Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd

Sarum is an epic story that tells the history of the Salisbury region in particular and England in general from the end of the Ice Age through the current period. It traces the story of several interconnected local families over the centuries as their fortunes rise and fall with the vagaries of time. It is also an excellent overview of the major historical events and eras of England.

One sentence synopsis... Following the interwoven fates of several families in the English city of Salisbury, from prehistoric times to the 1980's.

Read it if you like... British history, detailed chapters on the history of agricultural innovation and money lending. Not the most exciting of Rutherfurd's books. This one definitely leans more on the step-by-step history of how the people of the region changed the landscape v. the entertainment of the fictional storylines.

Further reading... only two more Rutherfurd books left - Ireland and Hampshire - until I can rank them all.

Still one of my favourite books ever! Fantastic on a re-read/listen! I do get less interested as we get nearer the present day but thats just my love of history up to the Tudor period! The scope is just mind blowing, to follow an area for thousands of years through history is brilliant! Love how the generations of characters flow and feuds come and go and linger!

Truly a masterpiece! Would recommend to everyone

And yes I am biased because its my home town!