A Short History of the World According to Sheep

A Short History of the World According to Sheep
Sally Coulthard
RRP:
NZ$ 24.99
Our Price:
NZ$ 19.99
Paperback
h198 x 129mm - 320pg
11 Nov 2021 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9781789544213
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
Quantity:
 
 
A free-ranging survey of the huge impact that the domesticated ungulates of the genus Ovis have had on human history. ' This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari' s Sapiens . It' s every bit as fascinating and is surely destined to be just as successful' Julian Norton. An addictively free-ranging survey of the massive impact that the domesticated ungulates of the genus Ovis have had on human history. From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the rolling hills of medieval England to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story. Starting with our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 10,000 years ago, these remarkable animals have fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and languages, helped us to win wars, decorated our homes, and financed the conquest of large swathes of the earth. Enormous fortunes and new, society-changing industries have been made from the fleeces of sheep, and cities shaped by shepherds' markets and meat trading. Sally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a vivid and colourful tapestry, thickly threaded with engaging anecdotes and remarkable ovine facts, whose multiple strands reflect the deep penetration of these woolly animals into every aspect of human society and culture. REVIEWS: ' This is such a great book: I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in history or sheep - or simply a passion for reading captivating and high-quality prose. It' s extremely well researched and written in a very engaging style. It trumped my Clive James memoir, which I put to one side. I read A History of the World According to Sheep within two days. (And that' s impressive for me. It usually takes me weeks to finish a book. ) You' d never imagine the role sheep have played across the centuries: from the egregious rampaging of Genghis Khan to the success of the Medici dynasty during the Renaissance to the Scottish Highland Clearances of the eighteenth century. The trade in their wool has financed wars; lanolin from their fleeces has fuelled the huge industry in beauty products, and ovine intestines even had a hand in controlling both birth rates and the spread of syphilis. And that' s before we get onto jumpers. Or cheese. . . ' Julian Norton, the Yorkshire Vet .
PRAISE FOR SALLY COULTHARD: ' Coulthard is a fine writer' Yorkshire Times. ' A useful and beautiful gift . . . Full of fascinating facts' Yorkshire Post on The Bee Bible' Christian Cameron. ' A cracking book' Sainsbury' s Magazine on The Little Book of Building Fires.
Sally Coulthard is a best selling author of design and outdoor living books including The Hedgehog Handbook, The Bee Bible, The Little Book of Snow, How to Build a Shed, Shed Chic, Gardenalia, The Little Book of Building Fires. She lives on a Yorkshire farm where she keeps chickens as well as - naturally - sheep.

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information