I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely little study of life of the shepherds in the Lake District, which might sound strange coming from a person who has always lived in cities. I've been on a farm or two in my time but none seem to compare to Rebanks' poetic picture of his turbulent green landscape. There is a lot of information about raising and caring for sheep, which might put people off but there is so much rich description of the Rebanks family and other of the Lake District that I urge you not to give up.

The landscape seems to have a character of its own and its interesting to read about the associated identity and ownership that comes along with living and farming in this area. I want to just sit down with the people and discuss things over a cup of tea. I think he hits it on the nose with: "The real history of our landscape should be the history of the nobodies."

Things that really struck a chord with me were when James went to university but still came back to work the farm on the weekends (what a trooper!), the segment about how the children of the family understand where their food comes from and are aware of the full picture of life and death on a farm, and the strength of the people who work on these farms (there is a reason farms are handed down generation to generation!).