I've just read this book and what a little gem it is. Being a Black Country lad born and bred I am always looking out for publications covering the area and was not disappointed with this one. It is not a definitive history of the area, nor does it set out to be, but what it does do is capture the heart,spirit and individuality of the Black Country and the people who live in it and this it does perfectly. The author comes from Wolverhampton-although purists will tell you this was never in the Black Country-but no matter, he is a Black Country chap at heart and his obvious fondness, indeed love, for the area shines through on every page. There is a section on Black Country speech which is both hilarious to a native such as I, but is illuminating as well in showing the very ancient roots of the way we speak, in fact our speech is as close as you can get to the original Old English written and spoken by the man who is considered to be the father of English- Geoffrey Chaucer. In fact, far from being derided as it is, the Black Country mode of speech should be celebrated.
In short, if you love the Black Country you will love this book.
