Customer Reviews

At once realistic, practical and alluringly tactile...an introductory trove full of inspiration, colour and wonder. Review by Henry Dowell, Permaculture Magazine

Review

The Woodland Year is a triumphant celebration of the re-emergence of our traditional woodland culture. Ben Law expands on his previous writings to take the reader month by month through the activities that sustain his coppice-related livelihood at Prickly Nut Wood. With his usual modesty and good humour, The Woodland Year provides a kaleidoscopic insight into the woodsman s life. Amidst the background narrative of Ben's seasonal tasks at home in the beautiful woods immortalised by Channel 4's Grand Designs appear wildfood recipes (must try the Party Squirrel ), homemade drinks (beech leaf liqueur anyone?) greenwood crafts, building with local timber, profiles of our indigenous trees and fascinating vignettes by another dozen woodlanders. Each month we meet charcoal burners, hurdle makers, chairmakers, community woodlanders, teachers and apprentices and also gain a view of the full and rich life that Ben has created managing his own woodland. If, like me, you took Ben's earlier Woodland Way as a definitive textbook on your path to a lower-carbon, more sustainable, low-impact woody-related lifestyle then this book is a joyful reaffirmation that you found the right textbook; that there are others out there successfully enjoying this challenging and rewarding way of life. If like millions of others your imagination was entrapped by Ben's beautiful, quirky, homemade woodland house as it appeared on television, then this book is equally captivating. At once realistic, practical and alluringly tactile it should fairly become a springboard for those seeking a sustainable livelihood from the woods. At the same time it is a fascinating book for the uninitiated to dip into: an introductory trove full of inspiration, colour and wonder. (Posted on 01/07/2010)

The Woodland Year is...a celebration of every aspect of sustainable woodland management. Review by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, TV chef, author and campaigner - from the Foreword

Review

One of Ben Law's remarkable gifts, besides being arguably Britain's greatest living woodsman, is a knack for inspiring others. The Woodland Year is a month-by-month journey through Ben's woodland in the Sussex Weald, and a celebration of every aspect of sustainable woodland management. In words that are often lyrical but always ungilded, he describes a way of life that is both economically and ecologically viable. As such, it holds some of the fundamental keys to how we can achieve a more sustainable, lower carbon society. Ben is a true pioneer and is quite simply creating a woodland renaissance in Britain. Read this, and you will surely want to be part of it. (Posted on 01/07/2010)