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iphigenias's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
First half was a bit of a struggle, as unfamiliar as i am with english history and geography. But the second half of the book absolutely sings and made me remember how much i love history like this. History that means something, that is living and breathing. Boyce also has a way with prose that is just breathtaking when he lets it fly. Slow but satisfying start to my 2024 reads :)
bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition
4.0
Living in North Yorkshire for about 20 years I had always heard strange stories about ‘The Fenmen’ from Lincolnshire and none of them were very kind, and usually very derogatory.
After reading this intriguing and revealing book from James Boyce the seed of this regional rivalry became very clear.
Imperial Mud explores the vast regions of southern and eastern England (Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire) that if not for massive human intervention would revert to swathes of fenlands with islands of solidity peppered throughout, back to how it was pre-Norman invasion.
There were a couple of real surprises reading this book, the first of which was huge in that the Fenlands could support quite a large population as they were extremely ‘productive’. I’m loathe to use that word as that was the idea behind the draining and enclosure of common land, but the common residents of the fens were unusually ‘rich’ in livestock and other foodstuffs.
The other was the politicising of the enclosure and how long it took, and how the othering of the Fenmen was used to garner sympathies from outside the area, and this othering was so strong it’s still common in 21st century North Yorkshire.
A brilliantly written and explained piece of research, so many insights into how common land worked in fen areas and how politicians were still extremely self-serving throughout history.
I received a copy of this on NetGalley in exchange for a review.
After reading this intriguing and revealing book from James Boyce the seed of this regional rivalry became very clear.
Imperial Mud explores the vast regions of southern and eastern England (Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire) that if not for massive human intervention would revert to swathes of fenlands with islands of solidity peppered throughout, back to how it was pre-Norman invasion.
There were a couple of real surprises reading this book, the first of which was huge in that the Fenlands could support quite a large population as they were extremely ‘productive’. I’m loathe to use that word as that was the idea behind the draining and enclosure of common land, but the common residents of the fens were unusually ‘rich’ in livestock and other foodstuffs.
The other was the politicising of the enclosure and how long it took, and how the othering of the Fenmen was used to garner sympathies from outside the area, and this othering was so strong it’s still common in 21st century North Yorkshire.
A brilliantly written and explained piece of research, so many insights into how common land worked in fen areas and how politicians were still extremely self-serving throughout history.
I received a copy of this on NetGalley in exchange for a review.
ambernh's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Boyce vividly captures the history of the East Anglian fens, whose ever-changing landscape gave rise to the independent but accomodating Fennish who managed the land with great care, thrift and community organisation. The transition of the fens from a seemingly peaceful land with well-distributed natural riches to a battleground, with the Fennish steadfastedly rebelling against drainage and enclosure, was captivating to follow.
Although much of the book invetably focusses on what has been lost, the centuries-long fight of the Fennish for their land and way of life speaks to awaken the 'commoner' in all of us as we face the challenge of climate change.
It was great to learn more about East Anglian history! I won't be able to look at wind pumps the same way again.
Although much of the book invetably focusses on what has been lost, the centuries-long fight of the Fennish for their land and way of life speaks to awaken the 'commoner' in all of us as we face the challenge of climate change.
It was great to learn more about East Anglian history! I won't be able to look at wind pumps the same way again.
alexclare's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
A very personal style of historical review, with the author's own heritage and views coming through strongly. Interesting points of comparison I hadn't considered before.
stephend81d5's review
4.0
thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
This book is very informative and interesting as used the fens as though it was a foreign or native land and the use of drainage and colonisation of the fens by outsiders in an imperial way
This book is very informative and interesting as used the fens as though it was a foreign or native land and the use of drainage and colonisation of the fens by outsiders in an imperial way
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