Living Off the Land

Walking through the countryside before the end of the Second World War, one could hardly fail to see people working in the fields, often with horses. But huge changes were around the corner and a way of country life that had lasted centuries faded away. Luckily, the camera had come into popular use by the 1860s and this book contains many fascinating photographs of rural workers. Village blacksmiths, ploughmen, hop-pickers, tramps, rat-catchers, working children, game-keepers and many others -- they are all celebrated and explained here by Frances Mountford's wonderful illustrations, anecdotes and photographs. The jigsaw of all those who made up country life are pieced together in this fascinating "scrap-book"-style, highly informative book.