Quick Summary: A thought provoking consideration on Stonehenge

My Review: Solving Stonehenge: A New Understanding of the Origin and Purpose of the Famous Monument by Allan David Beach is a non-fiction book that provides a "completely new understanding of the origin and purpose of Stonehenge." It is scheduled for release on 1/28/26.

About the Book: "...50 years of archaeological discoveries and forensic science have been assembled into a fascinating story of Stone Age motivation and achievement."

In My Own Words: The science, math and history of Stonehenge from one man's unique point of view

What I Liked:

- I appreciated Beach's theory related to the structure. He was frank on his position.

- Based on Beach's expressed history, I can definitely understand his long-standing desire to uncover the mystery of Stonehenge. I liked seeing how his past and present merged, giving birth (in a sense) to his chosen profession. He definitely spoke in the language of his field of expertise.

- I found his inclusion of visuals to be helpful. I was intrigued enough by what was shown that I began to conduct my own research.

My Final Say: Solving Stonehenge was a bit different than I expected. While it was informative, it can best be summed up by using the author's own words, "This book is about the development of lunar/tidal knowledge by intelligent and perceptive people and their attempt to extend the safety of maritime exploration in the face of the dangerous spring tides and safer neap tides."

Other: This book may appeal to some. It slants heavily toward forensic science and math, but for those who are captivated by all things Stonehenge, it should be an intriguing boon.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes +/-
Audience: N
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱
Cover: +

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Troubador), and to NetGalley for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity.

Solving Stonehenge by Allan David Beach is a rigorous, data-driven, and interdisciplinary exploration of one of the world’s most studied prehistoric monuments. Rather than offering a general introduction or a speculative narrative, Beach presents a principled argument for integrating archaeology, mathematics, physics, and astronomy—an approach he rightly identifies as long overdue. The book is as much a defence of scientific and mathematical inquiry into Neolithic culture as it is a study of Stonehenge itself.

At the heart of the book is a long-standing debate: the extent to which Neolithic peoples could have understood lunar orbital mechanics. Beach’s 1977 paper, in which he revised astronomical alignment data to match post-1970 datings, faced extensive peer review resistance and criticism, much of it rooted in scepticism that prehistoric societies could have possessed such knowledge. Large sections of the book detail his experiences with this scholarly pushback. While these parts may feel dense for casual readers, they offer a rare window into the sociology of knowledge, the politics of academia, and the challenges of defending interdisciplinary research.

Beach is strongest when arguing methodology. He persuasively demonstrates that Stonehenge’s geometry, numerical patterns, and astronomical alignments are integral to understanding the monument—not incidental curiosities. His insistence that archaeology cannot be fully understood in isolation from scientific analysis is both compelling and timely, particularly for readers with a background in archaeo-astronomy, physics, or mathematics.

The book’s presentation is clear and practical. Diagrams are well-designed and highly effective, making complex alignments and spatial relationships easy to grasp. The cover is elegant and fitting for such a serious, evidence-based study. Readers approaching the monument from either a scientific or archaeological perspective will gain a clear and nuanced understanding of its design, purpose, and scholarly history.

It is also poignant to note that Allan David Beach passed away shortly before this book’s publication. Solving Stonehenge stands as a lasting testament to his dedication, scholarship, and interdisciplinary vision. For anyone interested in Stonehenge, archaeo-astronomy, or the intersection of science and archaeology, this book is both a valuable resource and a celebration of Beach’s enduring legacy.

Format: Digital ARC
Audience: Advanced general readers, academics, and anyone interested in Stonehenge, archaeo-astronomy, or interdisciplinary archaeology
Cover: Excellent
Read a detailed, academic review of this book on my blog here:
https://thehappybookworm1.wordpress.com/2026/02/05/solving-stonehenge-an-academic-review-of-allan-david-beachs-final-work/

Many thanks to Allan David Beach, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book.

It was a bit different than what I was expecting. It was interesting to see stongehenge tackled from a science/mathematics perspective rather than a social history perspective. A lot of the calculations and physics did go over my head a bit, but it was interesting nonetheless.

It was more akin to an academic paper rather than a book aimed for a general public perspective.

This was an interesting and thought-provoking read. Allan David Beach’s book presents a fresh theory on the origins and purpose of Stonehenge, and it’s clear a lot of research and care went into shaping his argument. I appreciated how clearly he explains his ideas and the way he pulls together archaeology, forensic science, and mathematics to support his conclusions.

That being said, this isn’t a light read. There were times, the technical detail slowed the pacing for me, and I found myself needing to pause to really absorb what was being presented. Readers who enjoy digging into the mechanics behind ancient structures will likely get more out of this than those looking for a more narrative-driven history.

Overall, Solving Stonehenge offers a great alternative perspective on a monument that has been studied endlessly. While it didn’t fully click for me in every section, it did spark curiosity and gave me a lot to think about; which I always appreciate in nonfiction.

Thank you to the Allan David Beach, Troubador, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

This was an interesting new theory and collection of data presented. That being said, it was often bogged down with what I felt was too much technical jargon. It felt like I was being swamped with minute details and terms and it made me want to put the book down at points just to try and make sure I knew exactly what was being said. Again, good information, just maybe could be presented a little simpler for a wider audience.