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Woodsman

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Woodsman

By: Ben Law
Narrated by: Ben Law
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About this listen

Ben Law has lived as a woodsman in Prickly Nut Wood for over 20 years. His authentic, incredible sense of the land and the wildlife, and his respect for age old traditions and how to sustain them offers a wonderful, inviting insight into the life and character of Prickly Nut Wood.

Having travelled to Papua New Guinea and the Amazon, observing age-old techniques for living in, working in and preserving forests and woodland, Ben Law felt compelled to return home and apply his learnings to a 400 year old plot of woodland near where he grew up – Prickly Nut Wood.

This is the story of how he came to know and love his woodland, how he lived off the land, how he coppiced and hedged and created charcoal, how he puddled and built shelter, and finally how he carved out his famous, characterful woodland home that Kevin McCloud has cited as his favourite ever Grand Design.

And it’s the story of the wood itself – how it lives and breathes and affects all those who encounter it, and how it’s developed over the twenty incredible years Ben has shared in its lifespan.

It’s an incredibly transporting tale that will make you long to hear the dawn chorus, and appreciate the beauty of Britain’s pockets of woodland.

©2013 Ben Law (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Biological Sciences Botany & Plants Ecosystems & Habitats Natural Resources Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Inspiring Thought-Provoking Outdoor Ecosystem Habitat

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Critic reviews

"Ben Law is an extraordinary man." (Kevin McCloud)
Most relevant
A book to make you reflect, think and warm your heart. A short but absorbing book

a must listen.

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The images of Ben’s wood and his life within it as a forest dweller are stunning. He shares such valuable insights and suggestions for how we can care for our woodlands in a way that prepares for the provisions that will be undoubtedly needed by future generations. Thank you Ben.

A beautiful listen

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Although Ben the narrator was monotone, his description of nature and living environment ally friendly ways I found stir memories of childhood growing up in the country. The old ways are better and i wish more people could read this and part of the school corriculum.

The Woodsman

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Relatively short but a concise and very well put together book on the knowledgeable author/narrators experience of building a life in his small patch of woodland. A book that will make you want join him in a hardworking but fulfilling lifestyle.

Such a enjoyable little audiobook

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After seeing this man on grand designs , i was interested when i heard he was bring out a book , i'm glad i bought it , go's into great about his work living in the wood and his roll in looking after the area and trying to make a living off the land , also tells the story about being involved and building his house for grand designs , a great listen for anyone interested in his story from grand designs or about work go's into managing a woodland

Very enjoyable

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Fantastic book with a wonderful true story and a fascinating way of life.
A few people moaning about the performance.
Ben law is an author and an incredible worker with his hands, he is not a professional audio book performance artist, this is his story and if you don’t like how its performed you’re missing the point.if your having trouble stick it on 1.3x and you’ll be reet.

A wonderful trip into a woodsmans life

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a reflection of past sustainable Woodland life in today's world.
I really enjoyed the read, the last chapter is reminiscent of Anerican perepers!

reflective :-)

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This is a lovely book. It is thought provoking yet not too scholarly.I am so glad you wrote it.

Thank you

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This is an inspirational, albeit somewhat idealistic account of the benefits of a woodland agrarian lifestyle. There are many important lessons here for all of us but the author and narrator is a little irritating at times.

A stimulating but idealistic review.

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Absolutely loved this. Listened in one sitting. He has totally captured what I believe everyone should be thinking about.

Brilliant

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