The Tribes of Britain: Who are we and where do we come from

With an impressive pedigree behind him, David Miles embarks on a journey to piece together the 'complex genetic jigsaw' that makes up modern Britain. Beginning with the myths and legends of the origins of the ancient Britons, and the manipulation of the past, he examines evidence for the earliest prehistoric inhabitants of the island. What the story of `The Tribes of Britain' reveals is that the rich cultural mix of today's society is not a new thing as Miles assesses the impact of `newcomers' such as the Romans, Vikings and Normans on the indigenous society of Britain. Drawing on the potential of genetic data, demographic studies and so forth for reconstructing our past, he also includes much personal detail and anecdote from a rich archaeological career. Unlike many other books on the origins of British people and society, this study goes beyond the prehistoric and Roman period, beyond the medieval period, right up to present-day controversies over immigration. What David Miles reveals is the dynamic history of a nation characterised by its diversity, that has witnessed periods of continuity and change, `a country refreshed and stimulated by new arrivals'.