The Sheep’s Tale : The story of our most misunderstood farmyard animal (Hardback)John Lewis-Stempel

“The Sheep’s Tale” by John Lewis-Stempel is a heartfelt and eye-opening journey into the world of the often-misunderstood farmyard animal. This beautifully written book delves into the lives of sheep and challenges common prejudices, revealing that they are far from being the stupid and noisy creatures they are often thought to be.

Lewis-Stempel, a seasoned shepherd, shares his deep-rooted wisdom, ethical considerations, affection, and humor as he tend to his flock throughout the seasons. He brings to life the personalities of the sheep in his care, including Action Ram and Maid Marion, showcasing their loyalty, intelligence, and unique character traits.

From providing wool for Queen Elizabeth’s hose to contributing to biodiversity, sheep are a crucial part of our world, and “The Sheep’s Tale” celebrates their importance. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures and their role in our lives.

  • Hardback
  • 192 Pages / Published 7 Apr 2022
  • In stock

£12.99

Description

‘An important book on several levels… Read a few sentences out loud, wherever you are.’ Rosamund YoungI look at the Ryeland ewes, white and fat with fecundity. Replete with contentment.

Contentment is a transmissible condition. I catch it off the sheep. The old time shepherds used to sleep with their sheep, out in the fields.

I do it sometimes too, on the dry nights, the sheep lying down around me. I’m not sure on those nights who is protecting whom. Everybody thinks they know what sheep are like: they’re stupid, noisy, cowardly (‘lambs to the slaughter’), and they’re ‘sheepwrecking’ the environment.

Or maybe not. Contrary to popular prejudice, sheep are among the smartest animals in the farmyard, fiercely loyal, forming long and lasting friendships. Sheep, farmed properly, are boons to biodiversity.

They also happen to taste good and their fleeces warm us through the winter – indeed, John Lewis-Stempel’s family supplied the wool for Queen Elizabeth’s ‘hose’. Observing the traditional shepherd’s calendar, The Sheep’s Tale is a loving biography of ewes, lambs, and rams through the seasons. Lewis-Stempel tends to his flock with deep-rooted wisdom, ethical consideration, affection, and humour.

This book is a tribute to all the sheep he has reared and sheared – from gregarious Action Ram to sweet Maid Marion. In his inimitable style, he shares the tales that only a shepherd can tell.

Additional information

Weight 302 g
Dimensions 223 × 23 mm
ISBN-13

9780857527066

Publisher

Transworld Publishers Ltd

Imprint

Doubleday

Date of Publication

7 Apr 2022

By (author)

John Lewis-Stempel

Pages

192

Format

Hardback

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