You can take the man out of the city, but is the countryside ready for him? Comedian and born and bred townie, Tony Hawks is not afraid of a challenge - or indeed a good bet. He's hitchhiked round Ireland with a fridge and taken on the Moldovan football team at tennis, one by one. Now the time has come for his greatest gamble yet - turning his back on comfortable city life to move to the wilds of the West Country. With his partner Fran in tow and their first child on the way, he embraces the rituals of village life with often absurd and hilarious results, introducing us to an ensemble of eclectic characters along the way. One minute he's taking part in a calamitous tractor run, the next he's chairing a village meeting, but of course he still finds time for one last solo adventure before fatherhood arrives - cycling coast to coast with a mini pig called Titch. In the epic battle of man vs countryside, who will win out?

There are few people better acquainted with the West Country than Johnny Kingdom. His knowledge of local wildlife is second to none, but he's also a fount of knowledge when it comes to all the old stories that get passed down from generation to generation. West Country Tales is a charming collection of these local myths and legends, interwoven with many more anecdotes from Johnny himself and his forbears and friends. The atmospheric West Country landscape lends itself perfectly to dramatic tales of eerie hauntings and ghostly happenings, daring smugglers and dashing highwaymen, and many have heard of - or might even have seen - the modern-day legend that is the Beast of Exmoor. But what about the Flying Fish of Exmoor, a slippery catch of Johnny's that sailed up and over a bridge into the back seat of a passing open-top car, never to be seen again? Gently humorous and wonderfully evocative, it's only a matter of time before some of Johnny's own tales weave their way into West Country lore.

Long confounded with a monolithic British entity or misrepresented as 'Lakers' and 'Cockneys', the diverse regional forms of 'English Romanticism' are ripe for reassessment. Ranging west of a line between the Wye at Tintern and Jane Austen's Chawton, this book offers a first reconfiguration of Romantic culture in terms of English regional identity.

Previous works have concentrated on the 'Pal' in Britain's northern towns and cities. This book seeks to explore the little appreciated part in the Battle of the Somme played by the Regular and Volunteer Service battalions of two small West Country regiments; the Devonshire Regiment and the Dorset Regiment. These two regiments had five battalions in action on the first day of the battle and were represented in most of the significant attacks during the three and half months of the 1916. The reader will be able to form a clear picture of the battle's development as a whole through the eyes of Westcountry soldiers who fought on the Somme.

Within the pages of 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated),' readers are treated to a grand tapestry of Christmas narratives that span a variety of literary styles and epochs. This collection brings together a rich assortment of tales that reflect the diverse ways in which the yuletide season has been celebrated, interpreted, and cherished across different cultures and time periods. Featuring a medley of works from revered authors such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy to less familiar yet equally poignant voices, this anthology bridges the gap between classic and contemporary, highlighting standout pieces that capture the essence of Christmas. The diversity in storytelling, from the magical realism of E. T. A. Hoffmann to the stark realism of Anton Chekhov, eloquently mirrors the multifaceted nature of Christmas itself, making this collection a significant literary treasure. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from various backgrounds, bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to this anthology. Their cumulative oeuvre spans the entirety of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period rich with literary innovation and cultural shifts that influenced how Christmas was perceived and celebrated. Embedded within these narratives are reflections of the changing social, political, and economic climates of their times. This collective work aligns with significant historical and cultural movements, offering readers not just stories, but a window into the worldviews and societal norms of past eras. The varied voices in this collection, from the fervent abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe to the visionary fantasy of L. Frank Baum, collectively enrich our understanding of Christmas as a cultural phenomenon, providing a comprehensive overview of its impact on literature and society. 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated)' is an indispensable anthology for those who wish to explore the myriad ways in which Christmas has been depicted in literature. It invites readers into a world where Christmas is not just a holiday, but a pivotal theme around which narratives of hope, redemption, and transformation revolve. This collection offers a unique opportunity to delve into a multitude of perspectives, styles, and themes, all unified by the spirit of Christmas. It is recommended for scholars, students, and any reader seeking to understand the depth and breadth of Christmas literature through the ages, fostering a dialogue between the traditional and the contemporary, the magical and the mundane. In doing so, it promises to kindle the Christmas spirit in the hearts of its readers, making it a cherished volume for generations to come.

e-artnow presents to you the ultimate Christmas collection with the greatest classics in one meticulously edited ebook for all those who want to keep the spirit of Christmas alive with a heartwarming tale or verse. We have selected the greatest Christmas novels, short stories, fairy tales, legends, carols and poetry dedicated to this most beloved holiday. _x000D_ Content:_x000D_ The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry)_x000D_ The Holy Night (Selma Lagerlöf)_x000D_ A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott)_x000D_ A Letter from Santa Claus (Mark Twain)_x000D_ Silent Night_x000D_ The Night After Christmas_x000D_ The Child Born at Bethlehem_x000D_ The Adoration of the Shepherds_x000D_ The Visit of the Wise Men_x000D_ As Joseph Was A-Walking_x000D_ The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter)_x000D_ Where Love Is, God Is (Leo Tolstoy)_x000D_ The Three Kings (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)_x000D_ A Christmas Carol (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)_x000D_ Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ Christmas At Sea (Robert Louis Stevenson)_x000D_ The Savior Must Have Been A Docile Gentleman (Emily Dickinson)_x000D_ The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Fyodor Dostoevsky)_x000D_ The Little City of Hope (F. Marion Crawford)_x000D_ The First Christmas Of New England (Harriet Beecher Stowe)_x000D_ Christmas in the Olden Time (Walter Scott)_x000D_ Christmas In India (Rudyard Kipling)_x000D_ A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)_x000D_ The Twelve Days of Christmas_x000D_ The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum)_x000D_ Ring Out, Wild Bells (Alfred Lord Tennyson)_x000D_ Little Lord Fauntleroy (Frances Hodgson Burnett)_x000D_ Black Beauty (Anna Sewell)_x000D_ The Christmas Child (Hesba Stretton)_x000D_ Granny's Wonderful Chair (Frances Browne)_x000D_ The Romance of a Christmas Card (Kate Douglas Wiggin)_x000D_ Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)_x000D_ The Wonderful Life - Story of the life and death of our Lord (Hesba Stretton)_x000D_ The Christmas Angel (A. Brown)_x000D_ Christmas at Thompson Hall (Anthony Trollope)_x000D_ Christmas Every Day (William Dean Howells)_x000D_ The Lost Word (Henry van Dyke)_x000D_ The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann)_x000D_ The Little Match Girl_x000D_ The Elves and the Shoemaker_x000D_ Mother Holle_x000D_ The Star Talers_x000D_ Snow-White…

The 'HOLIDAY Ultimate Collection' stands as a monumental anthology, encompassing a vast array of literary styles and themes. From the timeless magic of Dickens' Christmas to the provocative depths of Dostoevsky's existential musings, the collection offers a rich tapestry of holiday narratives that span the gamut of human emotion and experience. It is a compendium that not only celebrates the festive spirit but also explores the profound questions of faith, hope, and redemption that often accompany the season. Highlighting classics such as Shakespeare's poetic finesse and the whimsical tales of Beatrix Potter, this anthology provides readers with a unique exploration of holiday literature through the ages, celebrating both the diversity and the universality of the human condition. The contributing authors of the 'HOLIDAY Ultimate Collection' bring together a remarkable blend of cultural and literary backgrounds, each adding their distinctive voice to the choir of holiday celebrations. The editors have masterfully curated works from luminaries such as Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Yeats, alongside lesser-known yet equally compelling authors like Ewing and Sedgwick. This collective effort bridges various literary movements and historical periods, from the romanticism of Wordsworth to the realism of Twain, offering a panoramic view of the cultural and social dimensions of holiday literature. The anthology not only serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling during festive times but also provides insight into the evolving nature of holiday traditions and reflections across different epochs and geographies. 'HOLIDAY Ultimate Collection' is an indispensable volume for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the rich literary traditions of the holiday season. It invites scholars and enthusiasts alike to traverse the snowy paths of nineteenth-century England, the celebratory fires of medieval Europe, and the serene, starlit nights that have inspired poets and writers for centuries. This collection not only promises a delightful reading experience filled with wonder and nostalgia but also offers a profound educational journey through the history of holiday literature. It beckons readers to embrace the spirit of the season with an open heart and a keen mind, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling and the myriad ways it can illuminate the darkest of winters.