Wild Words Newsletter
Get monthly recommendations on all the latest nature writing, heritage and conservation related reads available at Sherlock & Pages
Embark on a sumptuous journey through Britain's culinary heritage with Diane Purkiss's 'English Food: A People's History'. This captivating tome, hailed as 'an absolute gem' by The Sunday Times and 'a mouthwatering history' by The Guardian, offers a unique perspective on the nation's gastronomic evolution.
Purkiss masterfully weaves together the threads of social history and culinary tradition, inviting readers to savour the development of iconic mealtimes and recipes. From the humble breakfast to the elaborate dinner, each repast is examined as a mirror of societal shifts and a catalyst for change.
Delightfully peppered with fascinating historical titbits—such as the peculiar 'trial by ordeal of bread' and the wartime parsnip-based ice cream substitute known as 'hokey pokey'—this book is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Purkiss's narrative prowess transforms the story of food into a revelatory exploration of class, gender, and tradition throughout the ages.
Journey from the bustling coffee houses of London, where political and artistic discourse flourished, to the windswept highlands of Scotland, where cattle breeding inadvertently sparked the infamous Glencoe Massacre. Discover the origins of distinctly British culinary customs, from the art of tea-drinking to the science of preserving food in icehouses.
With the precision of a master chef, Purkiss serves up a feast of knowledge. Learn why toast is quintessentially English, explore the myriad preparations of chicken, and follow the aromatic trail of apples into ancient orchards. This rich and indulgent history promises to transform your understanding of British cuisine and its inextricable link to the nation's past.
Prepare to be thoroughly nourished by this delectable exploration of English food. The table is set, and a banquet of historical insight awaits. Bon appétit!
Book ISBN: | 9780007255573 |
Book Author: | Diane Purkiss |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | William Collins |
Book Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
Book Dimensions: | 130 x 199 x 38 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2023-09-11 |
Book Pagination: | 560 pages |
Book Weight: | 416g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’