I borrowed this book as soon as it appeared in the library and have rarely enjoyed a biography so much. Although I knew that she had been very influential in conservation in the Lake District I had no idea what an amazing woman she was. The recent film starring Renee Zellweger, which I thoroughly enjoyed, seemed with hindsight to trivialise her achievements, though I suppose it had to concentrate on her books, these being the best-known aspect of her life. This very well researched book fills in all the gaps, shows what a fine botanist she became, with only her status as an amateur and a woman preventing her from being better thought of in professional circles. She was a ground-breaker in the study of fungi and an excellent botanical artist. I hope that this book will serve to tell the world at large of the real Beatrix Potter.