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English Pastoral
- Narrated by: Bryan Dick
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
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Summary
The author of the beloved number one best seller The Shepherd's Life returns with a stirring history of family, loss and the land over three generations on a Lake District farm.
James Rebanks was taught by his grandfather to work the land the old way. Their family farm in the Lake District hills was part of an ancient agricultural landscape: a patchwork of crops and meadows, of pastures grazed with livestock and hedgerows teeming with wildlife. And yet, by the time James inherited the farm, that landscape had profoundly changed. The men and women had vanished from the fields; the old stone barns had crumbled; the skies had emptied of birds and their wind-blown song.
English Pastoral is the story of an inheritance: one that affects us all. It tells of how rural landscapes around the world were brought close to collapse and how the age-old rhythms of work, weather, community and wild things were lost. But this elegy from the Northern Fells is also a song of hope: of how, guided by the past, one farmer began to salvage a tiny corner of England that was now his, doing his best to restore the life that had vanished and to leave a legacy for the future.
This is a book about what it means to have love and pride in a place and how, against the odds, it may still be possible to build a new pastoral: not a utopia, but somewhere decent for us all.
Critic reviews
“Remarkable.... A brilliant, beautiful book.... Eloquent, persuasive and electric with the urgency that comes out of love.” (Sunday Times)
“One of the most important books of our time. Anyone who cares about our land - indeed, anyone who buys food - should read this book. Told with humility and grace, this story of farming over three generations - where we went wrong and how we can change our ways - is at the forefront of a revolution. It will be our land’s salvation.” (Isabella Tree)
“A heartfelt book, and one that dares to hope.” (Alan Bennett)
What listeners say about English Pastoral
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- ArthurT
- 16-11-20
A Brilliant Second Book!
Having read the first book, I had great expectations and wasn't disappointed!
A very inspiring and uplifting book with many lessons we could all use to 'improve' in small ways for a greater good.
interesting for anyone interested in the English Landscape in particular the English Lake District. As a frequent visitor these two books alone have given me a greater respect for those decent Farmers who work that landscape we all enjoy. Thank you.
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- London Girl
- 18-01-22
Everyone should read this book
very interesting, well written, great narration.
another good book from this author and a book I recommend everyone reads. If everyone knew what was in this book, then very different conversations would be being had
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- Anna R.
- 24-04-21
Beautiful reading of a beautiful book
Such a joy to listen to. I was transported to this upland farm in Northern England and felt the family's joys and sorrows.
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-04-21
Inspiring
This is a beautifully written and read book. You can really feel the passion that the author feels, both in the frustration of the way things have changed, but also for the hope he has for the future, and nature. It’s great to hear the perspective of a farmer not just an ecologist or scientist. He see’s how far wrong we have gone and that we need to change and that if we all make a bit of change the impact can be enjoyed by everyone.
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- Di
- 06-05-21
Moving and thought provoking
The passion that James has for his land and all land in general makes me want to weep. So many times as I listened to this beautifully written book I wanted to cry. The struggle his family has had, the heartache and stress to survive.
I listened to his first book and did wonder if it would go over similar ground but it is very different. More discussion of farming methods and the repercussions of driving down costs as the number one agenda and where this could lead. It has made me look carefully at the fields I pass every day and wonder if this uniform grass holds horrors underneath.
I wish all farmers, politicians and we the public were educated to understand what the choices we make now will mean for future generations and needless to say our wildlife.
Why do agricultural colleges ignore the stewardship of the land, still only teaching about yields, yields, yields? Surely there should be a balanced conversation and understanding for our future farmers. This book has opened my eyes to farming and how it changes the environment. Also the possibility of positive change.
James is certainly trying his best to create positive changes. His Twitter feed features glorious pictures of the farm and a farmers life on the Cumbrian fells. A wonderful book.
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- Rita
- 06-12-20
Beautiful, touching, important
Just want to say THANK YOU to author for his wisdom...There is still hope but EVERYONE has to contribute to stop the devastation of nature.
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- Kelly Seaton
- 10-12-20
Simply perfect
The most evocative, beautiful, passionately written factual Bible of our time! it should be read or heard by everyone and absolutely part of the curriculum!
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- Debbie
- 28-03-22
Wonderful
Beautifully written and full of passion. A tale of farming, family and place. Where it went wrong and how we can regenerate and repair our broken lands. Absolutely loved it. Perfect narrator too.
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- Mrs T
- 12-02-23
Moving and beautiful
Love affair to the land. This book is urgent and timely. I absolutely loved this - it should be required reading....
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- Paul
- 08-08-23
Important book brilliantly read
Brilliant from start to finish. The narration is brilliant, and the content is vital.
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