Book recommendations

ChrisJB · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 07:18 PM

Hello folks,

Can anyone suggest any good books for me to read on nature/countryside, (old or new) etc? I know this is a hugely subjective area, but if I like the sound of any, I'll certainly have a 'shufty'.

I've just bought and read The Wild Places, by Robert Macfarlane and I have to say I was quite disappointed with it, despite favourable reviews in the press.

Regards, Chris

pressld2 · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 07:49 PM

Hi Chris,

Most of the wildlife related books I have are about non-British wildlife. One notable exception which I picked up earlier this year is Simon Barnes' How to be a Bad Birdwatcher. This is a delightful little book, amusing, informative and very well written. (ISBN: 1-904095-95-X, published by Short Books).

If you don't mind non-British wildlife then I would recommend:

Anything and everything by Gerald Durrell (Menagerie Manor, The Drunken Forest and The Bafut Beagles are my personal top three)
Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine. A look at endangered species around the globe
Tarantulas, Marmosets and other stories - An Amazon Diary by wildlife cameraman Nick Gordon
In Trouble Again by Redmond O'Hanlon is an account of a very badly planned and thoroughly disorganised expedition up the Amazon in search of both wildlife and elusive tribes of South American natives

If you want something a bit more serious and scientific but still very readable then all of the David Attenborough TV tie-ins are very good. Also, Richard Dawkins was an evolutionary biologist long before he started beating up religionists - his recent book The Ancestor's Tale is superb and earlier ones like The Selfish Gene or River Out of Eden are very good too.

Finally Last Animals at the Zoo by Colin Tudge is an excellent overview of attempts to save endangered species by captive breeding programmes. However it is even more scientific and academic than the Dawkins books and goes quite deeply into subjects like the genetics of in-breeding and out-breeding depression.

Hope this helps!

Dave P.

PMG · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 08:28 PM

One of my faves is simply called 'Hedgerow' by Anne Angus and illustrated wonderfully by Michael Woods and was published in 1987 so will probably only be available thro Libraries. Anne Angus spent 7 years documenting one of her local hedgerows - the sights, sounds smells, life cycle month by month and it is a delightlful and insightful read. The pale watercolour illustrations are what got me to buy and then I enjoyed the writing - but for me it was the illustrations first and foremost. . .

More recently (2003) I bought 'An Island Odyssey' by Hamish Haswell-Smith (among the Scottish Isles in the wake of Martin Martin). Again it was the subtle gentle water colours that got me to buy - but the subject matter - the Scottish Islands has a special place in my heart having gone out to the Outer Hebrides most years since 1990. . .

Down to species level 'Enjoying Moths' by Roy Leverton published in 2001 is a delight if moth-ing is of interest - the photos are worth drooling over (if you're a moth-ing photographer!) and Roy's writing is just grand! On the same subject friends brought back 'Moths of Trigon' observations on a Dorset Country Estate by Chris Manley - and its just page after page of landscape shaped A4 collage of moths - very attractive if moths are your bag!!

'Photographing Fungi in the Field' by George McCarthy is a book full of expertise and superb photos of fungi and George doesn't hold back - he tells you how its done and how to go about it!

I could go on - but I won't hog this thread - lets see what others have read!

Pauline

petermcgain · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 09:17 PM

Kind relatives recently bought me Birds Brittanica by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey published by Chatto and Windus and Fauna Brittanica by Stefan Buczacki published by Hamlyn. They are full of information and rich in anecdotes and are wonderful for the non-specialist to constantly dip into. I say 'kind' relatives because they're rather expensive!

poschiavanus · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 09:47 PM

Of recent books I have enjoyed Mark Cocker's Crow Country & Roger Deakin's Wildwood: A Journey through Trees. Although both are rooted in natural history and specifically that of East Anglia, the writing and the authors' concerns are more broadly based.

A few hard to find classics on specific subjects: Mice all Over by Peter Crowcroft - a early study of mouse behaviour motivated by the damage they caused to grain stocks during WW2; Private Life of the Rabbit by RM Lockley - provided the biology for Watership Down; Island Years & A Herd of Red Deer both by Frank Fraser-Darling. All of these are popular accounts of pioneering research carried out by more or less single handedly by the author.

Lastly two essentials on the landscape of England, the first more concerned with the role of people, the second with plants and animals: The Making of the English Landscape by WG Hoskins and The History of the Countryside by Oliver Rackham.

poschiavanus

paulchandler6 · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Of recent books I have enjoyed Roger Deakin's Wildwood: A Journey through Trees.

An excellent book, can thoroughly recommend it.

Paul

ChrisJB · #7 (**permalink**) 18-10-2007, 04:26 PM

Many thanks everybody! There are plenty to go at, but keep 'em coming! Has anyone ever read 'Nature's Cure' (Richard Mabey)? I've heard good and bad about it, so I'm unsure whether or not to part with my 'brass'.

I loved 'Birds Britannica', so might try the 'Crow' book next.

Regards, Chris

Jez · #8 (**permalink**) 18-10-2007, 07:03 PM

Colin Tudge-The Secret Lives Of Trees (How they live & why they matter).

The most informative book about the Trees that without we wouldn't be!

*Highly Recommended*

nightshade · #9 (**permalink**) 18-10-2007, 07:12 PM

Mammal Watching Michael Clarke,The Old Country Jack Hargreaves, No Nettles Required,Ken Thompson
Try ABE books

ChrisJB · #10 (**permalink**) 18-10-2007, 07:23 PM

This is a long shot as it costs over a hundred quid, but has anyone ever read 'The Prose Writings of John Clare'? I love his poetry, so I'm sure this would be right up my street. But at that price.....

Regards, Chris

poschiavanus · #11 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

This is a long shot as it costs over a hundred quid, but has anyone ever read 'The Prose Writings of John Clare'? I love his poetry, so I'm sure this would be right up my street. But at that price.....

Regards, Chris

Parts are available on Google Books, but it seems aimed at the professional academic rather than a casual reader. Shame. I'd try and borrow it through inter-library loan rather than shell out big money.

One more recommendation, as I've just been reading it: Britain's Rare Flowers by Peter Marren. Good mix of history, people, flowers, conservation, disasters & triumphs. Nice pictures as well.

poschiavanus

Kerry · #12 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Many thanks everybody! There are plenty to go at, but keep 'em coming! Has anyone ever read 'Nature's Cure' (Richard Mabey)? I've heard good and bad about it, so I'm unsure whether or not to part with my 'brass'.

I loved 'Birds Britannica', so might try the 'Crow' book next.

Regards, Chris

If anyone ever wants a book but can't afford it (lets face it, there are so many to buy we could be bankrupt in a month!) or if they are not sure if it is worth the money, then head to your local library. They have a facility where they will buy in books that members request, as long as they feel that other members would be interested. The more people doing this with books on the countryside and photography, then the better selection there will be for all those interested in this subject who use the library. And of course the more they see people asking for books on these subjects, the more likely it is that they are going to buy them in. I have done this with books on several topics that interested me and I have also done it to get books into a library that I think are must reads on a topic for other people to benefit from.

coasty · #13 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 02:17 PM

I love books and collect antiquarian books,,, Here are few suggested titles and Authors ( granted some may have a countryman / Angler slant but still a great read.

R Jukes " Loved River " beautiful read I love this book,,,,
Jack Hargreaves ( of "HOW " Fame) Several titles by him
American Author Roderick Haig Brown some lovely evoctive tales with a strong nature thread. There are loads by him.
The countrymans bedside book by BB is a classic read as are the other books in the BB series..

I suggest you look on Abebooks web site as suggested above , You can usually find anything on there....

Jez · #14 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 06:48 PM

How could i forget my favourite wildflower/ wildlife books by Pam Lewis?
Making wildflower Meadows. This is a book of inspiration for the smallest of meadow patches to larger meadows & Stickey Wicket (her Home) Gardening In Tune With Nature. A superb book of her personnel achievements. Her planting is second to none and will inspire *full stop*.

ChrisJB · #15 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Parts are available on Google Books, but it seems aimed at the professional academic rather than a casual reader. Shame. I'd try and borrow it through inter-library loan rather than shell out big money.

poschiavanus

Thanks for that. I've just had a look at the link you posted. You are right, it does seem to be heavy reading. You've probably just saved me a few quid! Instead, I'll re-read Jonathan Bate's biography of Clare (a fab' book).

Regards, Chris

nightshade · #16 (**permalink**) 19-10-2007, 07:21 PM

Oh and the Flowering of Britain,Richard Mabey & Tony Evans

asheleaf · #17 (**permalink**) 20-10-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Of recent books I have enjoyed & Roger Deakin's Wildwood: A Journey through Trees.

poschiavanus

This one is on my christmas list. I'm glad to here its as enjoyable as the reviews suggested. Now i'm really curious and i'm not sure if i can wait for Christmas!

I enjoyed the Collins Wild Habitats series by Chris Packham. 'Deciduous Woodlands', 'Heathlands' etc. They are very absorbing, I found myself totally fascinated. My only criticism is they were much too short! I have four of the series which i picked up cheaply on that auction site....

Wayre's books on Otters and Phil Drabbles tales are also very readable if your interested in mammals.

Pakenham's 'Meetings with Remarkable Trees' and 'Remarkable Trees of the World'

'Heritage Trees of Britain and Ireland'

The Whittet book series on mammals

'British Butterflies' by Tomlinson

and on and on and on...

Ashe

Jez · #18 (**permalink**) 21-10-2007, 10:23 AM

Has anyone any books they could recommend on Native Grasses of UK. To be honest i could appreciate my meadows a whole lot more! Thanks

nightshade · #19 (**permalink**) 21-10-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

Has anyone any books they could recommend on Native Grasses of UK. To be honest i could appreciate my meadows a whole lot more! Thanks

I have a Collins book;
Complete British Wildflowers by Paul Sterry
It includes Grasses and Aquatic plants and if I remember correctly Orchids
with maps and location guides,nice clear photos
ISBN 0-00-720469-8

poschiavanus · #20 (**permalink**) 21-10-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jez

Has anyone any books they could recommend on Native Grasses of UK. To be honest i could appreciate my meadows a whole lot more! Thanks

Ashe, I think the standard grass book is Hubbard. I first used this donkeys years ago as an A-level student & found it heavy going, although I was used to dichotomous keys. Some decades later I've acquired my own copy and have found it pretty reliable. There is also Francis Rose's book: this is more expensive, but does cover Sedges, Ferns and Rushes as well.

I suspect that Grasses are an area where a formal field course would make a big difference in getting over the steep bit of the learning curve. I tried for an FSC course this year but it had been cancelled: lack of interest.

Quote:

I enjoyed the Collins Wild Habitats series by Chris Packham. 'Deciduous Woodlands', 'Heathlands' etc.

Chris, I'll look out for them.

I've tried various volumes of the NVC series, but they're very dry & expensive. Anyone ever read Ellenberg's Vegetation of Central Europe & the Alps (English version of 4th edition 1988). I'd love to see something written about Britain & Ireland with the same sense of place and deep scientific knowledge.

One more suggestion, but I haven't read it myself: Jenny Uglow's Nature's Engraver about Thomas Bewick. This is on my Xmas list, and if it's anything close to her earlier The Lunar Men definitely worth reading.

poschiavanus

Jez · #21 (**permalink**) 21-10-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

I have a Collins book;
Complete British Wildflowers by Paul Sterry
It includes Grasses and Aquatic plants and if I remember correctly Orchids
with maps and location guides,nice clear photos
ISBN 0-00-720469-8

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Ashe, I think the standard grass book is Hubbard. I first used this donkeys years ago as an A-level student & found it heavy going, although I was used to dichotomous keys. Some decades later I've acquired my own copy and have found it pretty reliable. There is also Francis Rose's book: this is more expensive, but does cover Sedges, Ferns and Rushes as well.

I suspect that Grasses are an area where a formal field course would make a big difference in getting over the steep bit of the learning curve. I tried for an FSC course this year but it had been cancelled: lack of interest.

Chris, I'll look out for them.

I've tried various volumes of the NVC series, but they're very dry & expensive. Anyone ever read Ellenberg's Vegetation of Central Europe & the Alps (English version of 4th edition 1988). I'd love to see something written about Britain & Ireland with the same sense of place and deep scientific knowledge.

One more suggestion, but I haven't read it myself: Jenny Uglow's Nature's Engraver about Thomas Bewick. This is on my Xmas list, and if it's anything close to her earlier The Lunar Men definitely worth reading.

poschiavanus

Thanks both!

Paul mabbott · #22 (**permalink**) 21-10-2007, 07:15 PM

Yes indeed, both books are correct but not easy to use. The big problem with grasses is that you need to examine them at the time that all their feature are shown optimally.

Yes, you're far better, as a starter, going out with an expert (or even a competent grass botanist!) so that you can (a) recognise the most common species (so that you don't need to key them out) and (b) recognise the critical points of some genera (Festuca &c) so that you can start the key three-quarters of the way down.

Sure this is what you would do with any organisms but is particularly useful with grasses. Personally

I usually get confused at the genus stage ....

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

Ashe, I think the standard grass book is Hubbard. I first used this donkeys years ago as an A-level student & found it heavy going, although I was used to dichotomous keys. Some decades later I've acquired my own copy and have found it pretty reliable. There is also Francis Rose's book: this is more expensive, but does cover Sedges, Ferns and Rushes as well.

I suspect that Grasses are an area where a formal field course would make a big difference in getting over the steep bit of the learning curve. I tried for an FSC course this year but it had been cancelled: lack of interest.

Chris, I'll look out for them.

I've tried various volumes of the NVC series, but they're very dry & expensive. Anyone ever read Ellenberg's Vegetation of Central Europe & the Alps (English version of 4th edition 1988). I'd love to see something written about Britain & Ireland with the same sense of place and deep scientific knowledge.

One more suggestion, but I haven't read it myself: Jenny Uglow's Nature's Engraver about Thomas Bewick. This is on my Xmas list, and if it's anything close to her earlier The Lunar Men definitely worth reading.

poschiavanus