The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady: A facsimile reproduction of a 1906 naturalist's diary [Hardcover]

Edith Holden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1977

Product Description A naturalist's delight, and a record-breaking gift book, back in print! In 1906, Edith Holden recorded in words and images the flora and fauna of the British countryside through the changing seasons. For 70 years, her enchanting journal lay undiscovered--until 1977, when it was first published with great success (as any bookseller will recall). Now, it is back in print, ours to treasure once again. All the charm and beauty of the original remains intact in this facsimile, with Holden's carefully handwritten entries: favorite poems, personal thoughts, observations of the wildlife she saw in her native Warwickshire; and remarks on her travels throughout England and Scotland. On every page, her exquisitely rendered paintings--executed with a naturalist's eye for detail and an artist's sensitivity and skill--capture birds perched on branches, their mouths open in song; a tiny shrew mouse, sniffing the air; delicate butterflies and slithering snakes; fluttering leaves; and an array of flowers, from pink foxgloves and trailing roses to yellow water lilies. And, each spellbinding picture reflects her deep love of nature. Surely a beloved classic for a new generation of book buyers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Holt, Rinehart and Winston (January 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030210267
• ISBN-13: 978-0030210266
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful book of nature watercolours, December 3, 2000

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (Hardcover)

This book was a bestseller when it was originally published in the 1970's, and there was a good reason for it. Edith Holden, the artist of this work was a very accomplished watercolorist. This book is filled with her views of the fruits, beauty and wonder of nature. It shows the flowers, birds and insects of the natural world as they appear over a year accompanied by appropriate poems and quotations.

The watercolours are simply breathtaking. The closest thing to this book that I have seen is illuminated manuscripts, but the effect here is quite different.

The publishers have been very wise with publication. You get a page-by-page facimilie in full colour, reproducing the original manuscript. They have not cluttered the book up by reproducing pages and putting their own text next to it.

If you run across a copy of this pick it up and let it take you away to another world.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a special treasure, December 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (Hardcover)

After a doctor's appointment in Houston I dropped by a small privately owned bookstore I thought looked interesting. As the owner and I spoke she said she could tell I would love this book because of my love of gardening,birds and nature--but that obtaining it would be very difficult. I asked them to put me on a search list and a few months later it arrived. The author's drawings and observations as she watches nature are captivating. Edith started this journal in 1906 and it was never shown to anyone until it was discovered on a shelf in an old country home and then published. There is a sweetness and innocence in the writing that's hard to describe. The pages are like a rather like a thick piece of manilla paper and if I had an extra copy of this book I would frame page after page. I purchased it sight unseen and consider it one of my great treasures.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking nature walk, December 2, 2004

By 

Tamra L. Monroe "Highland Heritage" (Vienna, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (Hardcover)

The Country Diary is a book arranged month by month of the writer/artist's nature walks and discoveries. Each month begins with a history of the month, related folk lore, and poetry. There is also wonderful art work that allows you to journey with Ms. Holden on her adventures. Her monthly entries details the world around her and draws you back to the pages of her journal over and over again. I first checked out this book from the library to get my children to begin their own nature journals as part of our homeschooling science class, but I found myself more captivated than even they could ever be. I have checked out her book so many times, that I finally bought my own copy. She has motivated me to sketch in my own journal and to look with new eyes at the natural world around me. In times where one is forced to stay in, you can still journey outside with Ms. Holden's book. Awesome!