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All the Wide Border
- Wales, England and the Places Between
- Narrated by: Mike Parker
- Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
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All the Wide Border
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Summary
A funny, warm and timely meditation on identity and belonging, following the scenic route along the England–Wales border: Britain’s deepest faultline.
There is a line on the map: to one side Wales, small, rugged and stubborn; on the other England, crucible of the most expansionist culture the world has ever seen. It is a line that has been dug, debated, defined and defended for twenty centuries.
All the Wide Border is a personal journey through the places, amongst the people, and across the divides of the border between England and Wales. Taking in some of our loveliest landscapes, and our darkest secrets, this is a region of immeasurable wonder and interest. It is here that the deepest roots and thorniest paradoxes of Britishness lie. The border between the countries, even as a concept, is ragged, jagged and many-layered.
Garlanded author Mike Parker has adored and explored these places his entire life. Born in England but settled in Wales, he finds himself typical of many in being pulled in both directions. His journey is divided into three legs, corresponding with the watersheds of the three great border rivers: the Dee in the north, the Severn in the centre, the Wye in the south. Neither quite England nor Wales, the furzy borderland he uncovers — the March — is another country.
Picking apart the many notions and clichés of Englishness, Welshness and indeed Britishness, Mike Parker plays with the very idea of borders: our fascination with them, our need for them, and our response to their power. In his hands, the England–Wales frontier is revealed to be a border within us all, and it is fraying, fast.
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Critic reviews
"I loved this book. Mike Parker weaves together a great deal of wide reading, hard thinking and soulful tramping in his funny, thoughtful and evocative investigation of the Welsh–English border." (Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession and Peep Show)
"All the Wide Border is both a beautifully written journey through the history and landscape of the border country of Wales and England and a clear-eyed analysis of its physical and psychological dividing line – the best kind of travelogue." (Richard King, author of Brittle with Relics: A History of Wales, 1962–97)
"This enthralling journey beautifully celebrates our ancient frontier land and is a present-day reminder of its’ enduring duty." (Tudur Owen, BAFTA winning comedian and presenter)
What listeners say about All the Wide Border
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 26-04-24
A knowledgeable history of Wales
There is very much to enjoy here.
Pity it is spoiled by childish vulgar prurient language.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bubble
- 11-09-24
Amazing knowledge of the local areas
Makes you want to visit every location talked about- being based in Shrewsbury I will use his what three word references and look them up. fantastic book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HMR
- 24-04-23
Beautifully written and read
This book is a well researched and warm insight into this fascinating part of the world. I loved the blending of the contemporary with the historic. It's an added bonus that it is read by the author.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Ben Llewellyn
- 18-09-24
Politically motivated and condescending
Probably about half of the book isn't actually about travel. It is about the authors opinion on the state of both countries and massively in favour of the Welsh and independence. I am a border lad having lived both sides and speak fairly decent Welsh but I found it to be so anti-English. If you want to hear all about the conservatives and how much they messed up Brexit, the country, the economy etc then buy this book. if you want a travel book then don't!
I found it particularly irritating the way Mike speaks in silly mocking accents when imitating people from the past. People with far great achievements then simply writing a mediocre travel book.
Saved itself a star as I did learn one or two bits but seriously spend your time and money elsewhere.
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