The Shepherd's Life
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The Shepherd's Life
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Narrated by:
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Bryan Dick
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By:
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James Rebanks
About this listen
From James Rebanks, the Herdwick Shepherd, comes The Shepherd's Life, a story of the Lake District and its people which could redefine the literature of rural life.
Some people's lives are entirely their own creations. James Rebanks' isn't. The first son of a shepherd, who was the first son of a shepherd himself, he and his family have lived and worked in and around the Lake District for generations. Their way of life is ordered by the seasons and the work they demand and has been for hundreds of years. A Viking would understand the work they do: sending the sheep to the fells in the summer and making the hay; the autumn fairs where the flocks are replenished; the gruelling toil of winter, when the sheep must be kept alive, and the lightheadedness that comes with spring, as the lambs are born and the sheep get ready to return to the fells.
These modern dispatches from an ancient landscape tell the story of a deep-rooted attachment to place, describing a way of life that is little noticed and yet has profoundly shaped this landscape. In evocative and lucid prose, James Rebanks takes us through a shepherd's year, offering a unique account of rural life and a fundamental connection with the land that most of us have lost. It is a story of working lives, the people around him, his childhood, and his parents and grandparents, a people who exist and endure even as the world changes around them. Many stories are of people working desperately hard to leave a place. This is the story of someone trying desperately hard to stay.
James Rebanks is the Herdwick Shepherd, whose account of shepherding has a strong following on Twitter (@herdyshepherd1). His family has farmed in the same area for more than 600 years.
©2015 James Rebanks (P)2015 Audible, LtdCritic Reviews
What listeners say about The Shepherd's Life
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 03-06-2020
Fresh and beautiful.
I loved this book. It is a tribute to people who came before and traditions valued for generations. A brilliant read for meat eaters and vegans to grow their knowledge behind their beliefs.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Philip Manning
- 18-08-2016
Peaceful listening
I loved the peaceful and melodic nature of this biographical story.
Informative,evocative and inviting.
Well worth listening to.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Simon Downs
- 28-05-2024
Such a beautiful story!
So well written and so well read. I’m going to listen to it again straight away. A great insight into changing ways in the amazing lifestyle of a small farm farmer. I loved it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jillian
- 09-07-2024
The Shepherd’s Life
I literally had just finished listening to the audible book of Helen Rebanks “The Farmer’s Wife” when I started to read this book. It’s actually amazing to read both back to back because their memories dovetail with one another.
I have recently been reading biographies of Beatrix Potter and that’s how I came across James Rebanks. He had written an introduction in one of the biographies and he caught my imagination with how he described Beatrix Potter and her relationship to the Lake District. I realised, that I needed to learn more about their lives as shepherds and I mean shepherds with many hats.
This book provided me with the technical information that I learned to appreciate was really a part of the DNA of James, his father, and his grandfather. James lives and breathes his farm. It is delightful to learn more about him and his relationship to the land. It is especially interesting that he calls himself “we are not sentimental” but in fact he has a deep love and admiration for the people he works with, lives with, and even meets around the world.
The next time I’m ‘that tourist’ hiking in and around his farm I will be sure to actually take my time and appreciate the sheep, the farms, and all they mean to this important region of the UK
I highly recommend this book to those interested in learning how we can be better stewards of our farms, lands, and communities.
To James and Helen Rebanks, thank you for taking your precious time out to share your lives and those of your children.
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- Fiona Jane Harris
- 10-09-2021
Took me to the lakes and I learnt a lot about sheep!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A tale of passion, hard work and respect for the old ways and knowledge of others. I shall never look a sheep in the eye the same way again!
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- Brennan
- 30-08-2016
You don't need money to be rich!
Excellent. I can relate so much to his story. Good on him for following his passion
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- Anonymous User
- 18-07-2022
Great book
Very interesting and well presented. Lots of information on a shepherds life. Enjoyed it greatly.
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- Damian
- 03-03-2018
An amazing read.
If you could sum up The Shepherd's Life in three words, what would they be?
Possibly my favorite book of all time, this book should be compulsory reading before one turns vegan, or even more appropriately, read before a vegan feels they can advise to the greater population.
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- louisecross
- 18-01-2018
window into his world
what a wonderful window into this world, eloquently.
if you care where your food comes from and have even a passing interest in rural life you will enjoy this
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- Anonymous User
- 04-07-2022
Super informative
What a superb listen. Great relatable detail, inspiring similarities to so many rural farms across the globe. Thanks for sharing your experience with us James
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