Product Description

Scenes from a Smallholding is the story of how my family and I moved from cosy suburbia to be self-sufficient and grow organic garlic in West Wales for a living, based on virtually zero experience.
It's not a handbook, but does contain some useful information.
Mainly, though, it's written for fun. People seem to enjoy the humour.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #789847 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

The Bookseller
It is lovely.

Fiona MacIntyre, Ebury Press, Random House
I love this book!

Alan Gear, Director, Henry Doubleday Research Association
A sort of Bill Bryson down on the farm..

Customer Reviews

Practical advice with a healthy mix of humour and scepticism
I bought this book to read while on a week long holiday but found it so absorbing that I finished it in less than a day. The writing style is relaxed and the format makes it a book that you can dip in and out of easily.

Chas Griffin has a style of writing that immediately puts you at ease and a sense of humour that is apparent from the opening line of "As many as two people (possibly three) have recently suggested that I should consider publishing a collection articles". Yet hidden away in the text are nuggets of sensible advice and proven strategies for those who might wish to up sticks and head off into the depths of darkest Wales (or anywhere else for that matter) in search of the Good Life.

This book is a journey from the safety of the avenues of Nottingham to the full exposure of an organic smallholding in Wales, from 1980 to the present, and is based on a series of articles the author wrote for the HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association) newsletter and magazine. The author has added footnotes to bring the earlier articles up-to-date and allow reflection from hindsight which those who might tend to take John Seymour too literally might take notice of. The book is full of glorious descriptions of the triumphs and disasters that can beset any venture that relies on the British weather as a major contributor. It certainly brought home to me the impact that the giant supermarkets had on our agriculture in the early 1990's, especially comments such as having to feed oversized courgettes to the cows because they (the courgettes) didn't fit the supermarket packing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can recommend it to anyone who thinks that the smallholding life may be for him or her, it may bring your ideas down to earth with a bump or it may spur you into action.

Scenes from a Smallholding.
What an excellent book-sure to become a classic of its genre- it will inevitably become better known!
Ive read a few books over the last couple of decades concerning the smallholding vibe but this is without doubt the most refreshing and vital bit of writing about the experience that I have come across in a long time. "Warts and All" might sum up the account of life on the familys ten acre holding in rural Wales but that would not encompass the sensitivity of the superb writing style and the excellent humour throughout- its a very funny book indeed, filled with poignant and hilarious moments.
Its also amazingly full of good sense for anyone thinking of going down that road. Basically unputdownable from the start- I would say buy it for someone you love (like someone did with me!) they won't be disappointed.

A wry look at the mucky end of a spade
I enjoyed this book and the follow-up immensely. You won't have to be a small-holder to recognise the hardships and triumphs of trying to survive off the land. The detailed descriptions of human and animalkind are both funny and moving and highlight the strange relationship of the smallholder who loves and ultimately ends the lives of his charges.
On the downside Griffin's hippy-dippy arguments against the scientific approach to understanding biology sit at odds with his undoubtedly perceptive nature. I would advise you to skip these rather odd outbursts. They reminded me of the old saying that it is better to keep quiet and let people think you are ignorant rather than open your mouth and confirm it. Don't let that negative put you off. The rest of the book is a joy to read.