The Road: A Story of Romans and Ways to the Past

The Road is a book by Christopher Hadley that explores the Roman road network in Britain, which was built in 43 CE and changed the landscape. Hadley retraces the route of an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain, gathering traces of archaeology, history, and landscape from poems, church walls, hag stones, cropmarks, oxlips, killing places, hauntings, and immortals. The book is an absolute joy to read and an early contender for History Books of the Year.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The Roman roads that have shaped the course of history for over two thousand years are a subject of fascination for many. Almost everyone in Britain lives close to a Roman road, but many are unaware of their existence. In the beginning, Watling Street was the first road scored on the land when the invading Romans arrived in 43 CE. Campaign roads were rolled out to all points of the compass, forcing their way inland as the Britons fell back. The roads pursued them relentlessly, carrying troops, supplies, and military despatches.

As the legions pushed onwards across what is now England, Wales, and north into Scotland in search of booty, mineral wealth, land, and tribute, they left behind a vast road network that linked marching camps and forts, changing the landscape and etching the story of the Roman advance into the face of the land.

Christopher Hadley, the acclaimed author of Hollow Places, takes us on a lyrical journey into this past, retracing and searching for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain. His passage is not always easy, as time and nature have erased many clues. Bridges rotted, and whole woods grew across the route, making it difficult to trace the original path. Carters found an easier ford downstream, and people broke up its milestones to mend new paths.

Year after year, the heavy clay swallowed whole lengths of the road, turning it into a bridleway, an ove. Despite these challenges, Hadley perseveres, using his expertise and knowledge of the area to piece together the story of the Roman road.

The Roman road that he discovers is a testament to the ingenuity and engineering skills of the Roman civilization. It is a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the Roman Empire and the impact that it had on the world.

The book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in history, archaeology, or the natural world. It is a beautifully written and informative journey that will leave readers in awe of the Roman roads and the legacy that they have left behind.

In conclusion, the Roman roads that have shaped the course of history for over two thousand years are a subject of fascination and wonder. Christopher Hadley's book, Hollow Places, is a lyrical journey into this past, retracing and searching for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain. Despite the challenges that he faces, Hadley perseveres, using his expertise and knowledge to piece together the story of the Roman road. The book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in history, archaeology, or the natural world, and it is a beautifully written and informative journey that will leave readers in awe of the Roman roads and the legacy that they have left behind.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008356699