Over years of teaching the archaeology of Roman Britain to undergraduate students, Russell (prehistory and Roman archaeology, Bournemouth U.) gradually became less comfortable with the disparity between what he believed and what he was required to teach. He offers a contrasting view, first listing some Established Facts that turn out to be surmises by scholars too prestigious to challenge. His account pivots on the succession of tribal kings and their complex relation with the empire, which he characterizes as a third powerful family to complicate the usual tale of rivalry between the Roman Julio-Claudians and Flavians over the distant island. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)