The Natural History of the Hedgerow: And Ditches, Dykes and Dry Stone Walls

£9.95

The Natural History of the Hedgerow: And Ditches, Dykes and Dry Stone Walls Author: Format: Paperback First Published: Published By: Profile Books Ltd
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Pages: 384 Illustrations and other contents: Colour photos throughout ISBN: 9781846685538 Category:

This is a guide to hedgerows past and present. John Wright describes their origins and long history in the life of the countryside, their natural history, the crafts involved in their planting and maintenance, and the huge variety in their ages, sizes, shape, composition and functions. He looks too at the drystone walls of Scotland, Devon, Cornwall, the Cotswolds, and the north of England, some of which date back thousands of years.

John Wright’s account is a fascinating amalgam of natural and cultural history brought vividly to life by his intimate knowledge of the countryside. The characteristic landscapes of the British regions, the hedgerow and dry-stone crafts, and every species described in the book are illustrated with photographs, almost all taken by the author.

Weight0.9 kg
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A beautifully presented field guide. -- Robbie Millen * Times * A true labour of love spiced with a fine dry humour... a rich and spellbinding love letter to the great British hedgerow... [not] just a delightful one-off read, but an invaluable work of reference that will remain on my bookshelves for good. -- Christopher Hart * The Sunday Times * This illustrated survey is historically detailed, enriched by the author's deep knowledge of British landscapes and natural history. * Guardian * After reading this delightful book, you'll see those humble boundaries as living archives of our island story. * Daily Mail * Fascinating... his book grows on me, like honeysuckle... shows a clean limb and a sense of humour... he does the hedgerow good. * Country Life * Hugely enjoyable ... such a pleasure to read ... laced with humour and an abundance of first-hand knowledge. * BBC Countryfile * Engaging... plants are described with tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm that can only come from someone who knows and loves them like old friends... [A] great educational tool - not to say fascinating read. * English Garden * Wright covers a respectable amount of ground in this hybrid field guide... Often humorous and richly informative, this a perfect book for dipping into. * The Lady * Praise for The Naming of the Shrew: Who would have thought that a book about Latin names could be quite so compelling! * Alan Titchmarsh * Brims with verbal curiosities * Nature * Nature writing at its best: insightful, entertaining and often very funny * British Wildlife * Weird and wonderful * Sunday Telegraph * Charming. * The Lady * The pleasure of Wright's book is the contrast between the rigour required for giving names and the careless minds and mischievous humour of those who devise them. * The Times * Fascinating and funny. * BBC Countrylife * Erudite but whimsical ... a book as charming as it is wise. * Irish Examiner * A great read. * Grow Your Own *