In SARUM, Edward Rutherfurd creates a masterpiece of breathtaking scope -- a brilliantly conceived and superbly written epic novel that traces the entire turbulent course of English history. From primitive beginnings almost 10,000 years ago to the medieval world of knights and ladies, from the bloody civil war to colonial preeminence in the nineteenth century, right up until the present day, this is a magnificent story that until now has never been told.This rich tapestry weaves a compelling saga of five families -- the Wilsons, the Masons, the family of Porteus, the Shockleys, and the Godfreys -- who preserve their own particular characteristics over successive generations and reflect the changing character of Britain. As their fates and fortunes intertwine over the course of the centuries, their greater destinies offer a fascinating glimpse into the future.A rich and absorbing historical chronicle, SARUM is a keen tale of struggle and adventure, a profound human drama, and a masterful work of sheer storytelling.