Our Island Stories

This is real, difficult, essential history delivered in the most eloquent and accessible way. Her case, that rural Britain has been shaped by imperialism, is unanswerable, and she makes her arguments beautifully. An important book.

Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland

A detailed and thoughtful exploration of historical connections that for too long have been obscured. A powerful book that brings the history of the Empire home – literally

David Olusoga

This is an essential and fascinating book because it brings to light, through conversations and nature walks, some of the buried connections between Britain’s landscape and historic buildings and its complicated hidden histories. Fowler does not judge or diminish, but enriches and deepens our understanding of this nation

Bernardine Evaristo

Hers is a remarkable piece of scholarship, for she has delved into areas which have not been previously explored by historians

Amit Roy, Eastern Eye

Our Island Stories engagingly mingles chatty or lyrical travelogue with digests of scholarly research. It aims for — and deserves to reach — a wide and open-minded readership

Boyd Tonkin, Financial Times