What was the most important step in civilization? Alan Butler's answer is that it was when we began capturing wild sheep, domesticating and breeding them. Sheep were the mainstay of ancient cultures, by far the most important of the domesticated animals. Able to survive almost anywhere, over-wintering successfully, they provided not just milk, meat and skin, but warm clothing. This is why so many of the earliest gods and their myths are sheep related, from the Egyptian Ra (ram) to the later Christian Lamb of God. But sheep have not only sustained us for thousands of years. Sheep farming also underpinned the growth of European nation states, international trade and modern economies. In effect sheep 'built' the modern world. The demands of the woollen textile industry both drove and financed the Industrial Revolution. The British Empire was founded on wool. The space needed for sheep drove millions off the land, many of whom took them to Australasia and the Americas. With over a billion sheep in the world today the humanity-sheep relationship represents the most successful example of mammalian symbiosis on the planet. The story of the sheep is the story of humanity, a surprisingly exciting and gripping tale that deserves to be told. Spanning a vast period of time, it includes some of the most famous names that have been left to us by history, and many that deserve to better recognized.
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A rattling good read! --Reading Clinic BBC Radio 4
An eminently readable story that will fascinate and surprise the reader on every page. Step by step he explains how our dependence on sheep has caused wars, forged empires, inspired technological advances, displaced millions of people and has ultimately led to the world we know today. --Sheep Farmer
Besides history there are also good practical bits of information in this book. It is not a sheep history book, but rather a collection of sheep related historical accounts written in an easy-to-read style. --Eva Griffith, Sheep!
An eminently readable story that will fascinate and surprise the reader on every page. Step by step he explains how our dependence on sheep has caused wars, forged empires, inspired technological advances, displaced millions of people and has ultimately led to the world we know today. --Sheep Farmer
Besides history there are also good practical bits of information in this book. It is not a sheep history book, but rather a collection of sheep related historical accounts written in an easy-to-read style. --Eva Griffith, Sheep!
About the Author
Alan Butler has had a life-long interest in sheep. He writes stage and radio plays, and has published Civilization One, The Templar Continuum, The Virgin and the Pentacle and The Goddess, the Grail and the Lodge. He lives in the East Riding, England.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Knightrider
Format:Hardcover
I loved this book and found it hard to put down, it has a wealth of information about sheep which I found fascinating.
The way the author, Alan Butler, manages to tie in the story of the sheep with historical events is done really well and really makes you look at history, especially British history in a new light.
If you are a fan of Alan Butler's books or just would like to read something different then try this.
The way the author, Alan Butler, manages to tie in the story of the sheep with historical events is done really well and really makes you look at history, especially British history in a new light.
If you are a fan of Alan Butler's books or just would like to read something different then try this.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ejl Laurance
Format:Hardcover
This book should be on the book list of every school child!
The wealth of Great Britain is built on the back of the medieval wool trade but little is taught about them.
Everybody I have lent this book to is amazed by the contribution of sheep!
A thoroughly recommended read.
The wealth of Great Britain is built on the back of the medieval wool trade but little is taught about them.
Everybody I have lent this book to is amazed by the contribution of sheep!
A thoroughly recommended read.
By SpaceGoat
Format:Paperback
This book confirms what I've been telling people all my life. That sheep are making a come-back, that sheep are secretly planning a take-over, and that (thank goodness) they will shortly rule the world.
No, seriously, this is a fascinating book. No humour here though. Not that I expected a laugh out loud account of the history of sheep I haster to add. Just an obervation . . a little humour would have rendered the text more engaging.
The book still gets 5 star billing from me.
No, seriously, this is a fascinating book. No humour here though. Not that I expected a laugh out loud account of the history of sheep I haster to add. Just an obervation . . a little humour would have rendered the text more engaging.
The book still gets 5 star billing from me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sheep
This is a very good book, not just about the relationship between sheep and people, but about world history, real history, not just emperors and kings, but the lives of ordinary... Read more
Published 15 months ago by greymaus
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant read!
This is a unique, intelligent, insightful, and brilliant book from start to finish. My congratulations to the Author! Read more
Published on 15 July 2010 by Amanda Sheils
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