Oak and Ash and Thorn: The Ancient Woods and New Forests of Britain

(Paperback, MMP)

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The magic and mystery of the woods and trees are embedded in our culture, from ancient folklore to modern literature. They offer us refuge, a place to play and a place to think. They are the generous providers of fuel, timber, energy and life. They let us dream of other ways of living. Yet we now face a future where taking a walk in the woods is consigned to the tales we tell our children. Threatened by development, neglect, climate chaos and ignorance, they are emptier of flora and fauna, but also of people than they have ever been. Immersing himself in the beauty of Britains woodlands and the art and writing they have inspired, Peter Fiennes explores our long relationship with the woods and the sad and violent story of how so many have been lost. Just as we need them, perhaps for once our woods need us too. But who, if anyone, is looking out for them

Reviews

Extraordinary Written with a mixture of lyricism and quiet furyFienness book winningly combines autobiography, literary history and nature writing. It feels set to become a classic of the genre.

* Observer *

Steeped in poetry, science, folklore, history and magic, Fiennes is an eloquent, elegiac chronicler of copses, coppicing and the wildwood.

* Sunday Express *

Peter Fiennes writes with a piercingly urgent tone as he examines what he sees as the desperate state of our trees.

* BBC Wildlife *

FascinatingThis passionate book should inspire readers to plant more trees, support woodland campaigns and participate in active conservation.

* BBC Countryfile Magazine *

Lyrical, angry and often very funny. I loved it.

-- Tom Holland

Rich, personal, evocative, rousing.

-- Robert Penn, author of Woods: A Celebration and The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees

A passionate ramble through Britains complicated relationship with its woodland.

* Daily Mail *

A joy of a book and a delight to read.

* The Great Outdoors *

A wonderful wander into the woods that explores our deep-rooted connections cultural, historical and personal with the trees.

-- Rob Cowen, author of Common Ground

A tender hymn to the trees, a manifesto for a woodland society, a contemporary gazette of ideas and attitudes radiating into the future like annual rings from the original pith In this lyrical, informative, unashamedly arboreal propaganda, one mans walk in the woods can inspire a generation.

-- Paul Evans, author of Field Notes from the Edge

Peter Fiennes really can see the wood for the trees he blends mythology, natural history and a sense of righteous anger to produce a paean of praise to our ancient woodlands and modern forests, and the life support system they provide.

-- Stephen Moss, author of Wild Kingdom: Bringing Back Britains Wildlife

Passionate and thoughtful in exactly the way the best nature writing should bethe woodlands of Britain have found their perfect advocate.

-- Hugh Thomson, author of The Green Road into the Trees

Fiennes is the best of guides, gently, eloquently and with a fierce humour telling a sad story relating chapters of fascinating detail to brighten his tale and quoting the poets as he goes.

-- John Wright, author of A Natural History of the Hedgerow

Author Bio

Peter Fiennesis the author ofTo War with God, a moving account of his grandfathers service in the First World War. As a publisher forTime Out, he published their city guides, as well as books about Britains countryside and seaside. He lives in Wandsworth, south-west London.