English
A Story of Marmite, Queuing and Weather
Published on 19. April 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-00-822228-4 (ISBN)
Description
What makes the English English? Is it their eccentricity, their passionate love (or, indeed, hatred) of Marmite - or is it something less easily defined?
Beginning at the top of a muddy Gloucestershire slope at the Coopers Hill cheese-rolling contest and traversing a landscape of lawns and queues, coastlines and sporting arenas, Ben Fogle takes us on a journey through the peculiarly English: a country of wax jackets, cricket, boat races and jellied eels, by way of national treasures such as the shipping forecast, fish and chips and the Wellington boot. Not to mention the Dunkirk spirit of relentless optimism in the face of adversity, be it the heroic failure of Captain Scott's doomed Antarctic expedition, or simply the perennial hope for better weather.
The archetypal Englishman - lover of labradors and Land Rovers yet holder of two passports - Ben applauds all things quintessentially English while also paying tribute to the history, culture and ideas adopted with such gusto that they have become part of the fabric of the country. Written with Ben's trademark warmth and wit, this is a light-hearted yet touching tribute to all things English.
Beginning at the top of a muddy Gloucestershire slope at the Coopers Hill cheese-rolling contest and traversing a landscape of lawns and queues, coastlines and sporting arenas, Ben Fogle takes us on a journey through the peculiarly English: a country of wax jackets, cricket, boat races and jellied eels, by way of national treasures such as the shipping forecast, fish and chips and the Wellington boot. Not to mention the Dunkirk spirit of relentless optimism in the face of adversity, be it the heroic failure of Captain Scott's doomed Antarctic expedition, or simply the perennial hope for better weather.
The archetypal Englishman - lover of labradors and Land Rovers yet holder of two passports - Ben applauds all things quintessentially English while also paying tribute to the history, culture and ideas adopted with such gusto that they have become part of the fabric of the country. Written with Ben's trademark warmth and wit, this is a light-hearted yet touching tribute to all things English.
Reviews / Votes
'A pleasant and lyrical read' Guardian'Written with wit and affection, this light-hearted, yet
stirring narrative entertains and inspires with equal measure' Countryside Magazine
Praise for Ben Fogle:
'Funny, entertaining and really rather inspiring, too' Daily Mail
'A great escapade told with refreshing frankness' Independent on Sunday
'Passionate and well-researched' Tatler
'Fogle's typical adventure-style storytelling keeps the narrative light and entertaining' Independent
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
(16-page plate section)
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-822228-4 (9780008222284)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2017
1st Edition
William Collins
€6.99
Available for download
Person
Ben Fogle is the quintessential Englishman. An explorer, he loves Marmite and dogs. He owns far too many wax jackets and Wellington boots and he loves to grumble about the weather. He often apologises and can be found at the back of most queues. He had wonky teeth until the dentist sorted them out. He drives an old Land Rover and eats fish and chips. He never travels without some English tea. He lives in London with his wife Marina, his two children Ludo and Iona and his beloved black Labrador, Storm (of course).