Graham Robb

Victor Hugo was the most important writer of the nineteenth century in France: leader of the Romantic movement, Revolutionary playwright, poet, epic novelist, author of the last universally accessible masterpieces in the European tradition, among them Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He was also a radical political thinker and eventual exile from France, a gifted painter and architect, and a visionary who conversed with Virgil, Shakespeare, and Jesus Christ – in short, a tantalizing personality who dominated and maddened his contemporaries. Graham Robb has written an extraordinary biography that does full justice to the drama of his subject’s life – a life that Robb calls ‘the most lucid case of madness in literature’. By grasping the giant in his entirety and in his many disguises, Robb, bestselling author of The Discovery of France, rewards us with a panorama of French and European society from the Revolution to the dawn of the twentieth century. Victor Hugo won the Whitbread Award for Biography and the Royal Society of Literature award.

'Robb has found a new format for writing history just as Craig Brown found a fresh way to write biography' – Alan Johnson 'Rarely does history feel so beguiling' - The Observer 'A treasure house of a book' - The Spectator Taking you on a time-travelling adventure around the 'spindly, sea-wracked islands' we call home, The Discovery of Britain is history that's panoramic and intimate, poignant and shocking, seriously funny, and enlightening in the most surprising way. In the assured hands of the prize-winning author of The Discovery of France, and often from the unique vantage point of his bicycle, we encounter an entertaining cast of characters foreign and homegrown, drop in on places and events, and dwell on the successes and catastrophes across British history. From ancient settlements swallowed up by the sea and the creation of Stonehenge to the advent of multiculturalism and recent political earthquakes, all is seen as it’s never been seen before. With intriguing maps and illustrations throughout, The Discovery of Britain can be devoured whole or each chapter read in the time it takes to change a bicycle tyre or drink a cup of coffee. The wonderful choice of how to enjoy this original and sweeping history of Britain is yours.

A surprising history of Britain, from 500 million BC to the next election'Graham Robb has found a new format for writing history just as Craig Brown found a fresh way to write biography' - Alan Johnson'Robb tumbles into British history with an infectious enthusiasm . . . immensely entertaining’ - Chris Bryant, author of The Glamour BoysTaking the reader on a time-travelling adventure around the ‘spindly, sea-wracked islands’ we call home, The Discovery of Britain is history that's panoramic and intimate, poignant and shocking, seriously funny, and enlightening in the most surprising way.In the assured hands of the prize-winning author of The Discovery of France, and often from the unique vantage point of his bicycle, we encounter an entertaining cast of characters foreign and homegrown, drop in on places and events, and dwell on the successes and catastrophes across British history, seeing it all as it’s never been seen before.Personal, political, geographical and social in scope, and with intriguing maps and illustrations throughout, The Discovery of Britain can be devoured whole or each chapter read in the time it takes to change a bicycle tyre or drink a cup of coffee. The wonderful choice of how to enjoy this original and sweeping history of Britain – from ancient settlements swallowed up by the sea and the creation of Stonehenge to the advent of multiculturalism and recent political earthquakes – is yours._____Praise for Graham Robb:'Elegant, entertaining and occasionally brilliant' - The Observer'Pedals along with never a dull moment' -The Sunday Times'Robb carries the reader along on flawless prose' – The Times'Beautifully written' – TLS'Robb is a fascinating and hugely knowledgeable guide' – London Review of Books'Clear-eyed but imaginative storytelling' – Financial Times

Grekhem Robb - britanskij pismennik, literaturnij kritik, istorik, kavaler Ordena mistetstv ta literaturi, avtor bestseleriv The New York Times. Jogo knizhki otrimali Premiju Daffa Kupera, Premiju Korolivskogo literaturnogo tovaristva ta Veliku medal mista Parizh. Krajinoznavchi materiali Robba unikalni: pratsjujuchi nad svojimi knizhkami, vin ne lishe priskiplivo vivchaje pratsi vchenikh ta zhurnalistiv, a j desjatilittjami provodit vlasni doslidzhennja, mandrujuchi na velosipedi najriznomanitnishimi kutochkami Frantsiji.Jaskravi narisi Grekhema Robba pro sotsialnu, politichnu ta geografichnu istoriju Frantsiji povnistju rujnujut kanonichne ujavlennja pro tsju krajinu i dajut zmogu pogljanuti pid inshim kutom na, zdavalosja b, khrestomatijni postati Ljudovika XIV, Napoleona Bonaparta, Sharlja de Gollja. Avtoru je chim zdivuvati navit najbilshikh frankofiliv, i v tsij knizi vin vidkrito pro tse zajavljaje! Zi storinok, na jakikh prigodnitski sjuzheti tisno pereplitajutsja z litopisnimi urivkami, vi diznajetesja, zokrema:* jak gallskij zhivoplit zupiniv i naljakav rimsku armiju;* scho parovij mekhanizm robiv u dogotichnomu sobori za shist soten rokiv do opanuvannja energijeju pari;* chi spravdi derevo piznannja roslo u samisinkomu tsentri Frantsiji;* zavdjaki chomu Napoleon vvazhav sebe prjamim naschadkom Ljudini v zaliznij mastsi;* chomu bojovij statut 1914 roku dlja "velikikh pidrozdiliv" armiji buv napisanij jak dlja serednovichnikh litsariv;* de roztashovana kaplitsja Bogoroditsi velosipedistiv.PerekladachNatalija Jatsjuk

'An extraordinary journey of discovery' - Daily Telegraph'Pedals along with never a dull paragraph . . . dazzling' - The Sunday TimesIlluminating, engrossing and full of surprises, The Discovery of France is the tale of Graham Robb's 14,000-mile journey across France on a bicycle to uncover an alternative history.France is a country famous for its intellectuals, its philosophers and writers, its fashion, food and wine. And yet the notion of 'the French' as one nation is relatively recent and, historically speaking, quite misleading. In order to discover the true past of France, Graham Robb realized it was necessary not only to go back in time, but also to go at a slower pace than modern life generally allows.An award-winning modern classic, The Discovery of France is a literary exploration of a remarkable nation. From maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it reveals a France few will recognize. And all from the perspective of two wheels.Winner of the Duff Cooper and the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje prizes, The Discovery of France is now included in the Picador Collection, a series celebrating fifty years of Picador books and showcasing the very best of modern literature.

"Prantsusmaa. Seikluste ajalugu" on isikupärane ja haarav jutustus, millest õhkub autori elu jooksul kogutud tarkust ja kirge. Siin ühinevad romaanikirjaniku stiil ja õpetlase sügavad teadmised. Kohati naljakasse, pidevalt üllatavasse jutustusse pole kuhjatud fakte ja aastaarve, selle asemel loob autor Prantsusmaast hämmastava sümfoonilise panoraami Gallia ja Rooma aegadest kuni liikumiste #MeToo ja Black Lives Matter ning kollavestide ja Covid-19 aastateni.Kirjaniku Prantsusmaal elamise, töötamise ja reisimise aegsed seiklused ning avastused seovad müstilise rännaku ajas ja ruumis maalähedaste kogemustega. Sõja- ja revolutsioonistseenid Provence'i tasandikest Pariisi slummide ja bulvariteni ning mõned tegelased - Caesar, Karl Suur, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte, kindral de Gaulle - võivad olla tuttavad, kuid kõiki näidatakse siin veidi teises valguses. Paljud teised sündmused, kohad ja inimesed ei ole Prantsusmaad käsitlevates ajalootekstides kunagi varem esinenud - aurumasin gooti katedraalis, hiiglaslik puu Prantsusmaa keskpunktis, salapärased katsed kippuda autori elu kallale ...Ligi pool sajandit uurimistööd ja kondiauruga liikuval kaherattalisel ajamasinal - jalgrattal - läbitud viiskümmend tuhat kilomeetrit - nii on valminud see raamat, mida lugedes võivad paadunumadki frankofiilid ehk imestada, kas nad ikka üldse tunnevad seda terra incognita't Euraasia läänepoolses servas, mis praegu kannab nime Prantsusmaa.Graham Robb on sündinud 1958. aastal Manchesteris, õppinud ja ka töötanud Oxfordis Exeteri kolledzhis. Ta on kirjutanud Prantsusmaa ajaloost ja kirjandusest. Eesti keelde on seni tõlgitud tema Whitbreadi auhinna võitnud biograafia "Victor Hugo" (Varrak, 2000), nii Duff Cooperi kui ka Kuningliku Kirjandusühingu Ondaatje auhinnaga pärjatud "Prantsusmaa avastamine" (Varrak, 2010) ja "Pariislased" (Varrak, 2012), mille eest autasustas Pariisi linn teda linna aumedaliga. Graham Robb elab Inglismaa ja Shotimaa piirialal.

Beginning with the Roman army's first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending in the era of Emmanuel Macron, France takes readers on an endlessly entertaining journey through French history. Frequently hilarious, always surprising, Graham Robb's France combines the stylistic versatility of a novelist with the deep understanding of a scholar.Robb's own adventures and discoveries while living, working, and traveling in France connect this tour through space and time with on-the-ground experience. There are scenes of wars and revolutions from the plains of Provence to the slums and boulevards of Paris. Robb conveys with wit and precision what it felt like to look over the shoulder of a young Louis XIV as he planned the vast garden of Versailles, and the dangerous thrill of having a ringside seat at the French revolution. Some of the protagonists may be familiar, but appear here in a very different light--Caesar, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte, General Charles de Gaulle.This extraordinary narrative is the fruit of decades of research and thirty thousand miles on a self-propelled, two-wheeled time machine (a bicycle). Even seasoned Francophiles will wonder if they really know that terra incognita on the edge of Europe that is currently referred to as "France."

A Spectator and Prospect Book of the YearWinner of the American Library in Paris Book Award'An amused, erudite homage to France . . . ambitious and original' - The Times'Ceaselessly interesting, knowledgeable and evocative' - Spectator'A fresh way to write history' - Alan Johnson_____Original, knowledgeable and endlessly entertaining, France: An Adventure History is an unforgettable journey through France from the first century BC to the present day.Drawn from countless new discoveries and thirty years of exploring France on foot, in the library and across 30,000 miles on the author’s beloved bike. It begins with Gaulish and Roman times and ends in the age of #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, the Gilets Jaunes and Covid-19.From the plains of Provence to the slums and boulevards of Paris, events and themes of French history may be familiar – Louis XIV, the French Revolution, the French Resistance, the Tour de France – but all are presented in a shining new light by Graham Robb.Frequently hilarious, always surprising, this is a a vivid, living history of one of the world’s most fascinating nations. It will make even seasoned Francophiles wonder if they really know that terra incognita which is currently referred to as ‘France’._____‘Packed full of discoveries’ - The Sunday Times'A gorgeous tapestry of insights, stories and surprises' - Fintan O'Toole'A rich and vibrant narrative . . . clear-eyed but imaginative storytelling' - Financial Times'Full of life' - Prospect

Beginning with the Roman army's first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending in the era of Emmanuel Macron, France takes readers on an endlessly entertaining journey through French history. Frequently hilarious, always surprising, Graham Robb's France combines the stylistic versatility of a novelist with the deep understanding of a scholar.Robb's own adventures and discoveries while living, working, and traveling in France connect this tour through space and time with on-the-ground experience. There are scenes of wars and revolutions from the plains of Provence to the slums and boulevards of Paris. Robb conveys with wit and precision what it felt like to look over the shoulder of a young Louis XIV as he planned the vast garden of Versailles, and the dangerous thrill of having a ringside seat at the French revolution. Some of the protagonists may be familiar, but appear here in a very different light--Caesar, Charlemagne, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte, General Charles de Gaulle.This extraordinary narrative is the fruit of decades of research and thirty thousand miles on a self-propelled, two-wheeled time machine (a bicycle). Even seasoned Francophiles will wonder if they really know that terra incognita on the edge of Europe that is currently referred to as "France."

An authoritative history of the French nation that can be read for novelistic pleasure, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Discovery of France and Parisians.

A SPECTATOR and PROSPECT Book of the Year'Ceaselessly interesting, knowledgeable and evocative' Spectator'A fresh way to write history' Alan Johnson'A quirky, amused, erudite homage to France . . . ambitious and original' The Times_____France: An Adventure History is a profoundly original and endlessly entertaining history of France, from the first century BC to the present day, based on countless new discoveries and thirty years of exploring France on foot, by bicycle and in the library.Beginning with the Roman army’s first recorded encounter with the Gauls and ending with the Gilets Jaunes protests in the era of Emmanuel Macron, each chapter is an adventure in its own right. Along the way, readers will find the usual faces, events and themes of French history – Louis XIV, the French Revolution, the French Résistance, the Tour de France – but all presented in a shining new light.Graham Robb does not offer a standard dry list of facts and dates, but instead a panorama of France, teeming with characters, full of stories, journeys and coincidences, giving readers a thrilling sense of discovery and enlightenment. France: An Adventure History is a vivid, living history of one of the world’s most fascinating nations by a ceaselessly entertaining writer in complete command of subject and style._____'A rich and vibrant narrative . . . clear-eyed but imaginative storytelling' Financial Times'Full of life' Prospect

An oft-overlooked region lies at the heart of British national history: the Debatable Land. The oldest detectable territorial division in Great Britain, the Debatable Land once served as a buffer between England and Scotland. It was once the bloodiest region in the country, fought over by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and James V. After most of its population was slaughtered or deported, it became the last part of Great Britain to be brought under the control of the state. Today, its boundaries have vanished from the map and are matters of myth and generational memories. In The Debatable Land, historian Graham Robb recovers the history of this ancient borderland in an exquisite tale that spans Roman, Medieval, and present-day Britain. Rich in detail and epic in scope, The Debatable Land provides a crucial, missing piece in the puzzle of British history.

‘A book worth reading’ Andrew Marr, Sunday TimesThe Debatable Land was an independent territory which used to exist between Scotland and England. At the height of its notoriety, it was the bloodiest region in Great Britain, fought over by Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and James V. After the Union of the Crowns, most of its population was slaughtered or deported and it became the last part of the country to be brought under the control of the state. Today, its history has been forgotten or ignored.When Graham Robb moved to a lonely house on the very edge of England, he discovered that the river which almost surrounded his new home had once marked the Debatable Land’s southern boundary. Under the powerful spell of curiosity, Robb began a journey – on foot, by bicycle and into the past – that would uncover lost towns and roads, reveal the truth about this maligned patch of land and result in more than one discovery of major historical significance.Rich in detail and epic in scope, The Debatable Land takes us from a time when neither England nor Scotland could be imagined to the present day, when contemporary nationalism and political turmoil threaten to unsettle the cross-border community once more. Writing with his customary charm, wit and literary grace, Graham Robb proves the Debatable Land to be a crucial, missing piece in the puzzle of British history.Includes a 16-page colour plate section.

With an introduction by Colm Tóibín.Ten years ago, I began to explore the country on which I was supposed to be an authority . . .France is a country famous for its intellectuals, its philosophers and writers, its fashion, food and wine. And yet the notion of 'the French' as one nation is relatively recent and – historically speaking - quite misleading. In order to discover the 'real' past of France, Graham Robb realized it was not only necessary to go back in time, but also to go at a slower pace than modern life generally allows. The Discovery of France, illuminating, engrossing and full of surprises, is the result of Robb's 14,000 mile journey across France on a bicycle. Winner of both the Duff Cooper and the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje prizes, The Discovery of France is a modern non-fiction classic, a literary exploration of a remarkable nation. From maps and migration to magic, language and landscape, it reveals a France few will recognize. 'An extraordinary journey of discovery' Daily Telegraph'Robb's concise and fast-paced writing pedals along with never a dull paragraph . . . dazzling' Sunday Times

Fifty generations ago the cultural empire of the Celts stretched from the Black Sea to Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. In six hundred years, the Celts had produced some of the finest artistic and scientific masterpieces of the ancient world. In 58 BC, Julius Caesar marched over the Alps, bringing slavery and genocide to western Europe. Within eight years the Celts of what is now France were utterly annihilated, and in another hundred years the Romans had overrun Britain. It is astonishing how little remains of this great civilization. While planning a bicycling trip along the Heraklean Way, the ancient route from Portugal to the Alps, Graham Robb discovered a door to that forgotten world a beautiful and precise pattern of towns and holy places based on astronomical and geometrical measurements: this was the three-dimensional Middle Earth of the Celts. As coordinates and coincidences revealed themselves across the continent, a map of the Celtic world emerged as a miraculously preserved archival document. Robb one of the more unusual and appealing historians currently striding the planet (New York Times) here reveals the ancient secrets of the Celts, demonstrates the lasting influence of Druid science, and recharts the exploration of the world and the spread of Christianity. A pioneering history grounded in a real-life historical treasure hunt, The Discovery of Middle Earth offers nothing less than an entirely new understanding of the birth of modern Europe."

Uncover the forgotten map that reveals a sophisticated ancient civilization in Graham Robb's groundbreaking The Ancient Paths.Inspired by a serendipitous discovery, Robb embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of the Celts, exploring their gods, art, and most remarkably, their advanced understanding of science. His meticulous research gradually unveiled an extraordinary find: a lost map of an empire built with stunning precision and artistry across vast swathes of Europe. Forgotten for nearly two millennia, the map's implications are nothing short of astonishing.With meticulous research and a wealth of revelations, The Ancient Paths breathes life into our distant history and reinterprets pre-Roman Europe. Told with Robb's signature elegance and passion, this dazzling and unforgettable book will forever change your perception of European civilization.

'A fantastic book to support developing restorative work in schools.... quality advice and guidance for developing RP which can be applied to settings outside of the school environment too such as youth groups and social settings.' Reader Review ?????'Great overview of the change process as well as Implementing Restorative Practices in Schools' Reader Review ?????Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools explains what has to happen in a school in order for it to become truly restorative, and why it matters! Section 1 explains the potential of restorative practice in schools, describing the positive outcomes for students and teachers. It also outlines the measures that need to be in place in order to embed restorative practice. Section 2 examines the process of understanding and managing change, providing realistic and pragmatic guidance on the practical and emotional barriers that may be encountered. Finally, Section 3 provides in eight practical steps, strategic guidance for achieving a restorative culture that sticks.Featuring useful pro formas and templates, this book will be an indispensable guide for educators, administrators and school leaders in mainstream and specialist settings.

No one knows a city like the people who live there – so who better to relate the history of Paris than its inhabitants through the ages? Taking us from 1750 to the new millennium, Graham Robb's Parisians is at once a book to read from cover to cover, to lose yourself in, to dip in and out of at leisure, and a book to return to again and again – rather like the city itself, in fact.For this collection of true stories the City of Paris awarded Graham the Medal of the City of Paris. 'Quirky, amused and très British' Julian Barnes, author of The Sense of an Ending.