A Year in the Woods: The Diary of a Forest Ranger
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Colin Elford spends his days alone - alone but for the deer, the squirrels, the rabbits, the birds, and the many other creatures inhabiting the woods.
From the crisp cold of January, through the promise of spring and the heat of summer, and then into damp autumn and the chill winds of winter, we accompany the forest-ranger as he goes about his work - stalking in the early morning darkness, putting an injured fallow buck out of its misery, watching stoats kill a hare, observing owls, and simply being a part of the outdoors.
A Year in the Woods is an enthralling journey deep into the heart of the English countryside.
About the Author
Colin Elford is a forest ranger on the Dorset/Wiltshire border. The manuscript version of his diary found its way to Hamish Hamilton via his neighbour, the angling writer Chris Yates.
Craig Taylor is the author of Return to Akenfield and One Million Tiny Plays About Britain and the editor of the magazine Five Dials.
Inside This Book
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I think this book could prove to be a bit of a challenge to some people. Not because of its generally clear cut style and matter of fact approach. Not because of its simple chronological style, or its occasional lapses into purple prose. All of these things are central to a book written by a knowledgeable man who clearly has a deep and abiding fascination with the British countryside.
The key problem that some people may find is that the author kills things - kills them with regularity and kills them effectively. He also takes a pride in what he does, but also acknowledges regret. Deer, squirrels and rabbits are killed in the name of woodland management. The author, Colin Elford, is a woodland ranger and he is charged with the protection of his trees. As his trees thrive, so do many other plants and animal. But those animals which pose a threat are controlled. Elford sees himself has helping in the restoration of balance, in a land stripped of its large predators.
People who think of conservation as nothing more than benign neglect, or object to the killing of animals, may struggle with the way the author "drops" deer at regular intervals, and actively intervenes in the woodlands in his care. Those who see the need for management of habitats may not be troubled by this. Many people will sit somewhere between.
This book is a wonderful exploration of the countryside on the Dorset / Wiltshire boarder and without ever doing so explicitly highlights some of the various ways in which people can view the British countryside.
I dare say that the author has sense of connection with the people and practices that created a landscape. A landscape that many people hold dear and that has been under growing and intense pressure since the end of WWII. His book is a wonderful account of the current expression of part of that traditional.
I know that some people will object to the content of this book, but it comes highly recommended as a window into one aspect of the British countryside and its wildlife.
The key problem that some people may find is that the author kills things - kills them with regularity and kills them effectively. He also takes a pride in what he does, but also acknowledges regret. Deer, squirrels and rabbits are killed in the name of woodland management. The author, Colin Elford, is a woodland ranger and he is charged with the protection of his trees. As his trees thrive, so do many other plants and animal. But those animals which pose a threat are controlled. Elford sees himself has helping in the restoration of balance, in a land stripped of its large predators.
People who think of conservation as nothing more than benign neglect, or object to the killing of animals, may struggle with the way the author "drops" deer at regular intervals, and actively intervenes in the woodlands in his care. Those who see the need for management of habitats may not be troubled by this. Many people will sit somewhere between.
This book is a wonderful exploration of the countryside on the Dorset / Wiltshire boarder and without ever doing so explicitly highlights some of the various ways in which people can view the British countryside.
I dare say that the author has sense of connection with the people and practices that created a landscape. A landscape that many people hold dear and that has been under growing and intense pressure since the end of WWII. His book is a wonderful account of the current expression of part of that traditional.
I know that some people will object to the content of this book, but it comes highly recommended as a window into one aspect of the British countryside and its wildlife.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I live in this neck of the woods and it is so comforting to know that people like Colin Elford are looking after the balance of this truly lovely environment. The sheer joy of living comes through the writing and it is almost a case of, despite the eloquence of the writing, that there are not enough good words to describe the pleasure of being Colin Elford. There were times that I could feel the sun on my face and the wind in my back, smell the leafy woodland and hear the birds. If you live in a city and have a yen to escape to the country, even if it is via a good read, I recommend that you hold this lovely little book in one hand and a cup of your favourite tea in the other and relax with this gem.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I sent for this book after hearing Colin Elford being interviewed on radio 4 and have been surprised and captivated by his writing skills. He is totally 'at one' with his environment and can describe and capture this for his reader with a poetic and enchanting skill. You are with him as a privileged guest in his woods.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
folksy stuff
Bought for a gift. I believe it has not YET been handed on to a charity-shop, so it must be of some interest to the receiver.
Published 3 months ago by cavelle
A year in the Woods
What a great book, one of those that you have to carry with you everywhere and read at any moment you get, getting out of bed in the morning, going down stairs, making the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dale Filing
Quite nice, but too expensive
Given that it comprises a series of very short and largely unconnected journal entries, it helps that this is quite a short book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mark Hurst
Deeply satisfying read for country lovers
I read this book whilst on holiday in Iceland where there are no woods. The beautiful descriptions of wildlife in the woods reminded me how absorbing woodland walks can be if you... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. J. L. Alley
Great book. Interesting insight into the life of a forestry worker.
I enjoyed this book. The diary style takes a bit of getting used to as some days are covered in a few short lines, but the longer passages make up for it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. M. Perry
A Year in the Woods, A Diary of a forest ranger
A very expressive and extremely well written book, by someone who really understands what it is like to get close to understanding our flora and fauna.Brilliant!!!!
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. Marie E. Evans
Ah, nature's beauty! (BANG! sound of deer thudding)
I bought this whilst on summer holidays in Somerset, at tea-rooms just down the road from our cottage. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Sebastian Palmer
A day in the office
What a wonderful book, it's just a shame that it only lasted for the 12 months of one year.
I tried to eek-out this enjoyable insight into a countryman's work by only reading... Read more
I tried to eek-out this enjoyable insight into a countryman's work by only reading... Read more
Published on 12 May 2010 by G. W. Browne
One to re-read soon
It's strange to find myself raving about a book in which a deer is shot on nearly every page... but I have enjoyed 'A Year in the Woods' much more than work by some very celebrated... Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 by J. Watson
Nature at its best
Colin Elfords book really is a treat to read,its absorbing,fascinating,dramatic and you can really lose yoursef in it and feel that you have spent hours in the woods. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by nature at its best
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