A beautifully written classic of nature writing.
'A masterly account...of supreme interest...a classic' Country Life


Long accepted as the best work on the subject, Oliver Rackham's book is both a comprehensive history of Britain's woodland and a field-work guide that presents trees individually and as part of the landscape.

From prehistoric times, through the Roman period and into the Middle Ages, Oliver Rackham describes the changing character, role and history of trees and woodland. He concludes this definitive study with a section on the conservation and future of Britain's trees, woodlands and hedgerows.

About the Author
Dr Oliver Rackham was a botanist and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. An acknowledged authority on the British countryside, especially trees, woodlands and pasture. THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE won the 1986 Angel Literary Award, the Sir Peter Kent Conservation Prize and the Natural World Book of the Year Award.

Reviews
A masterly account...of supreme interest...a classic of recorded field work and meticulous scholarship * COUNTRY LIFE *
As an aid to understanding the landscape I haven't found its equal * NEW SCIENTIST *
Have you ever thought about how trees are represented in landscape paintings? Even country-loving Gainsborough could hardly paint them in such a way that individual species can be identified by Dr Rackham * DAILY TELEGRAPH *
This is the book that felled the romantic cliche of sylvan England ... There are heroes in this book as much as in any history but they are ancient oaks and beeches and hornbeams. Besides, how could anyone not want to read a book with a section on "What nettles say"? -- Simon Schama



Book Information
ISBN 9781474614047
Author Oliver Rackham
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 340g
Dimensions(mm) 232mm * 152mm * 26mm