BOOK REVIEW

PORTLAND - AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

STUART MORRIS

THIS popular book, which was first printed more than 30 years ago, has been republished and brought up to date with two new chapters.

The island's most recent history, hosting the sailing events of the 2012 Olympics and the gigantic storm of February 2014 are well documented.

A new colour section has reinvigorated the book - laid out before the reader in a lavish 16 page section are snapshots of some of the isle's pivotal moments, including the Queen's visit in 2009, Portland Port's recent expansion for cruise ships and early illustrations of the extraction and moving of stone from cliffside quarries.

This is a comprehensive history that begins 7,000 years ago with the first traces of occupation on the island.

Morris's precise prose is easy to read and contains some quirky detail about how a certain furry creature which a recent superstition prevents mention of was mentioned in the 12th century.

The section in the early 20th century is stuffed with fascinating information on how traction engines took over in the Portland stone industry and how the council became gripped with 'demolition fever' and knocked down 80 houses at Chiswell.

If it happened on Portland, you can guarantee Morris knows about it. A session sat down with this beautiful book is like a chat with a friend who knows all the isle's secrets.

*Portland: An Illustrated History is published by The Dovecote Press. It is priced at £12.

JOANNA DAVIS