{{Short description|British author}} {{About|the British author|the American screenwriter|Max D. Adams}} '''Max Adams''' is a British author, archaeologist,<ref>{{Cite web|title=How One Anglo-Saxon Boy Changed the Course of English History|url=https://digventures.com/2016/06/how-one-anglo-saxon-boy-changed-the-course-of-english-history/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=DigVentures}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams' Talk|url=https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/things-to-do/events/talk-lecture/max-adams-talk|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Visit Northumberland|language=en}}</ref> television presenter, and woodsman.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams|url=https://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowships/max-adams/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Royal Literary Fund|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7263798.Max_Adams|access-date=2021-05-11|website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref> His books cover a wide range of subjects from British history,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams Talk 14 July 2021|url=https://bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk/product/max-adams-talk/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Bailiffgate Museum Alnwick|language=en-GB}}</ref> to Arboriculture, and even his own novel. He currently manages his own young woodland in the north of England and has set up a not-for-profit partnership called "Woods for the Trees", which aims to bring together: people who would like to help cultivate healthy woodlands, with unused land that needs people's input and time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Woods for the Trees|url=https://woodsforthetrees.org/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Woods for the Trees|language=en-US}}</ref> Adams also co-founded, and helps to organise, an archaeological adult-education program called "The Bernician Studies Group" who, among other pursuits, have performed an archaeological survey of monastic sites in Donegal<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bernician Studies Group|url=http://www.bernicianstudies.eu/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Life and career ==
=== Early life === Max was born in 1961 in London, to Warwick and Thelma Adams. As a boy, he lived and went to school in Twickenham. Max then moved north to study Archaeology at the University of York which led to his early career as an archaeologist.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=The Ambulist {{!}} the website for author Max Adams|url=http://www.theambulist.co.uk/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-GB}}</ref> One of the excavations he was involved in was at Christchurch, Spitalfields;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Christ Church, Spitalfields: investigations of the burial crypt 1984-1986|url=https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/spitalfields_var_2001/reports.cfm?CFID=75f9a158-ac16-40ad-b849-0fe1e3903c40&CFTOKEN=0|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Archaeology Data Service}}</ref> the findings of which he co-wrote and were published by the Council of British Archaeology. Afterwards, he spent several years as director of Archaeological Services at Durham University.
=== TV presenter === After moving to the north-east of England, Max began presenting documentaries for ITV's local television channel - Tyne Tees. Max wrote and presented "Heroes of the revolution" in 2003 which covered some of the north's industrial pioneers. In 2005, Max wrote and presented "Trafalgar's forgotten Hero"; a documentary about Newcastle born Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, which accompanied his first major historical book publication<ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams - LinkedIn|url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/max-adams-2ab4204}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams|url=https://www.sheilland.com/max-adams|access-date=2021-05-05|website=sheil-land|language=en}}</ref>
=== Literary work ===
==== Historical publications ==== Along with his work in TV, Max has written a number of historical works. Starting with "Admiral Collingwood: Nelson's own hero",<ref>{{Cite web|title=Literary Review - For People Who Devour Books|url=https://literaryreview.co.uk/authors/max-adams|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Literary Review|language=en}}</ref> a biography of Cuthbert Collingwood, who led the charge at the naval battle of Trafalgar. The book was published in 2005 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson and was then later reprinted by the publishers - Head of Zeus. Max was awarded a Churchill fellowship to support his travels required to research the life of the admiral<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Admiral Collingwood|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781784081935}}</ref>
Following on from his first biography, Max then went on to write "The Prometheans: John Martin and the generation that stole the future",<ref>{{Cite web|last=Seymour|first=Miranda|date=2009-03-07|title=Review: The Firebringers by Max Adams|url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/mar/07/firebringers-max-adams-review|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-11-26|title=The Firebringers, By Max Adams|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-firebringers-by-max-adams-1669051.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-firebringers-by-max-adams-1669051.html |archive-date=2022-05-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> a look into the life and times of painter John Martin, as well a whole cast of other radical thinking men and women from the late 18th century.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Prometheans|isbn = 9781849167086|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eExhBQAAQBAJ|last1 = Adams|first1 = Max|date = 9 May 2013| publisher=Quercus }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams {{!}} History Today|url=https://www.historytoday.com/author/max-adams|access-date=2021-05-11|website=www.historytoday.com}}</ref> The Prometheans was published by Quercus in 2010 and was named a Guardian book of the week. Max also received an Elizabeth Longford award in aid of his research.<ref name=":1" />
Max has also written a series of books centered on Dark Age Britain published by Head of Zeus; starting with "The King in the North: The life and times of Oswald of Northumbria",<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-25|title=Book review: The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/book-review-king-north-life-and-times-oswald-northumbria-max-adams-8901959.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/book-review-king-north-life-and-times-oswald-northumbria-max-adams-8901959.html |archive-date=2022-05-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-03|title=The King in the North (2005): Max Adams|url=https://theidlewoman.net/2013/10/03/the-king-in-the-north-max-adams/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Idle Woman|language=en}}</ref> a biography of the Northumbrian king - Oswald.<ref>{{Cite web|title=King in the North|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781781854174}}</ref> The King in the North was published in 2013 and was followed by "In the Land of Giants: Journey through the dark ages" in 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|title=In the Land of Giants by Max Adams: the Dark Ages illuminated|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/in-the-land-of-giants-by-max-adams-the-dark-ages-illuminated-1.2437956|access-date=2021-05-11|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> a book in which Max recounts his travels across Britain and links his experiences to the land's Dark Age past.<ref>{{Cite web|title=In the land of giants|url=http://pegasusbooks.com/books/in-the-land-of-giants-9781681772189-hardcover}}</ref> For the book, Max was awarded a Roger Deakin award to support his research.<ref name=":1" /> In 2017, "Ælfred's Britain: War and peace in the Viking age" was published; a history of the British peoples during the period throughout which Viking raids and Invasions were common.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aelfreds Britain|url=https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/alfreds-britain-war-and-peace-in-the-viking-age/}}</ref> Most recently in the series, published in 2021, is the book "The First Kingdom: Britain in the age of Arthur",<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Dark Ages: a 'black hole' in Britain's history|url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/dark-ages-black-hole-britain-history-max-adams-podcast/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=HistoryExtra|language=en}}</ref> which investigates post-Roman Britain and the political struggles within it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=First Kingdom|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781788543484}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Holland|first=Tom|title=The First Kingdom by Max Adams, review — the mysterious age of Arthur|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/the-first-kingdom-by-max-adams-review-the-mysterious-age-of-arthur-m0r0b0qf8|access-date=2021-05-11|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The First Kingdom - virtual author event with Max Adams|url=https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/150180841941?aff=efbneb|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Eventbrite|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-27|title=Review – The First Kingdom: Britain in the Age of Arthur|url=https://archaeology.co.uk/articles/reviews/books/review-the-first-kingdom-britain-in-the-age-of-arthur.htm|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Current Archaeology|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2018, Head of Zeus also published Max's study of important women throughout history called "Unquiet Women: From the Dusk of the Roman Empire to the Dawn of the Enlightenment".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unquiet women|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781788543408}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A female history: Review – Unquiet Women, by Max Adams|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/17294176.female-history-review---unquiet-women-max-adams/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=HeraldScotland|language=en}}</ref> The book covers a range of historical women: from Anglo-Saxon noblewoman Wynflæd to Mary Astell, the 17th century author and philosopher.
==== Wood-related publications ==== Max has also published a number of books relating to trees and woodlands. In "The Wisdom of Trees",<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-08|title=The Wisdom of Trees by Max Adams, book review: An obscure branch of|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/wisdom-trees-max-adams-book-review-obscure-branch-knowledge-quirkily-laid-bare-9783038.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/wisdom-trees-max-adams-book-review-obscure-branch-knowledge-quirkily-laid-bare-9783038.html |archive-date=2022-05-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> published by Head of Zeus in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wisdom of trees|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781781855454}}</ref> is a sequence of essays, anecdotes and profiles of Britain's best-loved tree species, as well as humans' relationship with wood throughout history. Max also has written a book called "The Little Book of Planting Trees" which aims to serve as an informative and practical guide to tree planting.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Little book of planting trees|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781788546263}}</ref> In 2019, Head of Zeus also published Max's most recent book on trees - "Trees of Life", a collection of texts covering many tree species and varieties<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trees of life|url=https://headofzeus.com/books/9781789541410}}</ref>
==== ''The Ambulist'' ==== In 2016 Max published his own novel, ''The Ambulist'', under his own publishing company - Beat and Track<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Ambulist|date=11 August 2016|url=https://www.thenorthumbrian.co.uk/the-ambulist-by-max-adams-published-by-beat-and-track-shotley-bridge-www-theambulist-co-uk-14-99-hardback/}}</ref>''.'' The thriller is centred on a mysterious figure who roams the Northumbrian countryside, pursued by people from his past. The book also contains illustrations by his mother, Thelma.
=== Woodland management === Max has owned and managed multiple woodlands since moving to the north of England. Currently, he has an 8-acre plantation of native broadleaves near to his home in County Durham.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-23|title=Meet the team|url=https://woodsforthetrees.org/meet-the-team/|access-date=2021-05-05|website=Woods for the Trees|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ough|first=Tom|date=2020-03-01|title=I dreamed of bringing up my son in a forest... and now I'm growing a wood of my own|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/dreamed-bringing-son-forest-now-growing-wood/|access-date=2021-05-11|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> He is an active campaigner for the planting and studying of trees and woodlands. He recently helped set up a non-profit organisation called "Woods for the Trees" which describes itself as a "match-making service" for people who own unused or unproductive land, with people who would be eager to raise and manage small woodlands or orchards.<ref name=":0" />
== List of publications == Source:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams - publications|url=http://www.theambulist.co.uk/publications|access-date=2021-05-05|website=www.amazon.co.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=ThriftBooks|title=Max Adams Books {{!}} List of books by author Max Adams|url=https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/max-adams/2963237/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=ThriftBooks|language=en}}</ref> * ''Across the Styx (The Spitalfields Project, Vol. 1 : The Archaeology, CBA Research Reports): v. 1'' (1993) * ''Trafalgar's Lost Hero: Admiral Lord Collingwood and the Defeat of Napoleon'' (2005) * ''Admiral Collingwood: Nelson's Own Hero'' (2005) * ''Collingwood: Northumberland's Heart of Oak (2005)'' * ''The Firebringers: Art, Science and the Struggle for Liberty in 19th Century Britain (2009)'' * ''The Prometheans: John Martin and the generation that stole the future'' (2010) * ''The King in the North: The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria'' (2013) * ''The Wisdom of Trees: A Miscellany'' (2014) * ''In the Land of Giants: Journey through the dark ages'' (2015) * ''The Ambulist'' (2016) * ''Ælfred's Britain: War and Peace in the Viking Age'' (2017) (Published in the US as ''The Viking Wars: War and Peace in King Alfred's Britain: 789 - 955'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-23|title=Give Me More! Max Adams' The Viking Wars|url=https://concerninghistory.org/reviews/give-me-more-max-adams-the-viking-wars/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Concerning History|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=September 2019|first=HistoryNet Staff|date=2019-07-31|title=Book Review: The Viking Wars|url=https://www.historynet.com/the-viking-wars.htm|access-date=2021-05-11|website=HistoryNet|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Viking Wars by Max Adams|url=https://openlettersreview.com/posts/the-viking-wars-by-max-adams|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Open Letters Review|language=en-US}}</ref>) * ''Unquiet Women: From the Dusk of the Roman Empire to the Dawn of the Enlightenment (2018)'' * ''The Little Book of Planting Trees'' (2019) * ''Trees of Life'' (2019) * ''The First Kingdom: Britain in the age of Arthur'' (2021) * ''The Mercian Chronicles: King Offa and the Birth of the Anglo-Saxon State AD 630–918'' (2025) (published in the United States as ''The Birth of the Anglo-Saxons: Three Kings and a History of Britain at the Dawn of the Viking Age'')
== TV appearances == Source:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Max Adams|url=http://www.bfi-staging.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bcefb4297|access-date=2021-05-05|website=BFI|language=en}}</ref> * ''The Dig'' (1998) - Presenter * ''Heroes of the Revolution'' (2003) - Presenter and Writer * Trafalgar's Forgotten Hero (2005) - Presenter and Writer
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Max}} Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century British archaeologists Category:21st-century English biographers Category:Academics of Durham University Category:Alumni of the University of York Category:Archaeologists from London Category:English foresters Category:English male biographers Category:Forestry academics Category:Historians of England Category:People from Twickenham Category:Television personalities from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Category:Writers from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames