Neil Oliver

Accompanying the BBC TV series of the same name, Neil Olivers popular account of Britains prehistoric and Roman past strikes a personal note, interweaving Olivers own voyage of discovery with a chronological survey. Featuring snippets of interviews with the archaeologists involved, the book describes visits to Britains most important prehistoric sites, and the results of the latest research, building up a picture of the daily lives of Britains inhabitants over a vast period.

A History of Ancient Britain

The dramatic story of Scotland - by charismatic television historian, Neil Oliver. Scotland is one of the oldest countries in the world with a vivid and diverse past. Yet the stories and figures that dominate Scottish history - tales of failure, submission, thwarted ambition and tragedy - often badly serve this great nation, overshadowing the rich tapestry of her intricate past. Historian Neil Oliver presents a compelling new portrait of Scottish history, peppered with action, high drama and centuries of turbulence that have helped to shape modern Scotland. Along the way, he takes in iconic landmarks and historic architecture; debunks myths surrounding Scotland's famous sons; recalls forgotten battles; charts the growth of patriotism; and explores recent political developments, capturing Scotland's sense of identity and celebrating her place in the wider world.

A History Of Scotland

The Vikings famously took no prisoners, relished cruel retribution, and prided themselves on their bloody thirsty skills as warriors. But their prowess in battle is only a small part of their story, which stretches from their Scandinavian origins to America in the west and as far as Baghdad in the east. As the Vikings did not write their history, we have to discover it for ourselves, and that discovery, as Neil Oliver reveals, tells an extraordinary story of a people who, from the brink of destruction, reached a quarter of the way around the globe and built an empire that lasted nearly two hundred years. Drawing on the latest discoveries that have only recently come to light, Neil Oliver goes on the trail of the real Vikings. Where did they emerge from? How did they really live? And just what drove them to embark on such extraordinary voyages of discovery over 1000 years ago? Vikings will explore many of these questions for the first time in an epic story of one of the world's great empires of conquest.

Vikings

"Everyone should have two copies - one for the car and one for the house to plan journeys. . . a reminder to think more about the places you pass and less about your route, because every British journey is through rich history." (Edward Stourton) From much-loved historian Neil Oliver, comes this beautifully written, kaleidoscopic history of a place with a story like no other. The British Isles, this archipelago of islands, is to Neil Oliver the best place in the world. From north to south, east to west it cradles astonishing beauty. The human story here is a million years old, and counting. But the tolerant, easygoing peace we enjoy has been hard won. We have made and known the best and worst of times. We have been hero and villain and all else in between, and we have learned some lessons. The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places is Neil’s very personal account of what makes these islands so special, told through the places that have witnessed the unfolding of our history. Beginning with footprints made in the sand by humankind’s earliest ancestors, he takes us via Romans and Vikings, the flowering of religion, through civil war, industrial revolution and two world wars. From windswept headlands to battlefields, ancient trees to magnificent cathedrals, each of his destinations is a place where, somehow, the spirit of the past seems to linger.

The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places

From the bestselling author of The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places comes this inspiring and beautifully written meditation on the wisdom inherited from our ancestors. For all we have gained in the modern world, simple peace of mind is hard to find. In a time that is increasingly fraught with complexity and conflict, we are told that our wellbeing relies on remaining as present as possible. But what if the key to being present lies in the past? In Wisdom of the Ancients, Neil Oliver takes us back in time, to grab hold of the ideas buried in forgotten cultures and early civilizations. From Laetoli footprints in Tanzania to Keralan rituals, stone circles and cave paintings, Oliver takes us on a global journey through antiquity. A master storyteller, drawing on immense knowledge of our ancient past, he distils this wisdom into twelve messages that have endured the test of time, and invites us to consider how these might apply to our lives today. The result is powerful and inspirational, moving and profound.

Life lessons from our distant past

Wisdom of the Ancients

The Ambitious New Book by the Bestselling Author of the Story of the British Isles

The Story of the World in 100 Moments

History of Ancient Britain

The Vikings famously took no prisoners, relished cruel retribution, and prided themselves on their blood-thirsty skills as warriors. But their prowess in battle is only a small part of their story, which stretches from their Scandinavian origins to America in the west and as far as Baghdad in the east. As the Vikings did not write their history, we have to discover it for ourselves, and that discovery, as Neil Oliver reveals, tells an extraordinary story of a people who, from the brink of destruction, reached a quarter of the way around the globe and built an empire that lasted nearly 200 years. Drawing on the latest discoveries that have only recently come to light, Neil Oliver goes on the trail of the real Vikings. Where did they emerge from? How did they really live? And just what drove them to embark on such extraordinary voyages of discovery over 1000 years ago? VIKINGS will explore many of these questions for the first time in an epic story of one of the world's great empires of conquest.

The Vikings famously took no prisoners, relished cruel retribution, and prided themselves on their bloodthirsty skills as warriors. But their prowess in battle is only a small part of their story, which stretches from their Scandinavian origins to America in the West and as far as Baghdad in the East. As the Vikings did not write their own history, we have to discover it for ourselves; and that discovery, as Neil Oliver reveals, tells an extraordinary story of a people who, from the brink of destruction, reached a quarter of the way around the globe and built an empire that lasted nearly two hundred years. Drawing on the latest discoveries that have only recently come to light, Scottish archaeologist Neil Oliver goes on the trail of the real Vikings. Where did they emerge from? How did they really live? And just what drove them to embark on such extraordinary voyages of discovery over 1,000 years ago? The Vikings: A New History explores many of those questions for the first time in an epic story of one of the world's great empires of conquest.

The Vikings

Written and read by Neil Oliver In 15th century Constantinople, young Prince Constantine, heir to the Byzantine throne, is left permanently crippled when he saves the beautiful Princess Yaminah from falling to her death in the Hagia Sofia. Meanwhile in Scotland, John Grant, a young man with unusual abilities, is rescued from certain death by a formidable Moorish warrior whose own life was once saved by John's father. Unbeknown to them, John Grant and Prince Constantine share a unique connection - a connection that lies at the very centre of their beings. When fate orchestrates that their paths should cross, the repercussions will be felt across the continents.

Master of Shadows

'A joy from start to finish' Sunday Telegraph Captain Robert Falcon Scott didn't start out life as a hero. In fact, as a boy and young man he was considered small, frail and shy. So what was it that turned this ordinary man into a legend? Through his gripping new account of how this modest naval officer became Scott of the Antarctic, Neil Oliver vividly relates the awe-inspiring tales that inspired Britain's greatest hero. And alongside these epics of courage, fortitude and sacrifice, Oliver tells the astonishing stories of those heroes who followed Scott and whose deeds stood comparison with this iconic explorer's own humbling example. From Rorke's Drift to the Battle of Britain and Nelson to Neil Armstrong, these are men who understood - as Scott always did - that it was more important to die a hero than live a coward's life. 'A great book . . . I shall treasure it' Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'An unashamed celebration of old-fashioned heroism' Scotsman 'A must-have collection' The Times 'Stirring stuff' Daily Telegraph

Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys

Western Australia. Parliament. Legislative Council

A Speech by the Hon. Neil Oliver ... During the Address-in-Reply Debate in the Legislative Council on the 2nd August, 1977

"The Spirit of the West"

Rachel Oliver

If you are dreaming of owning your own home but the banks say "no," this guide can show you how to get the house you want. No theory. No fluff. No lies. Just a steady stream of real stories about real people, real numbers and step-by-step instructions you can put into action immediately. Imagine how much easier things will be for you when you know exactly what you need to do. This guide describes in detail what to look for, how to protect your interests, what questions to ask and the little-known, yet critical steps you need to take on the homebuyer side of a rent to own transaction. While the idea of "renting to own" a house has been around for decades, this is the first official guide written specifically for homebuyers considering rent to own as a path to homeownership. This guide is ideal for anyone who wants to buy a home after a divorce, bankruptcy or a recent immigration. As a how-to book, it examines key principles and reveals lessons from real-world successes that people across Canada, USA, Australia and UK can easily apply to move into their dream home, build equity, and improve their credit. Anyone can easily put this information to work and become a homeowner sooner than they thought possible. This easy-read is authored by two trusted experts on rent to own who are on a mission to educate homebuyers and improve their experience and outcomes with rent to own. Neil Oliver and Rachel Oliver have counseled over 500 families on how to succeed with rent to own. They spell out in great detail why many people succeed with rent to own and why others fail. This is the first official guide designed to enlighten and empower people determined to own even when the banks say "no way." An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to own a home but can't qualify for a traditional mortgage today.

The Key to a Fresh Start and Richer Future

Rent to Own Essential Guide for Homebuyers

Tony Pollard

Two Men in a Trench 2 provides an examination of six major battles: Bannockburn, Sedgemoor, Edgehill, Killiecrankie, RAF Hornchurch (The Battle of Britain 1940) and the Big Guns of World War II at Dover and Calais. Each chapter of the book presents a clear understanding of the events and causes of each battle, before its aftermath is considered. The personalities, armies, weapons and tactics involved are described; the archaeological techniques explained; and the groundbreaking results and their impact on our understanding of events discussed. sense of humour, Tony Pollard and Neil Oliver capture the drama, action and tragedy of past events and provide an insight into some of the bloodiest episodes of British history.

Uncovering the Secrets of British Battlefields

Two Men in a Trench II

Neil Oliver returns to historical fiction with an adventure spanning England and Turkey, the Tudors and the Byzantines, with plenty of scrapes to be had along the way.

The Black Glass

Viewed from the air, the countryside becomes a pattern; the coast becomes an edge. Focusing on a specific coastal region of the British Isles, this work contains over 200 aerial photographs that portray the beauty and diversity of our coastline. It includes areas ranging from the Dingle to The Wash, and the seaside towns of England's south coast.

From the Air

Coast

In this volume, Tony Pollard and Neil Oliver visit the sites of six major British battles, from Shrewsbury to Culloden, and carry out a full archaeological investigation at each. As they uncover artefacts abandoned in the heat and chaos of battle they closely follow the progress of each engagement and answer key historical questions, sometimes totally revising the accepted version of events. Each chapter is a fully framed investigation and follows an episode of the BBC television series. By using archaeology to unlock the secrets of the past, Tony and Neil prove that soldiers do not pass through fields of conflict like shadows, and in the process they show that battlefields are some of our most important national monuments.

Battlefield Archaeology - the Key to Unlocking the Past

Two Men in a Trench

Stories of heroism, exploration and sacrifice that will inspire boys to be courageous, honorable and open to adventure Tales of brave and selfless deeds used to be part of every boy's education. We grew up sharing stories with our fathers, uncles and grandfathers of how great men had lived their lives, met their challenges, reached their goals and faced their deaths. Becoming a man was about comradeship and standing by your friends whatever the circumstances. And it meant that sometimes it was more important to die a hero than live a coward's life. Amazing Tales for Making Men Out of Boys is packed with classic stories of courage and heroism from around the world, including: D-Day and Omaha Beach; the Charge of the Light Brigade; the Battle of Dien Bien Phu; the Siege of the Alamo; the Moonwalkers and Apollo 13; the Flight of the Nez Perces; Josiah Harlan and the Trouble with Afghanistan; the Demons of Camerone; the Battle of Isandlwana; the Yangtze Incident; the Battle of Trafalgar; Shackleton's Boat Journey; Scott of the Antarctic; Thermopylae; the Revolutionary War Naval Battle of John Paul Jones and the Bonhomme Richard.

There are 37,780 First World War memorials in Britain, listing names from all walks of life - estates, villages, places of work. They stand as landmarks to a defining period in British history - and yet one which is in danger of slipping away from popular memory. NOT FORGOTTEN is a revealing look at the untold stories that lie behind these lists of names - stories of the impact of World War One on British society, the echoes of which can still be felt today. More than a conflict overseas, it was the catalyst for an extraordinary period of rapid and radical change to the social, cultural and political fabric of the nation. Social restrictions on women were revolutionised, from jobs and the vote to new freedoms in dress, behaviour and sexuality. The class system was thrown into disarray, both at home and on the front lines; roles were reversed in family life for a large part of the population, through bereavement, evacuation and children put to work in munitions factories. And as the state took drastic measures to cope with this turmoil, so the foundations were laid for the society in which we live today.

Neil Oliver

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