Stone Lands - by Fiona Robertson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Journeying across Britain, from West Penwith and Avebury to the Lake District and Orkney, Stone Lands uncovers the magic and rich history of our incredible prehistoric standing stones. It conveys the delight that lies in tracking them down, as well as the solace these ancient places offer in times of darkness.

A few months after discovering that her beloved husband, Stephen, had incurable cancer, Fiona Robertson began to write this book. A long-time megalith enthusiast, she found the ancient stones resonated with her more profoundly than ever as she faced the prospect of losing him. Set upright thousands of years ago, the megaliths are symbols of endurance and survival, standing in contrast to our ephemeral human lives. Infused with folklore, legend and mystery, they enchant the landscape and bring magic to our modern world.

This enthralling memoir is woven delicately around great grief but is ultimately about embracing life, joy and ancient wonder - a luminous reminder of what it means to exist on this earth.

Stone Lands is beautifully illustrated inside with stunning black and white line drawings by the illustrator and printmaker Philip Harris. Find out more about his work: www.philipharrisillustration.com

'A reminder that the ancient stones can be sources of reassurance and solidity, even in our times of greatest upheaval and loss.' Angeline Morrison

Review Quotes

'Stone Lands brims with the intrigue and delight of the modern antiquarian who journeys to the sacred spaces of these isles to connect with the ways of our ancestors.'--Dr James Canton

'Stone Lands is a human journey into grief, hope and love. It's a fantastic book for weird walkers and megalith-obsessives alike.'--Weird Walk

'A wonderful and moving book: part personal memoir and part tribute to the megaliths in our midst which - in strange and subtle ways - still have so much wisdom to impart.'--Oliver Smith

'A wonderful story of grief, self-discovery, hope and reconnection to our ancient past and landscapes.'--Ben Edge

'There's a real sense of peace and magic in this beautiful book.'--Daisy Buchanan

'Written with great craft, sensitivity and authority, Fiona Robertson offers a wonderfully evocative, and at times deeply personal and poignant, account of the ancient sites and landscapes of Britain.'--Prof. Josh Pollard

About the Author

Fiona Robertson is a writer, editor and committed megalith enthusiast who drags her family all over the country in search of standing stones. She is passionate about archaeology, history and folklore, and in a former life as a publishing industry professional enjoyed building a list exploring these topics. Her cool megalith-focused commissions include The Old Stones by The Megalithic Portal, which won the Current Archaeology Book of the Year award. Follow her stones adventures on Instagram: @stone_lands