Be Your Own Landscape Detective

Richard Muir £20.00

A clarion call to the amateur enthusiast, this title seeks to wrest the countryside from the grasp of planners, professionals and specialists who, author Richard Muir argues, have dominated discourse in recent times. Muir's aim is to encourage "ordinary people" to rediscover their own surroundings. This book is his attempt at leading the way. It's rare to find such a passionate voice - I found myself compelled by the strength of his argument and motivated by the force of his direction. This is a step-by-step guide to interpreting the countryside, enabling an understanding of its history and appreciation of its beauty. The book covers everything from how fieldscapes changed over time to medieval hunting grounds in the Yorkshire Dales, and is rich with illustrative photographs and suggestions for further investigation. Muir's message remains constant throughout, which means it may lose its appeal for some, but his commitment should be acknowledged, as should the value of this wonderful reference guide.

Sutton Publishing, www.suttonpublishing.co.uk
ISBN: 978 0 75094 333 8

Reviewed on 21/08/2007 by Maria Thomas