Product Description

No electricity, no gas, no flushing toilet...and no tractor! Could you survive a year on a Victorian farm? In this fascinating time-traveling experiment Lion Television, with the BBC, follow a team of historians who will spend a year recreating farm life in 1885. Accompanying the series, this book follows the team as they try to run a farm using only materials and resources that would have been available to them in the Victorian era.This was a crucial period in the history of Britain - rapid industrialization had radically changed life in the cites but rural communities used a mixture of centuries-old and pioneering modern practices. Packed with informative text and photographs from the farm year, this book reveals exactly what the Victorians, ate, wore, how they managed their animals, farmed the land and organized their lives. In-depth features describe revolutionary advances in more detail, including new inventions, new breeding methods and advances in agricultural science. Practical projects allow you to join the historians in rediscovering Victorian crafts, cookery and homecare.Providing a real insight into life on a Victorian farm, this series is also a fascinating reminder of how history comes full circle. The organic diet of 1885, use of natural products for cleaning and healthcare and interests in crafts and gardening are of increasing relevance today as we look for a more responsible way of living over 120 years later.This is the official book to accompany the new BBC2 6-part primetime series, "Tales From the Victorian Farm". It includes extensive photography of the farm workers' experiences. Diary entries offer a personal take on this historical experiment. Join in Victorian life with authentic recipes and practical projects.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1510 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

A Real Gem!
This is a real gem of a book and TV series. It never fails to enlighten and astound me about the wonderful things we no longer have or do. What hard workers we were! And for all the right reasons not for material toys and vitamin suppliments. If only every child could watch and read this then they would surely find a work ethic worth living for. I'm so enthused by the whole ethos of this amazing journey through some of our history that I am sure, when I embark on my small holding experience, I shall have it at the ready for reference. A definate buy for anyone to have and to treasure for many years.

An excellent book
This book, like the TV series, is intelligent and informative. The enthusiasm of the three authors/presenters is infectious and they get a lot of information across in a very entertaining way. I think this probably counts as experimental archaeology and I was left marvelling at the incredible inventiveness and resourcefulness of the Victorians

Great insight
If you enjoyed the series you will love the book! It contains further information about their experience on the Farm. It also gives details of some of the projects that they undertook. A well laid out piece of work which would make a great gift for someone interested in this social and historical time. If you have not seen the series this is still a great book that gives you a good taste of that era.Victorian Farm