Covering the entire ancient county created in the 11th century, this book includes that southern part incorporated in the short-lived county of Avon between 1974 and 1996. Since the first edition, in 1972, the book has remained in popular demand as the only comprehensive introductory account of the closely-linked history of the shire and the city of Bristol. Its authority and readability, its profusion of carefully selected illustrations, attractive maps and marginal drawings have earned for the book an unrivalled reputation among both local people and visitors.

This third edition has been entirely revised to take account of very recent discoveries and new interpretations of the prehistoric and Roman periods, much fresh material on the history of Gloucester and a new assessment of the 20th century. A greatly increased number of photographs has been woven into the text, thus integrating the written account and the visual evidence.