Down to Earth by Robert Ashton
Climate change has been a topic prevalent for the past few decades, and with heatwaves scorching much of Northern Europe and increasing wildfires across parts of the USA, yet with increasing regularity of such events, it’s a topic we’ve largely misunderstood during this time.
In Down to Earth: Rediscovering our roots through the soil beneath our feet, author Robert Ashton takes us on an exploration of the soil, with which we hold a very symbiotic relationship, and illustrates how the earth beneath our feet teems with life and, throughout history, how we’ve manipulated it, used and abused it, to our ever-growing needs.
Spanning back across 500 years, our countryside exploration begins with one Thomas Tusser, who abandoned the easy living of city life to venture countrywards and live closer to the land; however, falling out of favour with the Royal Court unfortunately cut short his literary endeavours and left society for a life in the country. This is a tale that spreads over the following centuries. The rural landscape soon came to the attention of artists, poets and writers alike, including a fascinating explanation of the introduction of the Reaper-binder by H. Rider Haggard.
Down to Earth is a book which genuinely surprised me; it’s not just informative, it’s highly entertaining and witty, and often feels like being on a walk with a good friend. Robert Ashton has imbued this book with humility and personality, not just from a personal perspective, but one anyone can appreciate, and one I highly recommend before a summer’s walk
- Down to Earth: Rediscovering our roots through the soil beneath our feet by Robert Ashton is published by Wilton Square Books (£16.99). To order a copy, go to wiltonsquarebooks.com
