1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

the time the record of the journey seems to have been widely read. The Mediterranean world didn't make contact again with Britain for another 300 years when Julius Caesar arrived on its shores with his Roman legions. What Cunliffe does well here is to deal only with known facts about the journey without making any leaps of faith or illogical conclusions. He provides evidence to back up what we already know about the journey but never tries to fill in any gaps with his own theories. This approach makes for a slim (180 pages) volume that is readable and compelling without being technical or overbearing. Some people may wish to have a bit more information presented to them, but I think the book works well as an detailed overview of the event. I'm sure a man of Barry Cunliffe's knowledge and capabilities could have produced a book that had three times the amount of information and a more detailed archaeological background, so this was obviously not his intention. Readability seems to have been the over riding factor rather than in depth academic presentation. Those who wish to dig deeper will find that this book gives them enough leads from which to start their own line of enquiry. It is only a small story in the scheme of history, but as fascinating and revealing today as it was over two millennia ago.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Book reviews: The Extraordinary Voyage of Pytheas The Greek, by Barry Cunliffe?
We want to hear your view. Write now!