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Book Review: Flowers in the Field, Faith Anstey

Matthew Chatfield
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The small learned society is a mainstay of British amateur natural history. Continuing the work of the gentleman-naturalists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, amateur enthusiasts today still provide a formidable body of data and research on the subject of British wildlife.

Flowers in the Field, Faith Anstey

 

I’ve been lucky enough to sit on both sides of the blanket-covered table at many such local societies over the years, be it a horticultural society, a natural history society, or even a women’s institute. It is often after the lecture (when I’m giving it, anyway) that the interesting part begins; and I am struck by how some members of these modest institutions seem to be the storehouse for a unique depth of local knowledge and wisdom that cannot readily be accessed any other way. That enjoyably fascinating – and slightly scary – feeling the novice gets when talking to someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience was also engendered in me when reading Faith Anstey’s newly-published book, “Flowers in the Field, how to find, identify and enjoy wild flowers”.

Matthew Chatfield

Uncooperative crusty. Unofficial Isle of Wight cultural ambassador. Conservation, countryside and the environment, with extra stuff about spiders.

5 thoughts on “Book Review: Flowers in the Field, Faith Anstey

  • Eliaz Netsah

    Hi Ranger
    It seems as though the review here is incomplete. Has some of it disappeared?
    For an amateur starting out in plant identification, is this the book you would recommend? Or is there a better book to begin with?
    Eliaz

    Reply
    • The Ranger

      Apologies- it does appear to be truncated. Suffice to say I loved the book! It would be very suitable for an amateur beginning the study of plants.

      Reply
      • That’s good to know, thanks for the info.

        Reply
  • Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

    Reply
  • Looks like a wonderful book! Just my cup of tea!

    Bill:www.wildramblings.com

    Reply

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