England: A Natural History

John Lewis-Stempel is a renowned nature writer known for his assured and expert countryside writing. His books offer a vivid portrait of animal life with rare color and drama. He has been praised for his observation of the natural world, poetic intensity, and concise writing style. His most recent book, England: A Natural History, explores the diverse habitats of England, revealing their hidden workings and shaping our idea of ourselves.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2024
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

‘John Lewis-Stempel is the hottest nature writer around. – Spectator Assured and expert countryside writing - TLS ‘His immense, patient powers of observation – along with a flair for the anthropomorphic – mean he is able to offer a portrait of animal life that s rare in its color and drama. – Observer ‘That John Lewis-Stempel is one of the best nature writers of his generation is undisputed. – Country Life ‘I love the earthiness of John Lewis-Stempel s writing … The author has seen it, done it, sweated it, and has earned the right to write about it with straw-cut fingers and itchy palms. Brilliant stuff. – Christopher Somerville, walking correspondent for The Times ‘Its his observation of the natural world – the sight, the sound, the smell of it – that is so memorable. He has a distinctively brisk, muscular style of writing that has a poetic intensity and concision. – Guardian ‘Lewis-Stempel sees and hears things others will never see and hear, and he can write about them as no one else can.– Daily Mail Gilbert White for the 21st Century. The Bookseller ----- Our countryside is iconic: a series of distinctive habitats that unite to create a landscape that is unique for the rich diversity of our flora and fauna. In England ,his most magisterial book to date,John Lewis-Stempel explores each in turn,taking us from coast to moor,from downs to field,from the park to the village to create a vivid living portrait of our natural history. In his trademark lyrical prose,Lewis-Stempel reveals the hidden workings of each habitat: the clear waters and dragonflies; the bluebells, badgers and stag beetles; wild thyme; granite cliffs; rock pools and sandy beaches; red deer standing at ancient oaks; the wayside flowers of the lane; hedgehogs and the like. ‘John Lewis-Stempel is the hottest nature writer around. – Spectator Assured and expert countryside writing - TLS ‘His immense, patient powers of observation – along with a flair for the anthropomorphic – mean he is able to offer a portrait of animal life that s rare in its color and drama. – Observer ‘That John Lewis-Stempel is one of the best nature writers of his generation is undisputed. – Country Life ‘I love the earthiness of John Lewis-Stempel s writing … The author has seen it, done it, sweated it, and has earned the right to write about it with straw-cut fingers and itchy palms. Brilliant stuff. – Christopher Somerville, walking correspondent for The Times ‘Its his observation of the natural world – the sight, the sound, the smell of it – that is so memorable. He has a distinctively brisk, muscular style of writing that has a poetic intensity and concision. – Guardian ‘Lewis-Stempel sees and hears things others will never see and hear, and he can write about them as no one else can.– Daily Mail Gilbert White for the 21st Century. The Bookseller ----- Our countryside is iconic: a series of distinctive habitats that unite to create a landscape that is unique for the rich diversity of our flora and fauna. In England ,his most magisterial book to date,John Lewis-Stempel explores each in turn,taking us from coast to moor,from downs to field,from the park to the village to create a vivid living portrait of our natural history. In his trademark lyrical prose,Lewis-Stempel reveals the hidden workings of each habitat: the clear waters and dragonflies; the bluebells, badgers and stag beetles; wild thyme; granite cliffs; rock pools and sandy beaches; red deer standing at ancient oaks; the wayside flowers of the lane; hedgehogs and the like.
John Lewis-Stempel, a renowned nature writer, has garnered widespread acclaim for his captivating and expert countryside writing. His immense powers of observation, coupled with a flair for the anthropomorphic, enable him to offer a vivid and dramatic portrait of animal life that is rare in its color and drama. Lewis-Stempel's writing has been praised by various publications, including The Spectator, TLS, Observer, Country Life, The Times, Guardian, Daily Mail, and The Bookseller. His most recent book, England, explores each distinctive habitat in England, from coast to moor, downs to field, and park to village, creating a vivid living portrait of our natural history. Lewis-Stempel's lyrical prose reveals the hidden workings of each habitat, from the clear waters and dragonflies to the bluebells, badgers, and stag beetles, wild thyme, granite cliffs, rock pools, sandy beaches, red deer standing at ancient oaks, and the wayside flowers of the lane. His writing is characterized by a distinctively brisk, muscular style that combines poetic intensity with concision. Lewis-Stempel's ability to observe and hear things others will never see and hear sets him apart as a writer. His writing has earned him comparisons to Gilbert White, the 18th-century naturalist who wrote about the natural world in his book The Natural History of Selborne. Lewis-Stempel's writing has been praised for its ability to transport readers to the natural world and evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment. His attention to detail and ability to convey the essence of each habitat make his writing a joy to read. Whether you are a nature enthusiast or simply looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world, John Lewis-Stempel's writing is a must-read.

Weight: 698g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857526472