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Beasts of My Fields
An English farmer describes his life on a farm before mechanization and the animals he raised and cared for.
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
273 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 21, 2019
WWII is raging as David Creaton and his mother move out of London to start a farm. Maywood Farm belonged to a farmer who wants to retire. David has worked at farms owned by others, but is ready to start his own.
David starts with a couple of sows. Then he buys some dairy cows as he can sell the milk and have a steady income. Later the 'retired' farmer partners in a flock of sheep.
This is farming when a farmer with a couple of hired hands did the work without big machines. The house has no running water or electricity. The first is remedied. The second will get done sometime after the war.
Livestock brings work, successes and heartbreaks. The book goes through the seasons of the year; each bringing its own joys and challenges. Throughout is the rhythm of life on a farm.
This book is easy reading. It does detail some of the farming practices of the time, not all of them for the squeamish. It is written matter of fact. What was regular farming is closer to homesteading today. It is a good book to read by anyone contemplating trying homesteading.
David starts with a couple of sows. Then he buys some dairy cows as he can sell the milk and have a steady income. Later the 'retired' farmer partners in a flock of sheep.
This is farming when a farmer with a couple of hired hands did the work without big machines. The house has no running water or electricity. The first is remedied. The second will get done sometime after the war.
Livestock brings work, successes and heartbreaks. The book goes through the seasons of the year; each bringing its own joys and challenges. Throughout is the rhythm of life on a farm.
This book is easy reading. It does detail some of the farming practices of the time, not all of them for the squeamish. It is written matter of fact. What was regular farming is closer to homesteading today. It is a good book to read by anyone contemplating trying homesteading.
July 2, 2019
Cute story but I got stuck in the winter season and it seemed to take forever to get to Spring. Then summer flew by; just like the seasons flow for me in real life. Ha, ha!
July 9, 2011
Much like Heriot's "All Creatures..." but I think this is better done. At least this is one I've gone back to read a couple of times. Perhaps I just liked the people more?
January 14, 2012
I have read this book many times since I was in high school. Love the story and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews