English: A Story of Marmite, Queuing and Weather

(Paperback)

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What makes the English English Is it their eccentricity, their passionate love (or, indeed, hatred) of Marmite or is it something less easily defined
Beginning at the top of a muddy Gloucestershire slope at the Coopers Hill cheese-rolling contest and traversing a landscape of lawns and queues, coastlines and sporting arenas, Ben Fogle takes us on a journey through the peculiarly English: a country of wax jackets, cricket, boat races and jellied eels, by way of national treasures such as the shipping forecast, fish and chips and the Wellington boot. Not to mention the Dunkirk spirit of relentless optimism in the face of adversity, be it the heroic failure of Captain Scotts doomed Antarctic expedition, or simply the perennial hope for better weather.

The archetypal Englishman lover of labradors and Land Rovers yet holder of two passports Ben applauds all things quintessentially English while also paying tribute to the history, culture and ideas adopted with such gusto that they have become part of the fabric of the country. Written with Bens trademark warmth and wit, this is a light-hearted yet touching tribute to all things English.

Reviews

A pleasant and lyrical read Guardian

Written with wit and affection, this light-hearted, yet
stirring narrative entertains and inspires with equal measure Countryside Magazine

Praise for Ben Fogle:

Funny, entertaining and really rather inspiring, too Daily Mail

'A great escapade told with refreshing frankness' Independent on Sunday

Passionate and well-researched Tatler

Fogle's typical adventure-style storytelling keeps the narrative light and entertaining Independent

Author Bio

Ben Fogle is a presenter, writer, adventurer and dog lover. His passion for animals and wildlife has taken him all over the world, and he has presented numerous programmes including the BBCs Animal Park, Wild in Africa, Countryfile, Crufts, One Man and His Dog and Extreme Dreams. He writes regularly for the Sunday Telegraph and the Independent and has written numerous bestselling books. He campaigns tirelessly for conservation, the environment and animal welfare, is an ambassador for WWF, Mdecins Sans Frontires and Tusk, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the President of the Campaign for National Parks.