Every day I try to make each dish as good as it can be: my personal best ever. I like getting the balance of taste and texture just right, using familiar ingredients and creating big, intense flavours. Now, I hope you'll use my recipes to make some best ever dishes of your own.' Tom Kerridge As the most down-to-earth but high-flying chef on the food scene, Tom Kerridge has become known for his big flavours and beautifully crafted yet accessible food. And with more than 100 of his favourite recipes, Best Ever Dishes brings this spectacular cooking to the home kitchen. Tom starts with classics we all love such as tomato soup, chicken Kiev and rice pudding (plus a few new ideas of his own), then refines and elevates them to the best version that he has ever tasted. Give the Kerridge twist to a simple lasagne, and you'll discover that every mouthful is a taste explosion. Put a special spin on a chocolate tart, and you'll transform it into an exceptional, melt-in-the-mouth pud of the gods. With stunning photography by Cristian Barnett, this book really will change the way you cook. Get ready for Tom's new book, Lose Weight & Get Fit – coming this December.
TOM KERRIDGE IS A NATIONAL TREASURE AND THIS IS HIS GIFT TO THE NATION' - Jay Rayner THE BRAND NEW COOKBOOK FROM BRITAIN'S BEST-LOVED MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF ACCOMPANYING THE PRIME TIME TV SERIES Outstanding recipes that shine a light on incredible produce . . . Tom Kerridge takes a culinary road trip with 100 recipes that celebrate the best of British _______ 'One stunner after another' - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall 'I love every dish' - Paul Ainsworth 'Tom's not just supremely talented but also genuinely deeply soulful and thoughtful about his craft' - Andi Oliver 'Tom Kerridge for Prime Minister!' - Chris Stark -------- Come and discover the best of British food with Tom Kerridge 'Wherever you are in Britain, you'll find amazing people producing beautiful fruit and veg and some of the best meat and dairy in the world. British food is constantly changing through the seasons and we have so much unbeatable produce grown here, right on our doorsteps. From freshly-picked peas to beautifully rich mackerel, sharp cheddar to flavoursome lamb – it's time to celebrate how great British produce really is.' Tom has created recipes that showcase the very best of British ingredients, using simple techniques and bold flavours to bring out their unique qualities. Each recipe is built around a hero ingredient, showing how fresh, seasonal ingredients can take a dish to a whole new level. Standout recipes include . . . - Roast tomatoes with whipped feta and flatbreads - Charred hispi cabbage with sourdough crumb - Dover sole with brown butter and capers - Barbecued pork tomahawk steak - Sticky sesame chicken wings - Leek and Caerphilly rarebit - Poached rhubarb with crumble and vanilla custard - Strawberry and elderflower trifle Cook, eat and enjoy recipes that celebrate the best of British ------
Top chef Tom Kerridge shows you how to take control of what you eat, with more than 100 super-tasty, cook-from-scratch recipes to give your family a fresh start. 'Sustaining, nourishing, family-style recipes' Delicious 'Tom is the perfect person to kick us into a fresh start' GQ 'Mouth-watering, achievable recipes' Prima _______ 'I've learned from experience how important it is to take control over what you eat, for the sake of your health and happiness. Now I want to show you that cooking amazing meals really isn't as difficult as you might think.' Tom Kerridge's Fresh Start is not a diet book, but it is about taking control. If you cook from scratch, you know exactly what is going into your food and can take responsibility for everything that you and your family eat. And with Tom's guidance, you know it will taste amazing too. With more than 100 delicious recipes that include: · Tom's BLT · Peanut chicken stir-fry noodles · Butternut squash and chickpea curry · Greek-style roast lamb · Coconut and raspberry loaf cake · Banana choc ices What's for dinner tonight? Recycle that takeaway menu, step away from the microwave and make the most of the amazing British produce with some real home-cooked food! 'Tom has written a book that advises without lecturing, uses tips and tricks we can all manage, and helps put us back in touch with real cooking' Sunday Times 'Cooking from scratch has never been easier - or more tasty' Bella _______ Tom Kerridge's new book, Pub Kitchen, is out in September.
The nation's favourite Michelin-starred chef shares his tips for transforming simple everyday recipes into sensational meals. 'Mouthwatering' Daily Mail 'You'll fall in love. With Tom and his food' Waitrose Weekend 'The reverse of intimidating' Daily Telegraph _______ 'I've included some of my favourite ways to whack in lots of flavour – I never miss a chance to give a dish extra depth and interest. These dishes about pleasure and generosity.... the key is to have fun too, in the kitchen and at the table.' Tom Kerridge is known for beautifully crafted food and big, bold flavours. Tom's Table features 100 delicious everyday recipes so that anyone can achieve his Michelin-starred cooking at home. This is the sort of food you'll cook again and again, whether you bring his hearty and delicious recipes to quick mid-week meals or weekend dinners. Recipes include . . . · Cheddar and ale soup · Sunflower seed crusted sea trout · Weekend roast chicken · Lamb ribs with roasted onions · Green chilli con carne · Homemade ketchups · Popcorn bars · Boozy date and banana milkshake · White chocolate and pistachio blondies · Pecan tart Full of inspiring and achievable everyday dishes that will become your favourites too. 'These timeless recipes satisfy dinner guests of all culinary persuasions. With this collection of recipes in your arsenal you'll definitely be on your way to being a better chef' Great British Food Magazine 'We can all get our teeth into these delicious recipes' Living North _______ Tom Kerridge's new book, Pub Kitchen, is out in September.
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The ultimate barbecue bible from one of Britain's best-loved chefs Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge shares his huge passion for barbecue and outdoor cooking in this timely new book. He takes simple ideas like burgers and grills, and creates the ultimate version with over 80 recipes that are stunningly delicious. Chapters include hearty favourites like pork and chorizo burger, veggie mains like charred cauliflower salad, and shareable snacks like aubergine dips and flatbreads. He also includes desserts and drinks, tips and advice for the perfect summer barbecue, campfire or outdoor gathering with friends and family. Whether you're a beginner barbecuing on your balcony or a seasoned pro who really knows your smoke, charcoal and fire, Tom Kerridge's Outdoor Cooking truly has something for everyone. Take your staycation to the next level this year with an entire summertime's worth of incredible outdoor cooking inspiration
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The ultimate cookbook for simple everyday recipes that fit your needs and won't break the bank Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge is here with Real Life Recipes to make every day taste special using simple, economical ingredients. With quick ways to add maximum flavour, Tom shares how to make the most of your supermarket staples for any cooking style, occasion, and mood. There are: Low shop recipes that use up things you've got left Quick meals that go from cupboard to table in 30 minutes One pot dishes that do all the work for you Make ahead meals that take the stress out of cooking And amazing, easy dishes like - Cheddar and chutney sausage rolls - Crispy-skin mustard chicken - Smoky beef and bean pie - Creamy mushroom and sage lasagne - Self-saucing cherry and chocolate pudding Sometimes you don't want to faff about with harissa and hand-ground spice blends. When you just want great recipes from a professional chef who can dish up the best flavours you never imagined from 'normal' ingredients, this is the book for you. _______________ 'I hope this book will mean there's one less thing on your list to stress about. Just get stuck in and enjoy the madness. And I really don't care if you have a bottle of brown sauce or ketchup on the table. I'll let you into a secret you might not see on Instagram: I often do too.' - TOM KERRIDGE
THE BRAND NEW COOKBOOK FROM BRITAIN'S BEST-LOVED MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF A feast of recipes that bring pub food into the home kitchen . . . Tom Kerridge has gone back to his heartland with over 100 recipes that celebrate modern British cooking 'TOM IS THE KING OF FLAVOUR-PACKED, NO-NONSENSE FOOD' ANDI OLIVER 'One of our most celebrated chefs' Sunday Times 'Warm-hearted, honest and joyful' Prue Leith 'Next-level pub food' Paul Ainsworth _______ Welcome to my PUB KITCHEN 'British pub food has come so far over the past decade and it's been really exciting to see. In celebration, I've taken the most popular items on the menus in brilliant modern British pubs and given them a few fresh twists. This is food for everyone - it's the food I'm excited about, it's the food I like to cook at home, and I hope you enjoy it too.' Tom Kerridge has spent a lifetime perfecting next-level pub cooking. In Pub Kitchen he distils that knowhow into 100 super-tasty recipes for home cooks. Taking inspiration from modern gastropubs, Tom's recipes are simple, contemporary and delicious. With pub-inspired chapters including . . . · Snacks · Lighter Dishes · Fish, Meat and Veg Mains · Pies & Roasts · Puddings Recipes include gastropub favourites like Creamy Prawn Tagliatelle and Steak and Ale Pies, twists on classics like Tempura Cod and Njuda Sausage Rolls, and of course loads of indulgent desserts like legendary Sticky Date and Banana Pudding and Apple Crumble. A stunning bible of brilliant pub recipes by Britain's best-loved Michelin-starred chef. _______ 'This book has everything I've always loved about Tom's cooking: clever, flavour-driven recipes, bursting with Tom's love of pub food' Angela Hartnett 'A beautiful book that is packed with exciting and innovative takes on traditional pub classics' Jessie Ware 'Generosity and flavour are at the heart of all Tom's cooking, and you'll find them in spades in this gorgeous book' Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
The long-awaited cookbook from Tom Kerridge's legendary two-Michelin-star pub. The Hand & Flowers is the first (and only) pub in the world to acquire two Michelin stars. At this relaxed and accessible dining space in the heart of Buckinghamshire, Tom Kerridge serves up innovative, sophisticated dishes that masterfully reinvent and elevate British classics for the twenty-first century. The incredible new cookbook presents 70 of the best dishes that have ever appeared on the menu, including Roast hog with salt-baked potatoes and apple sauce; Slow-cooked duck breast, peas, duck-fat chips and gravy; Smoked haddock omelette; Salt cod Scotch egg with red pepper sauce and picante chorizo; and Chocolate and ale cake with salted caramel and muscovado ice cream. With specially commissioned photography by renowned photographer Cristian Barnett, The Hand & Flowers Cookbook is a stunning celebration of one of the world's best and most authentic restaurants.
Tom Sellers is a luminary of the British culinary scene. His Restaurant Story opened its doors in April 2013; its innovative literary-inspired menu, taking diners on 'a personal journey through food', has won him huge critical and public acclaim. Story was awarded its first Michelin star just five months after opening. This stunning book will be your chance to enter the visionary mind of one of the most original chefs of our time, and discover the truth behind the tales of his brilliant food.
Thanks to his Dopamine Diet, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has shed eleven stone over the past three years. That's the same as 70 bags of sugar. If you're struggling with your weight and need to shift unhealthy pounds, this new approach makes it easy, and is guaranteed to make you feel happier in the process. Most people find it hard to keep to a long-term diet, but this one is different. The recipes feature ingredients that trigger the release of the 'happy hormone' dopamine in your brain, so it's a diet that will make you feel good! Tom's 'dopamine heroes' include dairy products such as double cream and yoghurt, good-quality meats including beef, chicken and turkey, and even chocolate. By ditching alcohol and starchy carbs in favour of plenty of protein, fresh fruit and veg, you will be eating meals that will help you shed the weight, whilst offering a satisfying intensity of flavour. Treats in store for Dopamine Dieters include spinach, bacon and mint soup; roasted onion salad with fried halloumi; shepherd's pie with creamy cauliflower topping; soy glazed cod with chilli, garlic and ginger; braised beef with horseradish; Chinese pork hot pot; and chocolate mousse with sesame almond biscuits. These are recipes that don't feel like diet food, and can be shared with friends and family. It worked for Tom and it can work for you. Give it a go! And lose weight the Dopamine Diet way.
Peri-peri chicken, cottage pie, fudgy chocolate brownies – this is diet food with a difference. Top chef Tom Kerridge shows you how to shed the pounds and kick-start a more active lifestyle with maximum-taste, lower-calorie recipes. Expect MASSIVE FLAVOURS and NUTRITIONAL POWER-PUNCHES! 'High-flavour healthy recipes' Sunday Times 'Dieting doesn't have to mean deprivation' Delicious 'Everyone will love Tom Kerridge's hearty good-for-you meals' BBC Good Food Magazine _______ 'When I first set out to lose weight, I concentrated mainly on what I was eating, but now I know that it's to do with fitness as well: the two working together is the winning formula for getting maximum results and maintaining those results long term. And the number one rule when it comes to eating well on a diet is to keep food interesting!' Having lost more than 12 stone in the last five years, Tom knows from experience how important it is to motivate yourself to start dieting and exercising – and to stay on track. With light bites and veggie feasts, meal-prep to see you through the week and tasty sweet treats, Tom has got it covered. The focus is on bold flavours and big portions sizes, so you'll never go hungry and you'll always feel satisfied. Recipes include . . . · Quick black dhal · Steak tacos with burnt corn salsa · Charred mackerel and potato salad · Lamb bhuna · Blueberry meringue sundaes At the back of the book, you'll find a fantastic bonus chapter with a cardio workout and strength exercises that you can do from home with minimal equipment. It's all about taking control of your life in a positive way, so get ready to EAT better, DO more and LOSE WEIGHT with Tom Kerridge! 'Tom has used clever, cheffy tricks to keep the overall calorie count low while also cramming as much flavour as possible into meals that are easy for home cooks' Delicious _______ For more heathly recipe inspiration check out Tom Kerridge's Lose Weight for Good, Fresh Start and Dopamine Diet. Tom Kerridge's new book, Pub Kitchen, is out in September.
Easy pizza. Fish-in-a-bag. Cajun spiced eggs. French apple tarts. If you think this doesn't sound like diet food, then think again. Featuring ALL the recipes from his BBC2 TV series, Tom Kerridge shows how you can enjoy all your FAVOURITE FOODS and still LOSE WEIGHT with his LOWER-CALORIE DIET WITH A DIFFERENCE. Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has been developing top recipes for nearly three decades and knows how to make things taste good. He also understands how much willpower it takes to shift unhealthy excess weight, because he has lost over 11 stone in the last four years by following a low-carb diet. Now Tom is turning his attention to helping food-lovers who have chosen a lower-calorie diet as their own route to weight-loss. This is a lower-calorie diet with a difference – it's based on hunger-satisfying portions of delicious, lower-calorie dishes that taste amazing. The focus is on the food that we can and should be eating to lose weight, which is easy to make and won't make you feel as though you are missing out. Recipes include Southern-style chicken; One-layer lasagne; Chicken tikka masala; Lamb doner kebab; Beef stroganoff; Sweet potato and black bean burritos; Sticky pork chops; and Baked doughnuts with sweet five-spice dust. As Tom says: 'It's impossible to stick to a diet if the food you're expected to eat is boring and doesn't fill you up. So I've developed lots of tasty and satisfying recipes that people will love to cook and eat, but that will also help them lose weight. I truly believe that this attitude works. I've been there myself and now I want to help others get there too.' By adopting a new, healthy approach to eating you really CAN lose weight for good.
Top chef Tom Kerridge shows you how to take control of what you eat, with more than 100 super-tasty, cook-from-scratch recipes to give your family a fresh start. 'Sustaining, nourishing, family-style recipes' Delicious 'Tom is the perfect person to kick us into a fresh start' GQ 'Mouth-watering, achievable recipes' Prima _______ 'I've learned from experience how important it is to take control over what you eat, for the sake of your health and happiness. Now I want to show you that cooking amazing meals really isn't as difficult as you might think.' Tom Kerridge's Fresh Start is not a diet book, but it is about taking control. If you cook from scratch, you know exactly what is going into your food and can take responsibility for everything that you and your family eat. And with Tom's guidance, you know it will taste amazing too. With more than 100 delicious recipes that include: · Tom's BLT · Peanut chicken stir-fry noodles · Butternut squash and chickpea curry · Greek-style roast lamb · Coconut and raspberry loaf cake · Banana choc ices What's for dinner tonight? Recycle that takeaway menu, step away from the microwave and make the most of the amazing British produce with some real home-cooked food! 'Tom has written a book that advises without lecturing, uses tips and tricks we can all manage, and helps put us back in touch with real cooking' Sunday Times 'Cooking from scratch has never been easier - or more tasty' Bella _______ Tom Kerridge's new book, Pub Kitchen, is out in September.
Tom Gattens The Kojo Hand is a novel about people pursuing their dreams--mainly a young woman in college and her friend and out-of-the classroom teacher Kojo Dedu, a scholar from Ghana with a calling to produce positive social change. The story is told from the point of view of Deanie Hollins, a nineteen-year-old student at a fictional university on Long Island. The story takes place in the spring and summer of 1972 and moves forward through questions and answers raised by Kojos possible connection with a coup d etat in his homeland and by Deanies part-time work as a model in New York City. JD Reed, Senior Editor, Time Magazine, and author of Free Fall and Pursuit of D. B. Cooper, says of the manuscript: The Kojo Hand is a wonderful novel. Its a kind of Shane for baby-boomers with a neat twist. Making teacher and student different sexes is a fine touch. Kojo is a truly magnificent character. I wish Id known him. The cast is great. John Stewart, Professor of African-American and African Studies, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, and author of Last Cool Days, Curving Road, For the Ancestors, and Looking for Josephine, says of the manuscript: . . . the range of experiences and the ways the characters persist in their world are handled with considerable insight. There are some nice things there. Dr. Marcellette G. Williams, Interim Chancellor and Professor of English and Comparative Literature, The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, says of the manuscript: Gatten's handling of his female narrator's point of view is deft and refreshingly "faithful to the grain" (to borrow from Kojo Dedus phrasing), as is his handling of the narrator's feelings about love in her relationship with her lover, managing even to "incorporate the knots into the overall design.
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The ultimate barbecue bible from one of Britain's best-loved chefs Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge shares his huge passion for barbecue and outdoor cooking in this timely new book. He takes simple ideas like burgers and grills, and creates the ultimate version with over 80 recipes that are stunningly delicious. Chapters include hearty favourites like pork and chorizo burger, veggie mains like charred cauliflower salad, and shareable snacks like aubergine dips and flatbreads. He also includes desserts and drinks, tips and advice for the perfect summer barbecue, campfire or outdoor gathering with friends and family. Whether you're a beginner barbecuing on your balcony or a seasoned pro who really knows your smoke, charcoal and fire, Tom Kerridge's Outdoor Cooking truly has something for everyone. Take your staycation to the next level this year with an entire summertime's worth of incredible outdoor cooking inspiration
THE BRAND NEW COOKBOOK FROM BRITAIN'S BEST-LOVED MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF A feast of recipes that bring pub food into the home kitchen . . . Tom Kerridge has gone back to his heartland with over 100 recipes that celebrate modern British cooking 'TOM IS THE KING OF FLAVOUR-PACKED, NO-NONSENSE FOOD' ANDI OLIVER 'One of our most celebrated chefs' Sunday Times 'Warm-hearted, honest and joyful' Prue Leith 'Next-level pub food' Paul Ainsworth _______ Welcome to my PUB KITCHEN 'British pub food has come so far over the past decade and it's been really exciting to see. In celebration, I've taken the most popular items on the menus in brilliant modern British pubs and given them a few fresh twists. This is food for everyone - it's the food I'm excited about, it's the food I like to cook at home, and I hope you enjoy it too.' Tom Kerridge has spent a lifetime perfecting next-level pub cooking. In Pub Kitchen he distils that knowhow into 100 super-tasty recipes for home cooks. Taking inspiration from modern gastropubs, Tom's recipes are simple, contemporary and delicious. With pub-inspired chapters including . . . · Snacks · Lighter Dishes · Fish, Meat and Veg Mains · Pies & Roasts · Puddings Recipes include gastropub favourites like Creamy Prawn Tagliatelle and Steak and Ale Pies, twists on classics like Tempura Cod and Njuda Sausage Rolls, and of course loads of indulgent desserts like legendary Sticky Date and Banana Pudding and Apple Crumble. A stunning bible of brilliant pub recipes by Britain's best-loved Michelin-starred chef. _______ 'This book has everything I've always loved about Tom's cooking: clever, flavour-driven recipes, bursting with Tom's love of pub food' Angela Hartnett 'A beautiful book that is packed with exciting and innovative takes on traditional pub classics' Jessie Ware 'Generosity and flavour are at the heart of all Tom's cooking, and you'll find them in spades in this gorgeous book' Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Peri-peri chicken, cottage pie, fudgy chocolate brownies – this is diet food with a difference. Top chef Tom Kerridge shows you how to shed the pounds and kick-start a more active lifestyle with maximum-taste, lower-calorie recipes. Expect MASSIVE FLAVOURS and NUTRITIONAL POWER-PUNCHES! 'High-flavour healthy recipes' Sunday Times 'Dieting doesn't have to mean deprivation' Delicious 'Everyone will love Tom Kerridge's hearty good-for-you meals' BBC Good Food Magazine _______ 'When I first set out to lose weight, I concentrated mainly on what I was eating, but now I know that it's to do with fitness as well: the two working together is the winning formula for getting maximum results and maintaining those results long term. And the number one rule when it comes to eating well on a diet is to keep food interesting!' Having lost more than 12 stone in the last five years, Tom knows from experience how important it is to motivate yourself to start dieting and exercising – and to stay on track. With light bites and veggie feasts, meal-prep to see you through the week and tasty sweet treats, Tom has got it covered. The focus is on bold flavours and big portions sizes, so you'll never go hungry and you'll always feel satisfied. Recipes include . . . · Quick black dhal · Steak tacos with burnt corn salsa · Charred mackerel and potato salad · Lamb bhuna · Blueberry meringue sundaes At the back of the book, you'll find a fantastic bonus chapter with a cardio workout and strength exercises that you can do from home with minimal equipment. It's all about taking control of your life in a positive way, so get ready to EAT better, DO more and LOSE WEIGHT with Tom Kerridge! 'Tom has used clever, cheffy tricks to keep the overall calorie count low while also cramming as much flavour as possible into meals that are easy for home cooks' Delicious _______ For more heathly recipe inspiration check out Tom Kerridge's Lose Weight for Good, Fresh Start and Dopamine Diet. Tom Kerridge's new book, Pub Kitchen, is out in September.
________ Recipes that work hard so you don't have to Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge is here to make your lunch, tea and weekends taste like you want them to, even if you don't have much time or headspace. From quick tasty meals that you can rustle up on a weeknight to massively lush Sunday lunch, it's all here. Get stuck in to proper tasty food like Cheddar and chutney sausage rolls, Crispy-skin mustard chicken, Smoky beef and bean pie, Creamy mushroom and sage lasagne, Pork pot roast, and Self-saucing cherry and chocolate pudding. There's no faffing about here, just great recipes from a professional chef who can dish up the best flavours you never imagined from 'normal' ingredients and classic British food, time after time. 'I hope this book will mean there's one less thing on your list to stress about. Just get stuck in and enjoy the madness. And I really don't care if you have a bottle of brown sauce or ketchup on the table. I'll let you into a secret you might not see on Instagram: I often do too.' TOM KERRIDGE
The origins of England's regional cultures are here shown to be strongly influenced by the natural environment and geographical features. The Anglo-Saxon period was crucial in the development of England's character: its language, and much of its landscape and culture, were forged in the period between the fifth and the eleventh centuries. Historians and archaeologists have long been fascinated by its regional variations, by the way in which different parts of the country displayed marked differences in social structures, settlement patterns, and field systems. In this controversial and wide-ranging study, the author argues that such differences were largely a consequence of environmental factors: of the influence of climate, soils and hydrology, and of the patterns of contact and communication engendered by natural topography. He also suggests that such environmental influences have been neglected over recent decades by generations of scholars who are embedded in an urban culture and largely divorced from the natural world; and that an appreciation of the fundamental role of physical geography in shaping human affairs can throw much new light on a number of important debates about early medieval society. The book will be essential reading for all those interestedin the character of the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian settlements, in early medieval social and territorial organization, and in the origins of the England's medieval landscapes. Tom Williamson is Professor of LandscapeHistory, University of East Anglia; he has written widely on landscape archaeology, agricultural history, and the history of landscape design.
Authors, artists and amblers have always felt the pull of the Thames, and now Tom Chesshyre is following in their footsteps. He’s walking more than 200 miles from the Cotswolds to the North Sea. Seeing some familiar sights through new eyes, Chesshyre explores the living present and remarkable past of England’s longest and most iconic river.
Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2014 While few detailed surveys of fauna or flora exist in England from the period before the nineteenth century, it is possible to combine the evidence of historical sources (ranging from game books, diaries, churchwardens' accounts and even folk songs) and our wider knowledge of past land use and landscape, with contemporary analyses made by modern natural scientists, in order to model the situation at various times and places in the more remote past. This timely volume encompasses both rural and urban environments from 1650 to the mid-twentieth century, drawing on a wide variety of social, historical and ecological sources. It examines the impact of social and economic organisation on the English landscape, biodiversity, the agricultural revolution, landed estates, the coming of large-scale industry and the growth of towns and suburbs. It also develops an original perspective on the complexity and ambiguity of man/animal relationships in this post-medieval period.
There is currently much concern about our trees and woodlands. The terrible toll taken by Dutch elm disease has been followed by a string of further epidemics, most worryingly ash chalara – and there are more threats on the horizon. There is also a widely shared belief that our woods have been steadily disappearing over recent decades, either replanted with alien conifers or destroyed entirely in order to make way for farmland or development. But the present state of our trees needs to be examined critically, and from a historical as much as from a scientific perspective. For English tree populations have long been highly unnatural in character, shaped by economic and social as much as by environmental factors. In reality, the recent history of trees and woods in England is more complex and less negative than we often assume and any narrative of decline and loss is overly simplistic. The numbers of trees and the extent and character of woodland have been in a state of flux for centuries. Research leaves no doubt, moreover, that arboreal ill health is nothing new. Levels of disease are certainly increasing but this is as much a consequence of changes in the way we treat trees – especially the decline in intensive management which has occurred over the last century and a half – as it is of the arrival of new diseases. And man, not nature, has shaped the essential character of rural tree populations, ensuring their dominance by just a few indigenous species and thus rendering them peculiarly vulnerable to invasive pests and diseases. The messages from history are clear: we can and should plant our landscape with a wider palette, providing greater resilience in the face of future pathogens; and the most 'unnatural' and rigorously managed tree populations are also the healthiest. The results of an ambitious research project are here shaped into a richly detailed survey of English arboriculture over the last four centuries. Trees in England will be essential reading not only for landscape historians but also for natural scientists, foresters and all those interested in the future of the countryside. Only by understanding the essentially human history of our trees and woods can we hope to protect and enhance them.
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