Zakia Sewell's book explores the ancient myths, folklore and traditions that have shaped Britain's identity, tracing them back to the legendary name 'Albion'. According to medieval lore, Albion was named after Albina, a Syrian or Greek princess exiled with her sisters to an uninhabited island, where their descendants became giants later defeated by the Trojan hero Brutus. These origin stories, popularised in the twelfth century, helped lay the mythical foundations of Britain.

Sewell journeys across modern Britain to uncover how such legends continue to echo in contemporary customs, from solstice celebrations to Morris dancing and rural gatherings. She portrays a living tapestry of community, ritual and seasonal festivity that connects present-day participants with a distant and often fantastical past.

Yet the book also confronts darker chapters of history. Myths of Albion have been appropriated by far-right nationalists որպես symbols of racial purity, while Britain’s imperial past, the slave trade and medieval anti-Jewish violence complicate any nostalgic vision of national heritage. At the same time, discoveries such as the Ivory Bangle Lady in York reveal a long history of ethnic diversity that challenges exclusionary narratives.

Ultimately, Sewell suggests that reconnecting with shared traditions, while acknowledging historical truths, may offer a more inclusive and life-affirming sense of belonging in modern Britain.