23.
BOOK REVIEW - A HISTORY OF ESSEX
by A. C. Edwards, Phillimore, £5.95
For those of us who are at all interested
in the history of our county, almost any book
devoted to that subject will be eyecatching
enough to induce a thumb-through at the book-
shop. With this book, closer inspection
reveals 40 excellent half-tone illustrations,
11 maps and countless lively line drawings
which decorate the margins of every page.
However, for somebody really interested
in local history, the contents will be dis-
appointing. The author begins with
Prehistoric and Roman Essex and finishes 90
pages later in the 20th Century. Throughout
the book the reader is taken at a gallop
past the events of 2000 years without really
knowing anything more about them. One of
Essex's greatest claims to fame, Boudicca and
her revolt, is dispensed with in a dozen lines,
although the 14th Century Peasants' Revolt is
more fairly dealt with. We are told nothing
about the Agrarian Revolution and its effects
on the area, nor are we told very much about
the historic administration of the county,
the towns or the villages. Architecture is
given more space, and I enjoyed reading about
the church buildings, materials and structures.
One thing that I found annoying was the
lack of concern about sources. Frequently we
are given an enticing smattering of informa-
tion but not told where to look to find out
more about it. Short bibliographies are given
at the end of each chapter, but they are no
substitute for references.
The book is a short survey of Essex's