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In Search of the Dark Ages

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In Search of the Dark Ages

By: Michael Wood
Narrated by: Marston York
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

In Search of the Dark Ages is an unrivalled exploration of the origins of English identity, and the bestselling book that established Michael Wood as one of Britain's leading historians. Now, on the book's 40th anniversary, this fully revised and expanded edition illuminates further the fascinating and mysterious centuries between the Romans and the Norman Conquest.

Alongside portraits of Boadicea, King Arthur, Alfred the Great, Athelstan, and William the Conqueror, the story of England is expanded further to include new voices, with all-new chapters on fascinating characters such as Penda of Mercia, Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, Hadrian the African, Eadgyth of England, and Wynflaed. It's an altogether richer, more varied, and inclusive study on the creation of Britain.

Just as it did when it first published 40 years ago, In Search of the Dark Ages overturns preconceptions of the Early Middle Ages as a shadowy and brutal era, showing them to be a richly exciting and formative period in the history of Britain.

© Michael Wood 2001 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Europe Great Britain Medieval Military England Middle Ages Arthurian
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The narrator’s voice was well suited to this complex material and difficult names. The history is grippingly told with plenty of detail that brought the figures fully to life. Highly recommended.

A challenging period of history brought to life

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I loved it. I have listened 3x and it still fills me with fascination . You feel as if you are in the mind of the shapers of a half millenium .

A wonderful review of history .

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Recommended. I learned much about both familiar characters and some, like the Lady of Mercia, who I was ignorant about.

Sheds light on the Dark Ages

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Nice voice and gave me a better understanding of a part of history I knew little about

Very informative

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A seminal work. Accessible, interesting and well read by the narrator. Well worth a listen.

Magnificent.

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