The Countryman's Bedside Book

The perfect book to dip into before going to sleep at night. The writing is very evocative and poetic in style with the observations of the author allowing the imagination to easily visualise the concepts he is describing. A very gentle read

This was a present for my brother, who is urban-based, though we grew up in the country and he has a longing to retire there. As it is an old-fashioned view of the countryside and can be dipped into by someone too busy to get through his current reading pile, it is perfect for him. Beautifully observed by a proper countryman, and in a lovely edition - I would recommend this to any country-lover, particularly those of a certain age (baby-boomer or older).

Purchased for my Hubby and he found it an interesting read !

This is a collection of country writing from the pen of author and artist, Denys Watkins-Pitchford, best known as BB. BB grew up in the Northamptonshire countryside, but his writing is inspired from across the British Isles and even parts of northern Europe. The book contains a variety of rural themes, including nature essays and memories of country life and characters; beautifully written, and exquisitely illustrated with his black and white 'scraperboard' pictures. BB began writing the book in the 1930s, and it was published in 1941 during wartime; there is a hint of melancholy, as he describes a way of life fast disappearing underneath modern 'progress'. He was an avid field sportsman (shooting and angling), and this is a theme for much of his writing. Indeed, there seems to be a conflict of interest between his love of wildlife and his love of the shotgun. If you're not a shooting fan (and I'm not) you may wish to skim over these sections. Having said that, his account of a goose hunt on a bleak January night makes you almost feel the frost in your bones. This is very much a 'book of the time', best illustrated by BB's tale about raiding rooks' nests for eggs as a boy. He then muses afterwards why boys don't seem to collect birds' eggs nowadays. As of 2012, this 'hobby' has been illegal for nearly sixty years. Aside from this, the book is a fascinating read, and a glimpse back to a simpler (albeit harder) life now sadly gone.

No matter what age you are, BBs books are a lovely read. I was brought up with Little Grey Men etc and I bought this book for my Mother this Christmas and she is in her 80's!

For collectors of the works of B.B. this is a "must have." It really is an aptly named bedside book. This book would be one of my " desert island " volumes.

A beautiful book in excellent condition which will provide me endless pleasure.

Quite interesting.