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Michael Wood has become a big name in the world of TV in recent years, partly due to the new status afforded charismatic history presenters and also through writing such popular documentaries as In The Footsteps of Alexander the Great and Conquistadors. But alongside his high profile TV work, Wood has written a string of successful books aimed at both the leyman and student alike. In Search Of The Dark Ages spans a thousand year stretch of British history from the assimilation of the Celtic culture by the Roman Empire, to the fall of the Anglo-Saxons with the Norman Invasion of 1066. This thousand years period is a time of invasions by various surrounding cultures and Woods book takes each of these incursions in turn and examines the causes and effects of each.

The period from the Roman period through the Dark Ages and ending with the Norman overlords, is one with very little writing by the indigenous population and thus a lot of source material is based on the perspective of those viewing the situation from afar. It is for this reason that the period is open to some of the most distorted interperations of history, but thankfully Wood presents a very factual account of the period with out resorting to speculation. His information also shows its sources and is backed up by evidence that can be checked.

The starting point of the book is Boadicea, celtic warrior queen and antagonist of the newly arrived Romans. Although technically not the Dark Ages it does set the scene for the myriad invasions to come. Coming mainly from the pen of Roman author Dio Cassius her treatment and subsequent revolt, echoes through all of the later invasions, finally to see her as a national figure of Britishness under the Victorians.

A chapter on Arthur examines the scant evidence left in writings of the time and examines the various theories as to the person and the location of his activities, and is worth reading for anyone who wants an overview of the myths. From Tintagael in Cornwall, Cadbury and Glastonbury in Somerset, through Wales and even as far as the Scottish border, locations are considered for the birth of his legend. In light of the recent film, fans and critics of it would do well to read this chapter and the book in general for some historical overview of the period.

In the early Saxon period, the site of Sutton Hoo, the burial place of a great king, possibly Raedwald, is disscussed as is the greatest king of the period, Offa of Mercia. Coming to the throne through violence, Offa became the first Saxon king to exert influence over all of Britain and is thus acknowledged as the first Bretwalda, or high king. The most famous Dark Age king follows, Alfred the Great king of Wessex and England, as it was now called. A great achiever in both war and peace, his accomplishments are discussed and the reasons for his title of "great" examined.

Chapters on Athelstan, Eric Bloodaxe and Ethelred the Unready follow the ups and downs of the fortunes of the major players in the war for control of the island between Saxon and Viking, and the final chapter covers the Norman Invasion under William which marks the end of the Dark Age period.

The book is written in a factual manner, never straying into anything close to speculation always staying with provable facts, and Woods style reflects his own presnting skills which are accessible and non-academic. This book is aimed at the non-specialist reader but contains enough information for anyone studying the subject below university level, it contains a wealth of information, a few good photographs of artefacts and locations, and some very useful genealogical diagrams. All in all a great introduction to a period that has become a popular area of study.

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