British Goats, Paperback

Description

A lively, engaging introduction to the history of goats in Britain, and the recent renaissance of goat-related products.

Ever wondered why a goat's eyes have rectangular pupils? Or what happened to Thor's goats after they finished pulling his thunderous chariot? Is goat milk and meat a more ethical food choice, and if so, can these industries play an important role in the future of mankind? How about making your own goat's cheese or handspun mohair jumper? Whether you're an aspiring smallholder, cheese fanatic or simply want to know more about our caprine companions, this guide will take you through the fascinating history of goatkeeping in Britain and shed light on one of our most intelligent, curious and mischievous domestic animals. With an increasing demand for goat produce and around 16 different breeds in Britain, explore the cultural rise of goatkeeping from the Stone Age through to the modern day.

Tiffany Francis is a nature writer and artist from the South Downs, Hampshire with a Masters in English Literature from University College London. Before going freelance, she worked as Creative Developer and goatkeeper at Butser Ancient Farm, an experimental archaeology site with rare breed animals and Stone Age to Saxon buildings, where she developed an interest in the history of goats, won rosettes at the Rare Breeds Show in Singleton, and learnt to milk by hand and make cheese and soap. She was also a committee member for the English Goat Breeders' Association, and in December 2017 she appeared with her goats on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas on Channel 4. Her first book Food You Can Forage was published by Bloomsbury in March 2018, and her next book Dark Skies is due in Autumn 2019, all about exploring the landscape at night. She has written for The Guardian, BBC Radio 4, Woodland Trust, Current Archaeology and a number of other publications, including two articles on goats for Countryfile magazine and The Countryman, both due to be published in the next few months. www.tiffanyimogen.com