Wonderful article! Makes me want to travel!! I was able to visit the Colosseum in 2022, however I suggest you don’t go with a tour group. We were rushed so much we didn’t get to spend any time looking at displays / exhibits. Same thing at the Vatican.
As far as the current society building anything like the cathedral of Edward I I’m afraid I don’t see it happening. In the States anyway we have so many buildings that are vacant or left to fall into decay. It seems like nothing is built to last . Hence our attraction to and appreciation of such buildings as the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. I’m grateful you preserve your past and heritage .
I consider it part of my heritage too since my ancestors are from across the pond!
Yes! I live in Texas where 100 years ago was ancient history (😳), so I am especially appreciative places such as The Tower and those beautiful cathedrals, castles, and palaces. I almost cried the first time I saw that section of the old Roman wall just north of The Tower.
Great interview, she is one of my favourite historians too. She should definitely write the follow up about the structures she didn't include this time! Hoping that I'll get to see her at the Gloucester History Festival in April.
Richard Halburton’s book of that same title made me aware in the 1940’s got my attention that more than Warwick Street, Portland,Maine existed!
He took me many places via boos he wrote that later I had to visit. He had me along when he did another called The Seven Wonders of the Modern World which brought me to the top of Golden Gate Bridge as he joined a crew painting it. He built Hangover House in Laguna Beach, down the road from where i now live. Died young trying to cross the Pacific in a Chines Junk and drowned at sea after one last wireless telling his dad in Tennessee he was sinking! Tragic! Big loss !
how many of us were sucked into history from one of those Eyewitness Books that featured an ancient wonder? lovely interview :) would need to see the phallic columns to believe them
Regarding the phallic columns at Karahantepe: you've seen one, you've seen them all 😂. The pillars at Gobekli Tepe are nearby and they are really cool but the entire area is so interesting since: a) they were built in the period before agriculture and b) most of those sites are just before or after the Younger Dryas period, which is pretty remarkable.
Another historian writing a children's book 😀 This book for grown ups sounds fascinating, though, not just for myself, but it will make a great gift for a number of people.
BTW a school trip to Egypt and Israel?! A 25-mile trip to the Leiden Museum of Antiquities was the best my school could do!
I always enjoy seeing/hearing Bettany in podcasts or television programs. I have been intrigued by the Pyramids of Giza since I was a child. I wonder if Stonehenge would have made the list had anyone in the “civilized” world known about it. Thank you for bringing Bettany to us, Dan, and I certainly plan to order her book!
That's a great interview, Dan. Bethany Hughes is an international treasure almost as valuable as those Seven Wonders! I'll definitely have to pre-order her book. There isn't much to see of any of those Wonders now in their original locations, with the exception of the Great Pyramid of Giza. So, I'll be interested in how she writes about the locations. I've been to all of the sites but the best bits are in various museums around the world (or under water). The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are amongst the most interesting ruins and Bethany has nothing to worry about travelling to Iraq right now (but maybe her production company would feel otherwise). Thanks for adding the "guest interview" section to your newsletter!
It was watching one of Bettany's first tv programmes (Spartans I think, but could be wrong) that reignited a lost love of history. Her passion for the subject matter she is talking about, draws you in and has you hooked in no time.
It is the same with her books. I tend to read them in a matter of days as they are very hard to put down. I'll certainly be buying her new book on release.
Wonderful article! Makes me want to travel!! I was able to visit the Colosseum in 2022, however I suggest you don’t go with a tour group. We were rushed so much we didn’t get to spend any time looking at displays / exhibits. Same thing at the Vatican.
As far as the current society building anything like the cathedral of Edward I I’m afraid I don’t see it happening. In the States anyway we have so many buildings that are vacant or left to fall into decay. It seems like nothing is built to last . Hence our attraction to and appreciation of such buildings as the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. I’m grateful you preserve your past and heritage .
I consider it part of my heritage too since my ancestors are from across the pond!
Yes! I live in Texas where 100 years ago was ancient history (😳), so I am especially appreciative places such as The Tower and those beautiful cathedrals, castles, and palaces. I almost cried the first time I saw that section of the old Roman wall just north of The Tower.
I was so excited to see the Tower of London, Cardiff Castle, Hadrian’s Wall, etc. as the Brits would say… I was gob smacked!!! I understand the tears!
Great interview, she is one of my favourite historians too. She should definitely write the follow up about the structures she didn't include this time! Hoping that I'll get to see her at the Gloucester History Festival in April.
Richard Halburton’s book of that same title made me aware in the 1940’s got my attention that more than Warwick Street, Portland,Maine existed!
He took me many places via boos he wrote that later I had to visit. He had me along when he did another called The Seven Wonders of the Modern World which brought me to the top of Golden Gate Bridge as he joined a crew painting it. He built Hangover House in Laguna Beach, down the road from where i now live. Died young trying to cross the Pacific in a Chines Junk and drowned at sea after one last wireless telling his dad in Tennessee he was sinking! Tragic! Big loss !
how many of us were sucked into history from one of those Eyewitness Books that featured an ancient wonder? lovely interview :) would need to see the phallic columns to believe them
Regarding the phallic columns at Karahantepe: you've seen one, you've seen them all 😂. The pillars at Gobekli Tepe are nearby and they are really cool but the entire area is so interesting since: a) they were built in the period before agriculture and b) most of those sites are just before or after the Younger Dryas period, which is pretty remarkable.
Definitely going to buy this book 📖.
Very curious to reading it 📖.
Bettany Hughs is my N#1 Fav TV Historian, sorry mate but, yep. Your N#2 (Dan Snow's like N#6, so..)
Another historian writing a children's book 😀 This book for grown ups sounds fascinating, though, not just for myself, but it will make a great gift for a number of people.
BTW a school trip to Egypt and Israel?! A 25-mile trip to the Leiden Museum of Antiquities was the best my school could do!
I always enjoy seeing/hearing Bettany in podcasts or television programs. I have been intrigued by the Pyramids of Giza since I was a child. I wonder if Stonehenge would have made the list had anyone in the “civilized” world known about it. Thank you for bringing Bettany to us, Dan, and I certainly plan to order her book!
That's a great interview, Dan. Bethany Hughes is an international treasure almost as valuable as those Seven Wonders! I'll definitely have to pre-order her book. There isn't much to see of any of those Wonders now in their original locations, with the exception of the Great Pyramid of Giza. So, I'll be interested in how she writes about the locations. I've been to all of the sites but the best bits are in various museums around the world (or under water). The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are amongst the most interesting ruins and Bethany has nothing to worry about travelling to Iraq right now (but maybe her production company would feel otherwise). Thanks for adding the "guest interview" section to your newsletter!
What a great interview, thanks Dan.
It was watching one of Bettany's first tv programmes (Spartans I think, but could be wrong) that reignited a lost love of history. Her passion for the subject matter she is talking about, draws you in and has you hooked in no time.
It is the same with her books. I tend to read them in a matter of days as they are very hard to put down. I'll certainly be buying her new book on release.