3 Review(s)

In 1973, when A New Historical Geography of England was originally published, it was generally agreed that Professor Darby and his fellow contributors had produced the authoritative historical geography of England. That volume now appears as a paperback in two separate books. The division has been made at 1600. Chapters describing the landscape at particular periods are alternate with others that narrate and explain the successive changes. This book takes the story of the development of the English landscape through the agricultural and industrial revolutions to the end of the nineteenth century. There are also descriptions of the face of the country at 1800 before the coming of the railways, at 1850 and again at the end of that century. For all students of historical geography this is an essential book. Many others interested in the history of the landscape of England will also find it illuminating and valuable.