For all their sophistication, Roman roads are responsible for the narrowness of our train seats today. The first Victorian trains were built to the same width as horse-drawn wagons; they, in turn, were designed to fit the ruts left in the road by Roman chariots.
This fascinating and witty book explains how our national characteristics - our sense of humour, our hobbies, our favourite foods and our behaviour with the opposite sex - are all defined by our nation's extraordinary geography, geology, climate and weather.
You will learn how we would be as freezing cold as Siberia without the Gulf Stream; why we drive on the left-hand side of the road; why the Midlands became the home of the British curry. It identifies the materials that make England, too: the faint pink Aberdeen granite of kerbstones; that precise English mix of air temperature, smell and light that hits you the moment you touch down at Heathrow.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
A lovely book, very engaging and easy to read. There are chapters on weather and soil and stone, on the history of hedges or the making of suburbia, all of them infectious did-you-knows. Mount is a natural and enthusiastic sharer of knowledge (Evening Standard)
Charming and nerdily fact-stuffed (Guardian)
Lively, a delight. Mount's paragraphs explode with information . . . I love all this, want more, and am given it. The sort of book, in its temperament and in its detail, that has helped to make England English (Spectator)
Mount is as perceptive as he is obsessive, and time and again he skewers with unfailing accuracy some aspect of our national character (Mail on Sunday)
'Fascinating. Mount's an intelligent, funny and always interesting companion (Daily Mail)
Harry Mount is the author of Amo, Amas, Amat and All That, his best-selling book on Latin, and A Lust for Window Sills - A Guide to British Buildings. A journalist for many newspapers and magazines, he has been a New York correspondent and a leader writer for the Daily Telegraph. He studied classics and history at Oxford, and architectural history at the Courtauld Institute. He lives in north London.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
£ 4.93 shipping from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: Like New. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact with no nicks or tears. Spine has no signs of creasing. Pages are clean and not marred by notes or folds of any kind. Seller Inventory # wbs2854983646
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # wbs8840004173
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004285743
Quantity: 15 available
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Ex-Library Book. Has usual library markings and stamps inside. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006022358
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP78004754
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 9116862-6
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Grumpys Fine Books, Tijeras, NM, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: very good. little wear and tear. Seller Inventory # Grumpy0670919136
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: George Strange's Bookmart, Brandon, MB, Canada
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. 1st Edition. Mount, Harry HOW ENGLAND MADE THE ENGLISH: FROM HEDGEROWS TO HEATHROW New York, NY: Viking 2012 FIRST EDITION AN/AN 340pp. 8vo. Dust jacket is in great shape with a few small bumps along the edges. Red boards are clean with silver titling on the spine. Text is clean as well and binding remains strong. Overall book is in as new condition. Seller Inventory # 019108
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Richard Thornton Books PBFA, Old Langho, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. First Edition. This is a Mint Copy (As New) The book has a firm binding with no hinge weakness.There are no former names or inscriptions present.Lovely clean tight copy for the collector,8vo 340pp First Edition 1st Impression [2012]. Seller Inventory # 83165
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Grumpys Fine Books, Tijeras, NM, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: new. Prompt service guaranteed. Seller Inventory # Clean0670919136
Quantity: 1 available