My forthcoming book -
Down to Earth
I’m currently working on a new book, titled Down to Earth which should be published early in 2026.
We rely on soil for our food, for the rich biodiversity that defines life on this planet and much of our traditions and folklore, but are we guilty in today’s largely urban age of taking it for granted? And if we are – what is the cost?
Each chapter will focus on one aspect of our relationship with soil, opening with how we used to think about and work with earth, drawing on books written over the past 500 years, before telling the stories of practitioners who work with earth today.
From gardener to gravedigger and archaeologist to agriculturalist and naturists to naturalists, I am on a quest both to deepen my own understanding of the ground beneath my feet, and perhaps also to help you develop a more informed view of the importance of soil to all of our lives today.
You can pre-order a signed copy from my publisher Unbound here, https://unbound.com/books/down-to-earth and if you’re planning an event in 2026 at which you’d like me to speak about what I’ve learned researching this book, email me and I’ll see what I can do.
I’m often invited to speak at literary events, and am always happy to speak about the book, oral history, or how our rural past can inform our future. Get in touch if you’d like me to speak at an event you’re planning.
