Engel's England: Thirty-nine counties, one capital and one man

England, says Matthew Engel, is the most complicated place in the world. And, as he travels through each of the historic English counties, he discovers that's just the start of it. Every county is fascinating, the product of a millennium or more of history — still a unique slice of a nation that has not quite lost its ancient diversity.

Highlights from Engel's Journey Through England:

• Derbyshire: Encounters with the well-dressers.
• Sussex: Discovering the pyromaniacs.
• Leicestershire: A mix of Hindus and huntsmen.
• Somerset: Meeting the goddess-worshippers.
• Lancashire: Tracking down its true essence.
• Essex: Exploring its hedonistic side.
• Middlesex: Investigating the most mysterious house.
• Durham: Moving straight from choral evensong to the dog track.

From Yorkshire's broad acres to the microdot of Rutland, Engel seeks out the essence of each county and always uncovers the unexpected.

Engel's England is a totally original look at a confused country — a guidebook for people who don't think they need a guidebook. It is always quirky, sometimes poignant, and often extremely funny.