoneted to death in circumstances which, as well as once the heterosexual Havelock Ellis. Exploring the margins of society and studying homosexuality news was common on the European Continentconfirmed beyond all doubt, but barely talked about horrified their relatives in the UK, so the publications Europe.}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Woolf_Great|title=The Great Horizon: 50 Tales of these men were hugely significant – contributing to the scientific understanding Exploration|author=Jo Woolf|rating=3.5|genre=History|summary=Jo Woolf has compiled a brilliant set of homosexuality, and beginning fifty short insights into the struggle for recognition lives and equality, leading to achievements of some amazingly brave people. Their fearless journeys have helped us unlock many of the milestone legalisation of same-sex relationships in 1967. [[The Fraternity mysteries of the Estranged: The Fight for Homosexual Rights in Englandwildest parts of our world, 1891-1908 by Brian Anderson|Full Review]] <!-- Fitch -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:1910593508and also given us an understanding of what it is like to be faced with the most terrible conditions and still have the determination and grit to carry on.jpg|link=http://wwwThis book could be viewed as a taster which encourages us to seek out and read more about some of the most iconic explorers.amazonTheir stories are pretty incredible and Woolf does them justice.co.uk/dp/1910593508/ref=nosim?tag=thebookbag-21]]}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Mourby_Rooms| styletitle="vertical-alignRooms with a View: top; text-align: left;"The Secret Life of Great Hotels|===[[Apollo by Matt Fitch, Chris Baker and Mike Collins]]=author=Adrian Mourby|rating=4 [[image:5star.jpg|linkgenre=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]], [[:Category:Popular Science|Popular Science]] This incredible graphic novel is summary=Adrian Mourby has given us a love letter flying visit to each of fifty grand hotels, from fourteen regions of the Moon landings and world, with the passion for the subject drips off every Apollo hotels in each section being arranged chronologically rather than by Matt Fitchregion, Chris Baker and Mike Collinswhich helps to give something of an overall picture. This is So what makes a story we know well hotel 'grand'? The first hotel to call itself 'grand' was in Covent Garden in 1774 and because it ushered in the beginning of this, the authors take a few narrative shortcuts knowing that period when a hotel would be a lifestyle choice rather than a refuge for those without friends and family conveniently nearby. The hotels we can fill visit all began life in the blanksdifferent circumstances and each faced a different set of challenges. These shortcuts are We begin in the only downside Americas, move to the book. If you've ever read a comic book adaptation of a film you will be familiar with the slight feeling that there are scenes missing United Kingdom, circumnavigate Europe, briefly visit Russia and Turkey then northern Africa, India and that dialogue has been trimmedAsia. This is a graphic novel that could easily have been three times as long and still felt too short. [[Apollo by Matt FitchAustralia, it seems, Chris Baker and Mike Collins|Full Review]]does not go for the grand.}}<!-- Rappaport -->{{Frontpage|-isbn=Hailstone_Berlin| styletitle="widthBerlin in the Cold War: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|1959 to 1966[[image:1786331047.jpg|linkauthor=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786331047/refAllan Hailstone|rating=nosim?tag4|genre=thebookbag-21]] History| stylesummary="vertical-align''Berlin in the Cold War: top; text1959-align: left;"|===[[The Race 1966'' contains almost 200 photographs taken by author/photographer Allan Hailstone in his visits to Save the Romanovs: city during this period. The Truth Behind images provide an insight into the changing nature of the divide between East and West Berlin and a glimpse into life in the Secret Plans to Rescue Russia's Imperial Family by Helen Rappaport]]===city during the Cold War.}}[[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:HistoryFrontpage|History]]isbn=Moorehead_Russian|title=The Russian RevolutionThe basic facts about |author=Alan Moorehead|rating=The author was writing from a slightly different stance from most other historians. Only a decade after the deaths end of Nicholas and Alexandrathe Second World War, some of which were deliberately obscured at he was basing his account on the time for various reasons, have long since been established. For premise that the last few months of their lives in Russia Nazis' rise to power in Germany was connected with the former Tsar and Tsarinaheritage that Lenin had left behind, their children and few remaining servants were held in increasingly squalid, humiliating captivity. To prevent them from being rescued, in July 1918 the revolutionary regime had them all shot and bayoneted that without Stalin's assurances of support Hitler would never have dared to death in circumstances which, once plunge the news world into such a devastating global conflict. It was confirmed beyond all doubt, horrified their relatives his belief that America's post-war commitments in Europe. [[The Race to Save and the Romanovs: The Truth Behind Far East, and other post-1945 developments, could also be traced back to the Secret Plans to Rescue Russia's Imperial Family by Helen Rappaport|Full Review]] <!-- Woolf -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Woolf_Greatevents of 1917. Much of his material came from German archives which were saved from destruction when the Third Reich was on the brink of collapse.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910985880?ieThese documents that the German government would have kept private had they won the war provided full detail on the attempts of their forebears to pave the way for chaos and revolution in their Asiatic neighbour.|genre=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1910985880]] History| stylesummary="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"}}{{Frontpage|isbn=Anderson_Fantasyland|title=Fantasyland|author=Kurt Andersen|rating=[[The Great Horizon: 50 Tales of Exploration by Jo Woolf]]4|genre===History[[image:3.5star.jpg|linksummary=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]]Fantasyland covers the history of America from 1517 to 2017 in awesome detail. Covering five centuries of tempestuous history, [[:Category:Travel|Travel]] Jo Woolf has compiled a brilliant set of fifty short insights into Andersen paints the lives and achievements conjuring of some amazingly brave peopleAmerica in vivid relief. Their fearless journeys have helped us unlock many of Discussing everything from pilgrims to politicians, the mysteries of the wildest parts of our worldexhilarating gold rush to alternative facts, and also given us an understanding of what it is like to be faced seminal episodes are explored in forensic detail with the most terrible conditions and still have the determination and grit to carry onrazor-sharp wit. This book could be viewed as a taster which encourages us to seek out and read more about some of }}{{Frontpage|isbn=Way_Tea|title=Tea Gardens (Britain's Heritage Series)|author=Twigs Way|rating=4|genre=History|summary=Tea Gardens really began in London in the most iconic explorers. Their stories are pretty incredible and Woolf does them justice. [[The Great Horizonlate 18th century: 50 Tales of Exploration by Jo Woolf|Full Review]] <!-- Hailstone -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Hailstone_Berlina trip to Kings Cross or St Pancras was effectively a trip to the country in those days.jpg|left|link=https://wwwMen had their coffee houses, but they were not places where women could or would be seen.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445672901?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445672901]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Berlin in Tea was introduced to England in the 17th century but it was not until 1784 that the Cold War: 1959 high duty was reduced from 119% to 1966 by Allan Hailstone]]=== [[image:4star12½% and tea became the drink of choice for the nation.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]]Until then the working classes had been fuelled largely by cheap gin. Only, [[:Category:Travel|Travel]] ''Berlin in where would this beverage be drunk? One answer was the pleasure gardens where the Cold Warfashionable went to see and be seen: 1959-1966'' contains almost 200 photographs taken by author/photographer Allan Hailstone in his visits to the city during this period. The images provide an insight into the changing nature of the divide between East and West Berlin and a glimpse into life mid-1600s tea was also being served in the city during the Cold War. [[Berlin in the Cold War: 1959 to 1966 by Allan Hailstone|Full Review]] <!-- Moorehead -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Moorehead_Russian.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445667320?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445667320]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]] The author was writing from a slightly different stance from most other historians. Only a decade after the end of the Second World War, he was basing his account on the premise that the Nazis' rise to power in Germany was connected with the heritage that Lenin had left behind, and that without Stalin's assurances of support Hitler would never have dared to plunge the world into such a devastating global conflict. It was his belief that America's post-war commitments in Europe and the Far East, and other post-1945 developments, could also be traced back to the events of 1917. Much of his material came from German archives which were saved from destruction when the Third Reich was on the brink of collapse. These documents that the German government would have kept private had they won the war provided full detail on the attempts of their forebears to pave the way for chaos and revolution in their Asiatic neighbour.[[The Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead|Full Review]] <!-- Mourby -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Mourby_Rooms.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1785782754?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1785782754]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Rooms with a View: The Secret Life of Great Hotels by Adrian Mourby]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Travel|Travel]], [[:Category:History|History]] Adrian Mourby has given us a flying visit to each of fifty grand hotels, from fourteen regions of the world, with the hotels in each section being arranged chronologically rather than by region, which helps to give something of an overall picture. So what makes a hotel 'grand'? The first hotel to call itself 'grand' was in Covent Garden in 1774 and it ushered in the beginning of a period when a hotel would be a lifestyle choice rather than a refuge for those without friends and family conveniently nearby. The hotels we visit all began life in different circumstances and each faced a different set of challenges. We begin in the Americas, move to the United Kingdom, circumnavigate Europe, briefly visit Russia and Turkey then northern Africa, India and Asia. Australia, it seems, does not go for the grand. [[Rooms with a View: The Secret Life of Great Hotels by Adrian Mourby|Full Review]] <!-- Anderson -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Anderson_Fantasyland.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1785038656?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1785038656]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:History|History]], [[:Category:Politics and Society|Politics and Society]] Fantasyland covers the history of America from 1517 to 2017 in awesome detail. Covering five centuries of tempestuous history, Andersen paints the conjuring of America in vivid relief. Discussing everything from pilgrims to politicians, the exhilarating gold rush to alternative facts, seminal episodes are explored in forensic detail with razor-sharp wit. [[Fantasyland by Kurt Andersen|Full Review]]<br> <br> <!-- Way -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Way_Tea.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1445670011?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1445670011]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[Tea Gardens (Britain's Heritage Series) by Twigs Way]]=== [[image:4star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Lifestyle|Lifestyle]], [[:Category:History|History]] Tea Gardens really began in London in the late 18th century: a trip to Kings Cross or St Pancras was effectively a trip to the country in those days. Men had their coffee houses, but they were not places where women could or would be seen. Tea was introduced to England in the 17th century but it was not until 1784 that the high duty was reduced from 119% to 12½% and tea became the drink of choice for the nation. Until then the working classes had been fuelled largely by cheap gin. Only, where would this beverage be drunk? One answer was the pleasure gardens where the fashionable went to see and be seen: by the mid-1600s tea was also being served in places such as Ranelagh Gardens. [[Tea Gardens (Britain's Heritage Series) by Twigs Way|Full Review]] <!-- Stewart -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Stewart_Marches.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0099581892?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0099581892]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[The Marches by Rory Stewart]]=== [[image:5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Travel|Travel]], [[:Category:History|History]] The Observer quote on the front of the paperback edition of Stewart's latest book observes ''This is travel writing at its finest.'' Perhaps, but to call it travel writing is to totally under-sell it. This is erudition at its finest. Stewart has the background to do this: he had an international upbringing and followed his father in both the Army and the Foreign Office, and then (to his father's, bemusement, shall we say) became an MP. Oh, and he walked 6,000 miles across Afghanistan in 2002. A walk along the Scottish borders should be a doddle by comparison. [[The Marches by Rory Stewart|Full Review]] <!-- Parker -->|-| style="width: 10%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center;"|[[image:Parker_50.jpg|left|link=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1784937908?ie=UTF8&tag=thebookbag-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1784937908]]  | style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|===[[50 Things You Should Know About the Vikings by Philip Parker]]=== [[image:4.5star.jpg|link=Category:{{{rating}}} Star Reviews]] [[:Category:Children's Non-Fiction|Children's Non-Fiction]], [[:Category:Confident Readers|Confident Readers]], [[:Category:History|History]] The Vikings have got a lot to own up to. A huge DNA study in 2014 was the first thing that proved to the Orkney residents that they had Viking blood in their veins – they had been insisting it was that of the Irish. The Vikings it was that forced our English king's army to march from London to Yorkshire to kill off one invasion, only to spend the next fortnight schlepping back to Hastings to try and fend off another – and the Normans had the same Norse origin places such as the first lot, hence the name. There is a Thames Valley village just outside Henley – ie pretty damned far from the coast – that has a Viking longship on its signpost. Yes, they got to a lot of places, from Greenland to Kiev, from Murmansk to Turkey and the Med, and their misaligned history is well worth visiting – particularly on these pagesRanelagh Gardens. [[50 Things You Should Know About the Vikings by Philip Parker|Full Review]] <!-- DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE -->