CoastlineCoastline

THE STUNNING NEW BOOK FROM THE HOST OF BBC 2'S VILLAGES BY THE SEA From prehistory to the modern era, our coastline had shaped Britain, not only physically but socially, economically and culturally. Far from being at the margins of national interests, the coast has been at the heart of the British people's most important endeavours and central to era-defining national events. For thousands of years the coastline has been both Britain's frontier and its connection to the wider world. Exploring key coastal themes throughout British history and introducing some of the most significant, intriguing and quirky places that express the pivotal role our coastal heritage has played, archaeologist and presenter Ben Robinson looks to our coastline to tell not only the stories of our past, but also of our present. From artefacts lost by hunter-gatherers in a land beneath the sea to bustling medieval ports, smugglers' caves, early seaside resorts, fortifications and secret bases, the coast is resplendent with fascinating history to explore and enjoy. Interwoven with the author's own experiences, through his boundless historical knowledge the reader will learn of ancient legends, villages and towns lost to the waves, happy holiday memories and artistic expression are all invoked by places where the land meets the sea. Dr Ben Robinson is a British archaeologist and television presenter. Ben grew up in a Cambridgeshire fenland village, within a farming family. He has worked as a field archaeologist, an archaeological planning adviser, and once enjoyed the grand-sounding job title 'Inspector of Ancient Monuments'. Ben joined cult archaeological TV show Time Team for several series and has presented regional BBC TV features on heritage subjects from Roman treasure to Victorian rubbish. He has taken to the skies as 'The Flying Archaeologist', traced King John's final ill-fated journey and tracked the path of Zeppelin raids for BBC Four. Latterly, Ben has joined Alice Roberts as 'the eye in the sky' for three series of Channel 4's Britain's Most Historic Towns, presented village archaeology and history series Pubs, Ponds and Power: The Story of the Village, and now fronts Villages by the Sea for BBC Two. An exploration of the British coastline and how it has shaped modern Britain. Coastline will sit perfectly in the history area of the market. Given the UK focus it will have broad appeal with additional regional-specific draw. Author Ben Robinson is an archaeologist and TV show host, presenting the widely watched Villages by the Sea which has now been running for five series. Ben also works for English Heritage as inspector of Ancient Monuments, so we would hope to be able to utilise this connection to further support the book. The package will be a beautiful and nostalgic nod to the British coastline and the book itself will include charming illustrations to add to the overall feel of this as a celebration and exploration of a key element of British history.