Reading the Landscape: A Shell Book by Richard Muir
First published in 1984, this is a guide to understanding the ways in which the different facets of the English landscape have been created. It aims to give insights into places which might previously have been taken for granted. The author describes the meanings of field patterns, woodlands, fortifications, villages, churches, industrial relics, deserted settlements and the different regional building styles that can be found throughout the country. He also highlights the areas where our heritage is threatened and where conservation is most urgently needed. It is a book for those who want to learn more about the ways in which man and nature have joined forces to create the varied landscapes of England.