ANGLESEY Past Landscapes of the Coast
"The dramatic and stunning Welsh coastal landscapes of the island of Anglesey are documented in this beautiful pictorial record of the history of Anglesey's coast, from prehistoric times to the present day. The fact that Anglesey is an island has been crucial to its history; its coast the scene of prehistoric fishing and oyster catching, Neolithic tombs and Bronze Age round barrows, Roman-influenced estates, Irish incursions, a Norman motte and, at Beaumaris, the last of the great Edwardian castles. The building of the two great bridges and the development of Holyhead into its main port in the nineteenth century is chronicled, with the growth of sustainable energy in the form of wind turbines in the twentieth. The photographs taken by Mick Sharp and Jean Williamson are supplemented by text from Frances Lynch who introduces each chapter and provides detailed captions describing and giving background information to the images." There are also aerial photographs by David Longley of the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust Ltd (GAT) and by Toby Driver of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) plus a map and illustrations.
Photographers Mick Sharp and Jean Williamson have been based in northwest Wales, and involved in the archaeology and history of Anglesey and Gwynedd, for over thirty years. They run a photo library specialising in subjects connected with Britain's ancient monuments and the history and spirit of the land. As well as their own books they have contributed to well over a thousand publications including many Cadw guides to historic monuments.
"Frances Lynch retired from lecturing in archaeology at Bangor University some years ago but has continued to live and work in the area. Her parents had a long association with Anglesey and she has researched the prehistory of the island since the 1960s when she began a series of important excavations. In 1970 she wrote Prehistoric Anglesey for the Anglesey Antiquarian Society and has since written several academic books as well as the popular Guide to Ancient and Historic Gwynedd for Cadw in 1994. This is her first excursion into the more recent past."
Windgather Press, an imprint of Oxbow Books www.oxbowbooks.com
Hardback: English ISBN 978-1-905119-29-5, Welsh ISBN 978-1-905119-30-1. Publication 23 June 2009. Designed by Val Lamb.
Publication of the book has been supported by the Sustainable Development Fund, a Welsh Assembly Government Initiative in the Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) www.anglesey.gov.uk/aonb
A Land of Gods and Giants, Mick Sharp, Introduction by Christopher Chippindale
Extended captions and over 120 colour photographs exploring the mystery and power of megalithic ceremonial monuments in Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain.
Published 1989 by Alan Sutton, ISBN 0-86299-664-3. Designed by Richard Bryant and Martin Latham.
Reprinted 1994 by Fraser Stewart, ISBN 1-85648-214-6.
Both editions out of print, but second-hand copies are available through AbeBooks or Amazon Marketplace etc. The rights have reverted to me and I am interested in producing a follow-up to what was a very popular and influential book.
Prehistoric Scotland, Ann MacSween and Mick Sharp
Tells the story of Scotland’s early years through text and black and white photographs of “over 100 outstanding sites” - their discovery, original purpose, present remains, folklore or legends - under the headings of Settlement, Defence, Tombs & Burial, Ritual Stones & Henges, each prefaced by an illustration of prehistoric life by Jean Williamson.
Published 1989 by B. T. Batsford Ltd, ISBN 0 7134 6173 X.
Out of print, but available second-hand and it continues to be borrowed from libraries. The rights have reverted to the authors who would be interested in producing a new edition to take account of some of the many exciting discoveries which have been made during the past 20 years.
Images of Prehistory, text & commentary by Peter Fowler, photographs Mick Sharp
“Stunning and atmospheric” black & white photographs with an “affectionate but trenchant commentary” looking at prehistoric monuments in Britain through the themes of Living, Working, Defending, Believing. Four landscapes - Orkney, Maen-y-Bardd, Avebury, West Penwith - are then examined in detail from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age. A well designed and printed, large format book blending art and academia - “a potent memorial to a vanished way of life.”
Published 1990 by Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521-35646-6. Designed by Paul Oldman. “.........a majestic book which is exceedingly rich in design and content.” The Independent on Sunday.
Still in print, available from CUP or Amazon etc. The look inside facility on Amazon rather misleadingly shows part of the Introduction and gives little indication of the quality, contents and layout of the rest of the book.
Holy Places of Celtic Britain, Mick Sharp
A selection of special places set apart for sacred use in Britain from the Late Bronze Age through to the 1990s demonstrating a ‘Celtic’ sensibility to natural locations, unseen forces and indications of the longed-for otherworld. Colour and black & white photographs, extended captions and introductions to chapters on The Pagan Celts, Romano-Celtic Britain, The Age of Saints, Continuity and Revival.
Published 1997 by Blandford Books, a Cassell Imprint, ISBN 0-7137-2642-3, ISBN 0-7137-2642-8, ISBN 0-7137-2792-0.
Out of print but available second-hand and, in 2008/9, the most popular of my books to be borrowed from libraries. The rights have reverted to me: Cassell was not interested in a re-issue and there are doubts about the survival of the printing ‘plates’. In spite of ‘difficulties’ this book has been well loved and deserves a reprint.
Sacred Stones, Mick Sharp and Jean Williamson
A book of thirty colour postcards, with introduction and captions, of megalithic monuments in Britain: burial chambers, stone circles, standing stones, rows and settings. “The photographs in this book of postcards deliver the essence of the quiet but overwhelming power of these sacred stones.”
Published 1999 (along with a Calendar) by Pomegranate Communications, Inc., ISBN 0-7649-1037-X. Designed by Barbara Derringer.
Now out of print, but proved very popular in several countries including the UK and USA. Designed to break down into postcards so I doubt there are many second-hand copies for sale. A very attractive book on which we enjoyed working.
The Way and the Light, Mick Sharp
A continuous text in eight chapters accompanied by photographs, colour and black & white, exploring many of the remarkable places and compelling stories connected with saints and pilgrims in Celtic and medieval Britain: A Land of Saints and Pilgrims; Old Gods and Wandering Souls; Virtues, Vices and Virgins; Solitary Spirits; Martyrs and Militants; Touching Heaven; Paths to God; A Pilgrim’s Way: Gazetteer. The varying consequences of faith, ambition, power and certainty displayed in the stories of saints and pilgrims, and the distinctive atmosphere, capricious weather and subtle beauty of our ancient holy places, can still teach us much about the darkness and light of what it is to be human.
Published 2000 by Aurum Press, ISBN 1-8541-722-4, ISBN 1-85410-751-8. Designed by Sandra Oakins.
Out of print but available second-hand and, in 2008/9, the second most popular of my books to be borrowed from libraries. Rights have reverted to me and I would very much like to have the book reprinted, especially as around 2000 copies were ‘lost’ in the USA and the book was remaindered in Britain without my knowledge. “.....this fascinating and beautifully photographed study......no credulous and sloppy New Age take on mysticism.....impressively researched....and soberly written....”(Nigel Richardson, Daily Telegraph), “.....this evocative and beautifully photographed book....” (The Tablet), cries out for a new publisher.
The Celtic Heart, written & compiled by Liz Babbs with music CD by Simeon Wood
Inspirational thoughts, photographs and music with a Celtic feel: “Reflections for life’s journey.” We enjoyed working on several projects with Lion Publishing.
Published 2003 by Lion Publishing ISBN 0-7459-4874-X, www.lion-publishing.co.uk
All photos by Mick Sharp or Jean Williamson, cover photo of Llyn Padarn © Jean Williamson.
Discovering a Welsh Landscape, Ian Brown, with photography by Mick Sharp & Jean Williamson
Exploring archaeology and history in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), straddling the border of Denbighshire and Flintshire. This beautiful but elusive area, accessible but remote, has a deep history and a very individual character - somewhat reserved but well worth getting to know.
Published 2004 by Windgather Press in the Landscapes of Britain series, ISBN 0-9545575-7-3.
In print, available from Oxbow Books.
Cymru Wales 2010 Cadw Calendar
Published 2009 by Cadw, Welsh Assembly Government www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
We have contributed photographs, taken on commission or from our library, for Cadw calendars every year since the first one was published in 1999 for 2000.
photo: Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey © Mick Sharp
cover: © Crown Copyright.