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.

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.

The No. 1 Bestseller

'Bloody marvellous.' - Helen Macdonald, Author of H is for Hawk

'Triumphant, a pastoral for the 21st century.' - Helen Davies, Sunday Times, Books of the Year

'An extraordinary book, at once political and beautiful.' - Robert MacFarlane, Author of Landmarks

'An instant rural classic.' - Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year

'Pitch perfect and profound, told in prose that flows as easily as speech.' - David Craig, Guardian

'Captivating.' - Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

'Affectionate, evocative, illuminating.  A story of survival, of a flock, a landscape and a disappearing way of life. I love this book.' - Nigel Slatera

'A very good book.' - Alan Bennett "