England: A Natural History

(Paperback)

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Description

'England's finest nature writer' (The Times) delivers is his most important work- an exploration of all the distinctive habitats that define the English landscape. England's landscape is iconic - a tapestry of distinctive habitats that together make up a country unique for its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Concentrating on twelve habitats, John Lewis-Stempel leads us from estuary to park, chalk downland to woodland , river to field, village to moor, lake to heath, fen to coastal cliffs, in a book that is unquestionably his magnum opus. Referencing beloved great writers in whose footsteps he treads - Gilbert White, John Clare, W. H. Hudson, Richard Jefferies, Edward Thomas - and combining breathtakingly beautiful prose with detailed wildlife observation, botanical fact and ancient folklore, Lewis-Stempel immerses himself in each place, discovering their singular atmosphere, the play of the seasons; the feel of the wind in midwinter; the sounds of daybreak; how twilight settles. Each one - whether managed park or wild moor, plunging cliff or man-made Broads - has also shaped human life, forming our idea of ourselves and our sense of what 'England' means. England- A Natural History is the definitive volume on the English landscape, and the capstone of John Lewis-Stempel's nature writing. ........................................................................................................ 'No-one comes close to Lewis-Stempel's ability to paint the English landscape in words. Maddeningly brilliant.' - Sally Coulthard, author of A Brief History of the Countryside in 100 Objects

Reviews

By our very finest nature writer ... a pastoral symphony, a masterpiece, and a very English love letter. -- Christopher Hart * Daily Mail *
Britain's finest nature writer -- Boudicca Fox Leonard * Telegraph *
In an age when it seems that nothing has been left unscathed by our bulldozing technological advances, John Lewis-Stempel offers a breath of fresh (and natural) air. * The Times *
It is now expected of the modern nature writer to draw together landscape, wildlife, history and culture, but few if any do it as deftly as Lewis-Stempel does here There is still a place for this kind of assured and expert countryside writing. Not just a place, but acres of room. -- Richard Smythe * Times Literary Supplement *
BOOK OF THE MONTH: erudite and highly informative packed with humorous, quirky detailsa brilliant gift for anyone who loves the countryside. -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *
Full of evocative detail, this celebration of nature and place is bursting with historical details and lyrical observations of wildlife and landscape. * Countryfile magazine *
He combines Jefferiess way of looking closely with W. H. Hudsons wide-roaming curiosity. That he champions them and the likes of BB and the Revd Gilbert White in these pages is no surprise. All of them, like the author, were true country souls. This is a book to sit on the shelf beside theirs and not be overshadowed. -- Jack Watkins * Country Life *
This extraordinarily fine writer tours England with an eye for every living thing. A work of beauty, deeply informed, a fantastic gift. -- Rose Shepherd * Saga *
What we have here is the best of John Lewis-Stempel and the best of his vision of England. -- John Tulloch * The Tablet *
A richly enjoyable treasure trove for any nature lover. Gilbert White for the 21st century. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller, Editors Choice *

Author Bio

John Lewis-Stempel is a farmer and 'Britain's finest living nature writer' (The Times). His books include the Sunday Times bestsellers Woodston, The Running Hare and The Wood. He is the only person to have won the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing twice, with Meadowland and Where Poppies Blow. In 2016 he was named Magazine Columnist of the Year for his column in Country Life. He farms cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Traditionally.