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Andrew Sinclair: King Ludd

This book is the third in the trilogy and was preceded by Gog and Magog. King Lud is the legendary founder of London but we start this book with the Luddites, who took their name from Ned Ludd, sometimes known as King Ludd. Gog is writing a thesis at Cambridge in the 1930s on the Luddites (and in favour of them). He is also interested in runes. While at Cambridge he naturally associates with communists, some of whom will become spies for Moscow. Gog decides to study the ley lines running across England and naturally starts at the Gogmagog Hills near Cambridge. Much of the book concerns his wanderings and is reminiscent of Gog, as once again he meets historical and legendary characters, such as Robin Hood and Chaucer’s The Pardoner, and of course has problems with his half-brother, Magog, and his wife, Maire. He later takes his theories on the runes to Bletchley Park to help with the World War II code cracking. Celtic Gods, the Druids, the Luddites and the Enigma Code are all part of Sinclair’s fun and games but, like the first book in the trilogy, it is great fun, though a knowledge of British history and myth might help.

Publishing history

First published 1988 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson