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All the Wide Border

Wales, England and the Places Between

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About this listen

 A Waterstones Travel Book of the Year 2023

A funny, warm and timely meditation on identity and belonging, following the scenic route along the England–Wales border: Britain’s deepest faultline.

There is a line on the map: to one side Wales, small, rugged and stubborn; on the other England, crucible of the most expansionist culture the world has ever seen. It is a line that has been dug, debated, defined and defended for twenty centuries.

All the Wide Border is a personal journey through the places, amongst the people, and across the divides of the border between England and Wales. Taking in some of our loveliest landscapes, and our darkest secrets, this is a region of immeasurable wonder and interest. It is here that the deepest roots and thorniest paradoxes of Britishness lie. The border between the countries, even as a concept, is ragged, jagged and many-layered.

Garlanded author Mike Parker has adored and explored these places his entire life. Born in England but settled in Wales, he finds himself typical of many in being pulled in both directions. His journey is divided into three legs, corresponding with the watersheds of the three great border rivers: the Dee in the north, the Severn in the centre, the Wye in the south. Neither quite England nor Wales, the furzy borderland he uncovers — the March — is another country.

Picking apart the many notions and clichés of Englishness, Welshness and indeed Britishness, Mike Parker plays with the very idea of borders: our fascination with them, our need for them, and our response to their power. In his hands, the England–Wales frontier is revealed to be a border within us all, and it is fraying, fast.

 Europe Great Britain Travel Writing & Commentary England Funny

Critic reviews

‘I loved this book. Mike Parker weaves together a great deal of wide reading, hard thinking and soulful tramping in his funny, thoughtful and evocative investigation of the Welsh–English border.’ Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession and Peep Show

‘Delightful and perceptive … Poses searching questions about identity, culture and political power.’ Waterstones Books of the Year

‘A joyful canter through the Marches. Delightfully engaging. Blending history, literature and personal anecdote, Mike Parker writes with energy and wit.’ TLS

‘No-one maps the secrets of the UK quite like Mike Parker.’ Ayesha Hazarika

‘A brilliant, fascinating book; Parker is funny and lyrical whilst always choosing brutal truth over sentimentality.’ Miles Jupp

'Classic Parker – a delicious, learned tour through a fascinating place.' Tom Bullough, author of Sarn Helen

‘Genuinely great.’ Adrian Chiles

'I gobbled this up.' Jude Rogers

‘A beautifully written journey through the history and landscape of the border country and a clear-eyed analysis of its physical and psychological dividing line – the best kind of travelogue.’ Richard King, author of Brittle with Relics: A History of Wales, 1962–97

‘This enthralling journey beautifully celebrates our ancient frontier land and is a present-day reminder of its’ enduring duty.’ Tudur Owen, BAFTA winning comedian and presenter

‘I was often overcome by “fierce wonder”. Fine writing indeed.’ John Sam Jones, author of The Journey is Home

‘Engaging, entertaining and very readable.’ Nation.Cymru

‘A likeable, highly literate companion.’ New Welsh Review

‘A kind of mini-biography of the British psyche emerges from Parker's work, its learning lightly worn and its tales well told, full of interest and incident’ Horatio Clare

All stars
Most relevant
This book is a well researched and warm insight into this fascinating part of the world. I loved the blending of the contemporary with the historic. It's an added bonus that it is read by the author.

Beautifully written and read

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There is very much to enjoy here.
Pity it is spoiled by childish vulgar prurient language.

A knowledgeable history of Wales

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Makes you want to visit every location talked about- being based in Shrewsbury I will use his what three word references and look them up. fantastic book.

Amazing knowledge of the local areas

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Probably about half of the book isn't actually about travel. It is about the authors opinion on the state of both countries and massively in favour of the Welsh and independence. I am a border lad having lived both sides and speak fairly decent Welsh but I found it to be so anti-English. If you want to hear all about the conservatives and how much they messed up Brexit, the country, the economy etc then buy this book. if you want a travel book then don't!

I found it particularly irritating the way Mike speaks in silly mocking accents when imitating people from the past. People with far great achievements then simply writing a mediocre travel book.

Saved itself a star as I did learn one or two bits but seriously spend your time and money elsewhere.

Politically motivated and condescending

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