The perfect read for a better understanding of the New Forest

15/10/2024

Book review: The Nature of the New Forest by Clive Chatters

Clive Chatters in The Nature of the New Forest brings to life the Forest, from its long history, the geology of its soils, to the birds that make it their winter home. Clive covers each subject in great detail in a language that makes the book readable, interesting and appealing to all.

In part, he focuses on the commoning system and grazing by large herbivores, explaining the benefits of this ancient system of farming and its environmental benefits, with each part working in balance to create a unique ecosystem.

The book is liberally furnished with glossy detailed pictures of Forest landscapes, its geological formations, fauna and flora. Each illustration is explained and referenced, including a picture of a large herd of cattle, referring them to the ‘natural successors to the herds of Auroch.’

Clive does not shy away from controversial topics such as overgrazing; he eloquently explains them in a reasoned and rational way.  The reader will gain a detailed insight into why the New Forest is here, how it existed for a thousand years and how generations of careful human management has sculpted this unique landscape.

I would like to have seen something on how we might address the impact of the close proximity to several large surrounding cities, the subsequent increase in visitor numbers and added pollution that will have long-term effects on the Forest. This certainly does not detract from the incredible breadth of subjects this book covers, and perhaps the author will turn to those subjects in a subsequent volume.

The Nature of the New Forest deserves a permanent place on the bookshelf, it treads the pathway between a book that can dipped in and out of when requiring knowledge on a specific topic, to a good read, sat by the fire on a cold winter’s evening.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to develop an understanding of the New Forest as well as those that wish to increase their existing knowledge of this remarkable place. Well done Clive Chatters.

Andrew Parry-Norton

Chair

New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association

The Nature of the New Forest is available on Amazon from the end of October. 

Save £10 on the published price (£38.50 + £4.50 p&p) by ordering on the publishers’ website by Thursday, 31 October.

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