The Lake District in Britain has become a travel destination, but it hasn't always been. The story of a rural community, its history, sociology, and psychology, told with exquisite visual description engaged me page after page. This story is more complicated than first glance - about halfway through the book, there's a plot twist in this non-fiction book. Excellent read.

This book reads a bit like a poem at times. I enjoyed the prose and flowing language as it seems to fit with the topic well. The story of farms and the generations of families that have worked the same land is beautiful and amazing. As someone who has walked and enjoyed the countryside in the Lake District, it was a pleasure to read more about the people who call that land home and so graciously share it with the many visitors is receives each year.

This was really good! Read it in one go on a long plane journey. He talks about what he does in each season, about the lake District, and his family.

I really enjoyed this book and "English Pastorial". I've picked up extra copies of both and will be passing them on to my neighbours.
I live in a Hill valley in the west of Ireland and a lot of the description of life in the lake district felt very familiar. It is a reminder of just how incredibly similar people can be when faced with similar challenges.
More importantly I think it was a reminder that individually it doesn't really matter how incredibly strong a person is. Real strength only comes from having people around you who really care.

I read this book on two levels: 1) The human interest of the ancient practice of shepherding, and 2) The analogous applications to my calling as a Christian Pastor. The book is rich, rewarding, and keenly insightful at several points. Rebanks is a wordsmith and thoughtful. The applications to my own pastoral calling were many - some small, some big. The human interest also stirred my soul to think about the life of my own family and how we pass on traditions and values. It is this last part - the passing on of values to generations ahead of us - that is at the heart of the book. It will stir everybody to think about how we pass one what we love to those we love and how what we love is larger than just ourselves. I highly recommend it - and especially think Christian pastors will benefit from it analogously as well.

The only warning I'd put here is that there is a fair bit of language in the book - true to shepherding form. It doesn't bother me, but I mention it so that somebody doesn't rage against me for the suggestion should it bother them.

I’ve just finished listening to this story on audiobook. It’s the second time I have read it and I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The writing is wonderful. There’s a great deal covered - farming, family, culture, history, education, and the land. Rebanks is refreshingly dry, blokey and pragmatic about his life choices, which couples very well with the descriptive and romantic way he writes about his Lakes District home.