If, like me, you’re fascinated by the myriad islands dotted around the British coastline then this book is for you.
It isn’t comprehensive by any means – that would equate to quite a hefty tome – but covers over 50 individual isles or archipelagos, including such lumps of rock as St Kilda, Rockall and Fair Isle.
Each island is afforded a concise overview and although you don’t get a detailed history for each entry, the text provides a glimpse into the island’s past, legends, customs and landscape, etc.
As the publisher’s promotional leaflet states: “Take a journey, take a leap and discover lands you never knew. Explore Lundy, the perfect refuge for pirates…St Kilda, the tiny island that was inhabited for over 2000 years but now lies abandoned; or Hy Brasil, a mirage that was featured on maps for centuries but never even existed.”
The book is written by Mathew Clayton while illustrations are by Anthony Atkinson. One annoying feature for me, though, is the style of font chosen for the text. Personally, I don’t find it the clearest to read but that’s just my opinion.
Overall, it’s an interesting little book worthy of a place on your bookshelf, alongside more scholarly and detailed tomes, providing a look into the lives of these tiny worlds just off our shores.
Further info:
Lundy, Rockall, Dogger, Fair Isle – A Celebration of the Islands Around Britain
by Mathew Clayton & Anthony Atkinson, published by Ebury Press in hardback, price £12.99.