English: A Story of Marmite, Queuing and Weather

by Ben Fogle

Overview

What makes the English English? Is it their eccentricity, their passionate love (or, indeed, hatred) of Marmite – or is it something less easily defined?

Beginning at the top of a muddy Gloucestershire slope at the Coopers Hill cheese-rolling contest and traversing a landscape of lawns and queues, coastlines and sporting arenas, Ben Fogle takes us on a journey through the peculiarly English: a country of wax jackets, cricket, boat races and jellied eels, by way of national treasures such as the shipping forecast, fish and chips and the Wellington boot. Not to mention the Dunkirk spirit of relentless optimism in the face of adversity, be it the heroic failure of Captain Scott’s doomed Antarctic expedition, or simply the perennial hope for better weather.

The archetypal Englishman – lover of labradors and Land Rovers yet holder of two passports – Ben applauds all things quintessentially English while also paying tribute to the history, culture and ideas adopted with such gusto that they have become part of the fabric of the country. Written with Ben’s trademark warmth and wit, this is a light-hearted yet touching tribute to all things English.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008222284
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/19/2018
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ben Fogle is the quintessential Englishman. An explorer, he loves Marmite and dogs. He owns far too many wax jackets and Wellington boots and he loves to grumble about the weather. He often apologises and can be found at the back of most queues. He had wonky teeth until the dentist sorted them out. He drives an old Land Rover and eats fish and chips. He never travels without some English tea. He lives in London with his wife Marina, his two children Ludo and Iona and his beloved black Labrador, Storm (of course).

Table of Contents

Prologue vii

Introduction: Living Englishly 1

Chapter 1 Whatever The Weather 17

Chapter 2 The Shipping Forecast 39

Chapter 3 Heroic Failures 55

Chapter 4 Strawberries and Cream 67

Chapter 5 Mad Dogs and Englishmen 85

Chapter 6 Wellies, Wax, Barbours and Bowlers 99

Chapter 7 The Silly Season 117

Chapter 8 Oo-Er Missus, It's Lord Buckethead 141

Chapter 9 Raining Cats and Dogs 153

Chapter 10 The Queen's Sandman and Swan Man 175

Chapter 11 I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Queue 189

Chapter 12 Grub 205

Chapter 13 England's Green and Pleasant Lands 223

Chapter 14 The Word 243

Chapter 15 Tea and Sympathy 259

Conclusion 275

Index 285

Acknowledgements 293

Editorial Reviews

‘A pleasant and lyrical read’ Guardian

‘Written with wit and affection, this light-hearted, yet
stirring narrative entertains and inspires with equal measure’ Countryside Magazine

Praise for Ben Fogle:

‘Funny, entertaining and really rather inspiring, too’ Daily Mail

'A great escapade told with refreshing frankness' Independent on Sunday

‘Passionate and well-researched’ Tatler

‘Fogle's typical adventure-style storytelling keeps the narrative light and entertaining’ Independent

From the Publisher