"When history is written in this way, conventional priorities are overthrown. An admirable distillation of an enormous amount of evidence--full of what is beautiful, interesting and true."--James Fenton, The Sunday Times (London) "Colorfully weaves history, geography archaeology and anthropology into a mesmerizing tapestry chronicling the development ofEurope. Richly told, Cunliffe''s tale yields a wealth of insights into the earliest days of European civilization."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Vibrant. Europe Between the Oceans is eminently readable [and] synthesizes major themes in archaeology and history. One of the most accessible discussions available."--Cheryl Ward, International Journal of Maritime History " Europe Between the Oceans , at once compelling and judicious, is an extraordinary book.
A work of analytical depth and imaginative sweep. Lavishly illustrated and replete with a sumptuous array of creatively conceived color maps."--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic " Europe Between the Oceans , at once compelling and judicious, is an extraordinary book. A work of analytical depth and imaginative sweep. Lavishly illustrated and replete with a sumptuous array of creatively conceived color maps, Cunliffe''s book is further proof that its publisher produces the most beautiful and intelligently designed works of scholarship in the humanities. I can''t think of a better gift this year for the historically minded reader."--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly " Europe Between the Oceans is a work of great humanity, looking back across the abyss of time to catch a dim echo of our earlier selves. What is re-constructed is the early history of Europe, from the end of the last glaciation to the emergence of the continent''s first nations.
What is re-interpreted is something closer to human nature itself."--Peter N. Miller, New Republic "Europe Between the Oceans, at once compelling and judicious, is an extraordinary book. A work of analytical depth and imaginative sweep. Lavishly illustrated and replete with a sumptuous array of creatively conceived color maps."--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly ". a work of great humanity. What is re-constructed is the early history of Europe.
What is re-interpreted is something closer to human nature itself."--Peter N. Miller, New Republic "[Europe Between the Oceans] will become a permanent fixture in the libraries of all those for whom the origins of Europe remain a subject of fascination."--Bettina Arnold, American Scientist "A magnificent work by a credible authority who can actually write engaging prose and, in his area of expertise--archaeology--establish a new standard in excellence for this subject."--Tilly Wren, Bloomsbury Review "This tale is a human one, admirably told within a variety of geographical and ecological contexts. Remarkable. Europe between the Oceans is a model of interdisciplinary environmental history and a thoroughly enjoyable work. Cunliffe gracefully distills the essence of European development across a span of time as few authors would attempt, and he does so without sacrificing detail.
It is admirable in its accessibility, currency, and scope, with much to offer general readers as well as historians and archaeologists."--Vicki Ellen Szabo, Journal of World History "This is a truly remarkable book. It is immensely readable and totally authoritative. No one could read this book, one of its distinguished author''s finest achievements, without pleasure and profit. Simply put, it is excellent: original, exciting and a delight to read."--Roger Collins, author of Visigoth Spain, 409-711 and Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000 "Cunliffe provides an enthralling history of Europe from end of the last ice age to the brink of global exploration, an extraordinary story told with unsurpassed knowledge and insight."--Steven Mithen, author of After the Ice: A Global Human History 20,000-5000 BC "A fluent and authoritative overview from one of our best known and most respected archaeological writers highlighting the formative influence of contacts, coasts and rivers on the development of European societies from earliest times."--Chris Scarre, University of Durham, editor of The Human Past "An astonishment: a transformation of prehistoric and early Europe from a minor outpost of the five continents into a restless and influential maritime member of an expanding world.
Provocative but persuasive."--Aubrey Burl, author of A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany "This book is an achievement of astonishing scope: the first to present the whole prehistory of Europe from the origins of farming to the rise of urban society with evident authority, and then to go on to review the Roman world right through to the dawn of the Middle Ages. A pioneering work of synthesis on a continental scale, this is the first coherent overview of the origins of Europe which meets the challenge of treading the path from prehistory into the full light of history. Only an archaeologist could have written it, yet Professor Cunliffe has an impressive grasp also of the historical sources for the Roman world and its aftermath. His easy style should please the general reader, while the boldness and assurance of his masterly treatment will challenge and intrigue the specialist."--Lord Colin Renfrew, Formerly Disney Professor of Archaeology and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge.