Product Description

In the 1960s Geoffrey Grigson travelled around England writing the story of the secret landscape that is all around us, if only we take the time to look and see. The result is a book that will take you on an imaginative journey, revealing hidden stories, unexpected places and strange phenomena. From green men, ice-scratches, cross-legged knights and weathercocks to rainbows, clouds and stars; from place-names and poets to mazes, dene-holes and sham ruins, via avenues, dewponds and village greens, The Shell Country Alphabet will help you discover the world that remains, just off the motorway. 'Geoffrey Grigson resurrected the minor, the provincial and the parochial ... [he was] an erudite and unrivalled topographer … ardent in promoting informed awareness of the distinctiveness of place' Toby Barnard ‘An anthologist of genius' P.J. Kavanagh

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6217 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-02
• Binding: Hardcover
• 464 pages

Review
Marvellous... Every entry is a joy, there is a discovery on every page.
--SIMON HOGGART, THE GUARDIAN

About the Author
Geoffrey Grigson, poet and writer, was born in Cornwall in 1905. He first came to prominence in the 1930s as a poet, then as editor from 1933 of New Verse. Later in life he was a noted critic, reviewer, and compiler of acclaimed anthologies. He published 13 books of poetry, and wrote on a wide variety of subjects including art, travel, the English countryside, and botany. He died in 1985. Sophie Grigson is the daughter of Jane and Geoffrey Grigson and an acclaimed cookery writer and presenter. She received the Guild of Food Writers' Cookery Journalist Award in 2001 and is the author of over 16 cookery books.

Customer Reviews

Charming - a real period piece
A fascinating, wonderful, albeit rather old-fashioned guide to the British countryside. I'm guessing the 'Shell' in the title is the oil giant; perhaps this was commissioned by them to promote motoring, back in the days before global warming. I'd like to know; the text is somewhat coy on the subject. You can tell from the text which areas the author knew most about - my guess is church architecture and geology. His voice comes through very clearly, which is funny at times; it's not a dry reference work at all. There are some omissions, which is a shame; the first thing I looked up was 'cist' (ancient tombs found on Dartmoor) and it wasn't there. Lovely cover and binding, though.

a treasure trove
If you want a better understanding of what is around you put Grigsons book in your car; it will illuminate every journey.