Book excerpt: Many exciting discoveries of prehistoric rock art have been made recently in Cumbria. They are included in this complete account of the earliest human communication, some 4-5000 years ago on outcrop rock, earthfast boulders, burials and other ritual structures. They are in some of Britain's most beautiful places. Professor Richard Bradley writes: "This book captures beautifully Stan's feeling for the countryside and flair for this kind of research. It is the work of a born teacher, who wishes to share his knowledge and enjoyment with other people. What he says is important, and how he says it is important too. Like the carvings he has done so much to publicise, this book is accessible to everyone." It follows his complete survey of Northumberland rock art, which Christopher Chippindale, of Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology described as "a first-rate book . . . written from Stan Beckensall's great knowledge with an inviting charm, splendidly illustrated with his photographs and drawings, well produced in a manageable size."