A Tale of Two Towns: Calleva and Reading by John Mullaney

Calleva, today's Silchester, was the main town in the Middle-Thames area, even before the arrival of the Romans.

When and why did this town vanish, to be replaced with Reading?

Using archaeological reports and the earliest written records, the book examines what can be learnt about this part of the Thames and its peoples. It takes the reader on a journey through the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Roman Era, and the emergence of Reading as a Saxon Town.

For anyone interested in the history of Reading, this is a fascinating read. It answers some questions but also challenges many pre-conceptions about the town and it's origins.

Produced by local publishers Scallop Shell Press.