Overview

'Why can't museums be more like films?' thought 11-year-old John Sunderland. He was a truant in a West Yorkshire grammar school, a maths failure, a great respecter of art and history and loved films. He went on to create the iconic British TV cartoon character Dusty Bin and made films with the zany comedian Kenny Everett. He turned out to be the perfect person to solve the quandary of the British archeologists who wanted to bring the 10th century finds of Viking York to life for the public. Told with unremitting Yorkshire wit, you'll romp chortling through this uproarious, incredible behind-the-scenes account of how John landed the position of Project Designer of the original Jorvik Viking Centre and changed the way Britain's cultural heritage would be presented from then on.

Full Product Details

9798985440003

Table of Contents

Reviews

'On My Way to Jorvik is the story of what happened behind the scenes when Jorvik first opened its doors to the public all those years ago. It was the way thousands of people discovered the world of archaeology and many of them, I'm glad to say, are still there. The huge appeal of Jorvik was personal: the displays spoke with individual Viking voices and they were so warm and human - just like this wonderful personal account by the man who designed it. I couldn't put it down.' Professor Francis Pryor, MBE, FSA Archaeologist, Prehistorian, Author and Time Team Presenter 'The opening of the Jorvik Viking Centre was a watershed moment in the history not only of archaeological heritage management but also of archaeology itself. The buzz among the global community of archaeologists was immediate. We were overjoyed that someone had managed to convey the excitement of our daily work to the rest of the world. I could not wait to see it myself, and I was not disappointed. The Centre was a tangible expression of the images that form in the minds of the archaeologists as they work hours, weeks, and months at excavations and in laboratories.' Douglas C. Comer, Ph.D., RPA Co-President, ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM) 'John Sunderland has written a witty, honest account of his journey from Wakefield to international designer. John's distinctive voice tells a hugely entertaining and informative story. At the heart of the book is his key role in designing and developing the Jorvik Viking Centre, an entirely new way of immersing people in the past. He gives a personal and hugely fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the origins design and construction of this world-famous archaeological attraction in York. ' John Oxley, MBE FSA, former City of York Archaeologist 'On My Way to Jorvik takes the reader on an amazing, and amusing, journey back in time. It's a thoroughly readable and enjoyable insight into the birth pangs of a ground-breaking museum project, which was ultimately so hugely successful that it has been widely recognised as heralding the start of the heritage industry in the UK. I know that I am not alone in admitting that the Jorvik Viking Centre dramatically changed my life, and the lives of many of my industry colleagues, all because of the vision and creative genius of the author. It is a revealing story of the ride of his life, including the bumpy bits.' Colin C. Pyrah OBE Special Projects Director Paragon Creative Limited

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available