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    Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials
    Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials
    Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials
    Audiobook13 hours

    Ancestors: A prehistory of Britain in seven burials

    Written by Alice Roberts

    Narrated by Alice Roberts

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    An extraordinary exploration of the ancestry of Britain through seven burial sites. By using new advances in genetics and taking us through important archaeological discoveries, Professor Alice Roberts helps us better understand life today.

    ‘This is a terrific, timely and transporting book - taking us heart, body and mind beyond history, to the fascinating truth of the prehistoric past and the present’ Bettany Hughes

    We often think of Britain springing from nowhere with the arrival of the Romans. But in Ancestors, pre-eminent archaeologist, broadcaster and academic Professor Alice Roberts explores what we can learn about the very earliest Britons, from burial sites and by using new technology to analyse ancient DNA.

    Told through seven fascinating burial sites, this groundbreaking prehistory of Britain teaches us more about ourselves and our history: how people came and went and how we came to be on this island. It explores forgotten journeys and memories of migrations long ago, written into genes and preserved in the ground for thousands of years.

    This is a book about belonging: about walking in ancient places, in the footsteps of the ancestors. It explores our interconnected global ancestry, and the human experience that binds us all together. It’s about reaching back in time, to find ourselves, and our place in the world.

    CRYPT, THE FINAL BOOK IN ALICE ROBERTS' BRILLIANT TRILOGY, IS OUT NOW. 
     
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio UK
    Release dateJun 10, 2021
    ISBN9781398500556
    Author

    Alice Roberts

    Professor Alice Roberts is an academic, author and broadcaster, specialising in human anatomy, physiology, evolution, archaeology and history. In 2001, Alice made her television debut on Channel 4’s Time Team, and went on to write and present The Incredible Human Journey, Origins of Us and Ice Age Giants on BBC2. She is also the presenter of the popular TV series Digging for Britain. Alice has been a Professor of Public Engagement with Science at the University of Birmingham since 2012.  

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    Reviews for Ancestors

    4.5/5

    96 ratings9 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a mix of disappointment and fascination. While some reviewers were disappointed by the author's focus on gender and feminist themes instead of archeology, others found the research and scope of the book to be interesting and fascinating. There were negative reviews criticizing the book as 'woke Limey feminist bull shit', but positive reviews praised the author's writing and narration. Overall, the book received mixed reviews, with some readers enjoying it and looking forward to reading more from the author.

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Interesting research, scope and connectedness. Fascinating topic, and author's reading performance excellent.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Absolutely adore watching Alice series visiting Britain’s most historic towns. She is a very knowledgeable lady-about a whole range of subjects, and this book is no exception. I loved it-fascinating listening. Absolutely worth listening to, or reading.What’s more is that she’s narrating her own book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      This book was absolutely fascinating. I really enjoyed the book, and narrator. I would recommend to any history buff!
    • 3/5
      It starts very good and informative, but later i felt being indoctrinated about multiple genders identity. Followed by open attack on religion and faith. "Death is the end...." yet she wants to certain things to happen to her remains or be prtected from others...?
      Book is biased and not objective.
    • 5/5
      One of the best and most thoughtful archaeological books I've read in some time. Research is up-to-date, as are perspectives on the state of the field and how the knowledge gained from studying our ancient ancestors (who, as the author correctly states "belong to everyone") can inform us here and now about our present. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Fantastic writing and narration. I'm already looking forward to reading Alice Roberts' other books
    • 2/5
      Good until she jumped on the gender/feminist/environment bandwagon. This was supposed to be a book about archeology. Very disappointing. To say in one breath that we shouldn't judge the past by our current viewpoint then apply these viewpoints is very hypocritical.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Started very well in a way that is easy to access and on subjects fascinating to anyone interested in european past. The narration is very good, with an appropriately thick british accent.
      However, the last third of the book was tiring, as the author seems to increasingly lose track of the subject, and we are served with manifesto-like reflections about the gender identity of long dead peoples, and the importance of avoiding bias, followed by the details of the life and work of one 19th century archeologic, and an history of cremation in modern britain. To be fair, she does have some good points, but her opinions could have been resumed in fewer words, wich would have left more room for the actual subject.
      Basically, much of this book is really a list of past and current hypotesises about the peoples found in thoses ancient burials, as well as a constant reminder that we don't really know and should stay critical.
      Bottom line: definitely listen to the first half.

      3 people found this helpful

    • 1/5
      Woke Limey feminist bull shit parading as academic treasures; nearly every word —past the middle— is fallacious tommyrot.

      1 person found this helpful