Peter Hargreaves

Review: A Geography of Offerings: Deposits of Valuables in the Landscapes of Ancient Europe (Oxbow Insights in Archaeology) by Richard Bradley (2016) Assessment 8 out of 10

December 12, 2019December 12, 2019No Comments

Takes the long view over a wide geographic area. Bradley argues the importance of metal objects has been over-, the general makeup of deposits and location of find spots, under-emphasised, and the sacrifice of living creatures, combined with feasting, over the long period is more important than the deposit of valuables. Deposits were made repeatedly … Continue reading Review: A Geography of Offerings: Deposits of Valuables in the Landscapes of Ancient Europe (Oxbow Insights in Archaeology) by Richard Bradley (2016) Assessment 8 out of 10

Cycling in the Eastern Parishes between rainstorms

December 12, 2019January 8, 2020No Comments

Exploration between showers in my favourite part of my favourite Island.

Discussion: FitzRoy, the Remarkable Story of Darwin’s Captain and the Invention of the Weather Forecast by John and Mary Gribbin

December 12, 2019December 12, 2019No Comments

There was general agreement the Book needed editing and more than the single outline map it includes. Unfortunately it makes the case against self-publication. It was felt some of the differences between assessments represented different measures of the score to award, as much as different evaluations of the Book itself. Leonard & Peter were inclined … Continue reading Discussion: FitzRoy, the Remarkable Story of Darwin’s Captain and the Invention of the Weather Forecast by John and Mary Gribbin

Review: FitzRoy, the Remarkable Story of Darwin’s Captain and the Invention of the Weather Forecast by John and Mary Gribbin (2016) Assessment 3 out of 10

December 11, 2019December 12, 2019No Comments

I thought I was going to like this Book more than I did. The paragraphs were over-long. The Book could have been interesting as a study of the relationship of two men, but it purported to be a biography of Fitzroy, which just happens to include part of the life of Darwin, not all of … Continue reading Review: FitzRoy, the Remarkable Story of Darwin’s Captain and the Invention of the Weather Forecast by John and Mary Gribbin (2016) Assessment 3 out of 10

Wet autumn in the Parish of Grouville, Jersey

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019No Comments

In 2019 we have had a consistently wet autumn with rain every day for long periods. The moisture in the air has meant the colours have been superb, their richness telling you it is just about to rain again. The Pictures below were taken immediately around our house. Home is where the heart is.

Cheviot Goat and Island Ecosystems

December 2, 2019December 3, 2019No Comments

On this post I link two events. I attended a two day seminar at Société Jersiaise on Island Biodiversity. Of the many impressive and thought provoking presentations, one in particular caught my attention, by Catherine Wensink of UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. This is a UK Charity focused on island ecology in Britain’s Overseas Territories. … Continue reading Cheviot Goat and Island Ecosystems

Review: Britannia,the Failed State;Tribal Conflicts and the End of Roman Britain by Stuart Laycock (2008) Assessment 7 out of 10

November 29, 2019November 29, 2019No Comments

Laycock is a Cambridge classicist who, as an aid worker, saw state-break up at first hand in Bosnia and Kosovo. That experience clearly influenced his thesis that in Britain Romanization was only skin deep; there were continuing tribal divisions, which the Roman regime in Britain exacerbated as much as reduced. Rome introduced civil administration based … Continue reading Review: Britannia,the Failed State;Tribal Conflicts and the End of Roman Britain by Stuart Laycock (2008) Assessment 7 out of 10

Review: The Great Partition; the Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan (2007) Assessment 9 out of 10

November 28, 2019December 14, 2019No Comments

Events, in 1946 and 1947, are described, culminating in British withdrawal and establishment of the new states of India and Pakistan. The book runs to 210 pages, plus maps, a list of abbreviations, a glossary, monochrome photographs, notes, a bibliography and index. For £12 it is good value. The book records both the negotiation of … Continue reading Review: The Great Partition; the Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan (2007) Assessment 9 out of 10

Review: Human Evolution ; an Illustrated Introduction by Roger Lewin (2004) Assessment 6 out of 10

November 28, 2019December 3, 2019No Comments

Climbing down a cliff, I broke my ankle. In the resulting period of enforced idleness, I signed up for an online course, for which this was the recommended text. It is a relatively big (21×27.5 cms), but short book of 252 pages, plus a glossary and index. Closely printed in two columns, there are numerous … Continue reading Review: Human Evolution ; an Illustrated Introduction by Roger Lewin (2004) Assessment 6 out of 10

Review: The Prehistory of the Mind; a Search for the Origins of Art, Religion and Science by Steven Mithen(1998) Assessment 9 out of 10

November 28, 2019August 10, 2023No Comments

Mithen’s central thesis is that the development of children’s minds mirrors development of the human brain and therefore the course of evolution. The text is 250 pages long, including numerous diagrams. These are followed by 50 pages of two column closely printed notes and further reading, a source to be plundered. The thesis is like … Continue reading Review: The Prehistory of the Mind; a Search for the Origins of Art, Religion and Science by Steven Mithen(1998) Assessment 9 out of 10