Book description
In this remarkable, landmark publication, countryman Sir Johnny Scott
evokes all that is romantic about the British countryside, its people,
customs and traditions. Over its 600 gloriously illustrated pages,
Johnny draws on his wisdom and knowledge to reveal a forgotten culture,
and encourages us all to rediscover a beautiful Britain.
“I always think of nightingales when spring arrives in the south of
England and winter is still reluctant to release its grip north of the
Border. I heard my first as a very small child while staying with my
grandparents on the Ashdown Forest. My sister woke me one night with an
excited whisper, 'A nightingale! You must listen to the nightingale
sing!' Together we sat on the window seat, gazing across moonlit lawns
towards the forest. At that moment, as if nature had not already done
enough to impress, the most wonderful sound I had ever heard filled the
silence, as the nightingale started to sing. A rapid succession of
varied, unconstructed notes, some harsh, some liquid, sung with great
exuberance and vigour, changed to a long, slow, pleading song that rose
in volume to a sudden piteous crescendo, before reverting to a tune of
jollity and mirth. In my mind's eye I saw it erect and glowing,
somewhere in the darkness among the oak trees, but no amount of
searching that morning produced a single golden feather.”
Throughout the pages of A Book of Britain, Johnny Scott celebrates the
landscape and people and reveals why, through centuries of careful
management, conservation and cultivation, Britain looks as it does. We
discover Royal forests and protected oaks; learn animal behaviour and
how best to observe wildlife whether on the moors or in your garden; we
learn about traditional country sports from familiar hobbies such as
fishing and shooting to lesser-known activities such as “swan upping”.
Johnny teaches us to look to animals and nature to predict the weather,
and reveals many customs and traditions that are in danger of being lost.
This book is a gift in every sense - not only in its sheer scope and
presence, but in the rich legacy it will leave behind for future
generations. 'A magnum opus of high order… For anyone who values the
countryside, this title is an absolute must.' - The Field Sir John
Scott (Johnny to his friends) is a historian, broadcaster, columnist,
countryside campaigner and farmer. He wrote and co-presented the BBC2
series Clarissa and the Countryman and writes for a variety of magazines
and periodicals on field sports, food, farming, travel, natural history
and rural issues.
http://www. johnnyscott. co. uk/
