The History of the Countryside by Dr Oliver Rackham (Paperback)

"From its earliest origins to the present day, this award-winning, beautifully written book describes the endlessly changing character of Britain's countryside. Exploring the natural and man-made features of the land - fields, highways, hedgerows, fens, marshes, rivers, heaths, coasts, woods and wood pastures - Rackham shows conclusively and unforgettably how they have developed over the centuries. In doing so, he covers a wealth of related subjects to provide a fascinating account of the sometimes subtle and sometimes radical ways in which people, fauna, flora, climate, soils and other physical conditions have played their part in the shaping of the countryside." -