A Brief History of the Coast in...
Sally Coulthard
An immersive history of our coasts and the people who have shaped them
The coast means something different to everyone.
It’s a place of pleasure and reckless pursuits, of fishing, fearless endeavours and a crashing, rugged beauty. The coast is, and always has been, our first line of defence and our springboard to other cultures.
Through the lens of 100 carefully selected objects, this treasure chest of a book delves into the myriad ways our coastlines have shaped, and been shaped by, our history, culture, and identity. From Roman lighthouses to rosary beads, knitted jumpers to Viking slave shackles, each object serves as a portal to a unique story.
Sally Coulthard’s engaging narrative goes far beyond the traditional seaside holiday to illuminate the coast’s role as a first line of defence, a site of trade, and a catalyst for cultural exchange. Readers will discover how the coast has influenced our beliefs, economy, and even our domestic lives. And, looking out to sea, this book will show how Britain’s story is anchored to those of our European neighbours and of faraway lands.
From one of Britain’s finest historians of material culture, this book vividly captures the enduring magic and significance of our shores. Whether it’s smugglers’ underpants or sailor’s hoaxes, whale vomit or pickled puffin – it all washes up on the British coast…
At once social and coastal, the book drifts along Britain’s shorelines and across oceans, letting seashells and other objects conjure the character of different regions and habitats. With nature and ecosystems threaded through every tale, it’s the latest non-fiction for readers who want the best of history, beautifully washed clean by salt and time.
For fans of Jane Cooper (The Lost Flock), James Rebanks (The Shepherd's View), Clara Parkes (Vanishing Fleece), Robert Macfarlane (Desert Solitaire), and Lee Alan Dugatkin (Mr. Jefferson and the Giant Moose).
HarperCollins 2026
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