Why is the North East the most distinctive region of England? Where do the stereotypes about North Easterners come from, and why are they so often misunderstood? In this wideranging new history of the people of North East England, Dan Jackson explores the deep roots of Northumbrian culture--hard work and heavy drinking, sociability and sentimentality, militarism and masculinity--in centuries of border warfare and dangerous and demanding work in industry, at sea and underground. He explains how the landscape and architecture of the North East explains so much about the people who have lived there, and how a 'Northumbrian Enlightenment' emerged from this most literate part of England, leading to a catalogue of inventions that changed the world, from the locomotive to the lightbulb. Jackson's Northumbrian journey reaches right to the present day, as this remarkable region finds itself caught between an indifferent south and a newly assertive Scotland. Covering everything from the Venerable Bede and the prince-bishops of Durham to Viz and Geordie Shore, this vital new history makes sense of a part of England facing an uncertain future, but whose people remain as distinctive as ever.

Discover the best of Newcastle & Northumbria with this compact, practical, entertaining Pocket Rough Guide. This slim, trim treasure trove of trustworthy travel information is ideal for travellers on short trips, and covers all the key sights such as BALTIC, Hadrian's Wall and Chillingham Castle, restaurants, shops, cafes and bars, plus inspired ideas for day-trips, with honest independent recommendations from expert authors. The Pocket Rough Guide Newcastle & Northumbria covers: Grainger Town, Quayside and Gateshead, Ouseburn & Jesmond, Tyneside and the coast, The Northumberland Coast, The Northumberland interior, Durham and around and Further Afield Inside this travel guide you will find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Newcastle & Northumbria, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Tyneside to family activities in child-friendly places, like Grainger Town or or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like The Northumberland Coast. INCISIVE AREA-BY-AREA OVERVIEWS Covering Grainger Market, Ouseburn Valley, Steel Rig and more, the practical Places section provides all you need to know about must-see sights and the best places to eat, drink, sleep and shop. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES The routes suggested by Rough Guides' expert writers cover top attractions like Durham and Jesmond, and hidden gems like The Old George pub and Victoria Tunnel. DAY-TRIPS Venture further afield to Tees Valley or Darlington. This tells you why to go, how to get there, and what to see when you arrive. HONEST INDEPENDENT REVIEWS Written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our expert writers will help you make the most of your trip to Newcastle & Northumbria. COMPACT FORMAT Packed with pertinent practical information, this is a convenient companion when you're out and about exploring Hadrian's Wall. HANDY PULL-OUT MAP With every major sight and listing highlighted, the pull-out map makes on-the-ground navigation easy. ATTRACTIVE USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN Features fresh magazine-style layout, inspirational colour photography and colour-coded maps throughout. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Includes invaluable background information on how to get to Newcastle & Northumbria, getting around, health guidance, tourist information, festivals and events, plus an A-Z directory and a handy language section and glossary.

'Rutherford's Ladder' is the story of one of the largest universities in Britain and the academic institutions from which it was created.

'A triumph – a Game of Thrones in the Dark Ages' TOM HOLLAND. The magisterial biography of Oswald Whiteblade, exiled prince of Northumbria, who returned in blood and glory to reclaim his birthright. A charismatic leader, a warrior whose prowess in battle earned him the epithet Whiteblade, an exiled prince who returned to claim his birthright, the inspiration for Tolkein's Aragorn. Oswald of Northumbria was the first great English monarch, yet today this legendary figure is all but forgotten. In this panoramic portrait of Dark Age Britain, archaeologist and biographer Max Adams returns the king in the North to his rightful place in history.

This review of a medium-sized metropolitan area assesses the region's strengths and weaknesses and make a series of recommendations for improving its competitiveness.

The North East is probably England's most distinctive region. A place of strong character with a very special sense of its past, it is, as William Hutchinson remarked in 1778, 'truly historical ground'. This is a book about both the ancient Anglian kingdom of Northumbrian, which stretched from the Humber to the Scottish border, and the ways in which the idea of being a Northumbrian, or a northerner, or someone from the 'North East', persisted in the area long after the early English kingdom had fallen. It examines not only the history of the region, but also the successive waves of identity that that history has bestowed over a very long period of time. Successful nations write about themselves in these terms; so why not regions? Northumbria existed before 'England' began but is still with us in name, and in the way we think about ourselves. A series of sections, entitled Christian Kingdom, Borderland and Coalfield, New Northumbria, Cultural Region and Northumbrian Island, explore the region on the grand scale, from the very beginning, and bring a sharp sense of history to bear on the various threads that have influenced the making of modern regional identity. The book is a work of exceptional scholarship. Never before have so many acclaimed historians addressed together the issues which have affected this special region. Clearly written, and rich in ideas, chapters explore the physical origins of Northumbria and consider just how the pressing political and military claims of adjoining states shaped and tempered it. There are further chapters on art, music, mythology, dialect, history, economy, poetry, politics, religion, antiquarianism, literature and settlement. They show how Northumbrians have lived and died, and looked forward and back, and these accounts of the North East's past will surely help in the shaping of its future.