A Short History of the World According to Sheep, by Sally Coulthard is a gem of a book for anyone interested in sheep or history. Filled with fascinating facts and anecdotes, the author traces the impact that sheep - in all their many guises - have had on shaping and influencing the way we live, both in ancient times and right up to the modern day. Going back 10,000 years, we start in the Neolithic period where our ancestors began to gather and rear sheep - both for food and clothing. We then move through the millennia, finding out about the Roman's fireproof underpants, lactose intolerance, the world's oldest socks, extra soft loo roll, black sheep, wool churches, fishermen's jumpers and so much more. We move from the plains of Mesopotamia, to the rolling hills of Medieval England and right up to date with the vast sheep farms of Australia. Sheep have been a source of power and wealth over the centuries, as well as keeping us warm, but in the 21st century, what does the future hold for these domesticated ungulates? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which has been meticulously researched and is written in an easy-to-read style that invites you to keep on going for just one more fact to amaze your nearest and dearest with. There will be a good few times when the phrase ... well, I didn't know that ... will spring into your mind as you consume page after page. I was sad when it ended and can definitely see myself returning to this book again in the future. I will also be looking out for more books by Sally Coulthard, as her writing is engaging and her subject matter is very much in my wheelhouse. Go sheep!
My STAR rating: FIVE.
Length: 320 print pages.
Price I paid: free, was a present.
Formats available: print, unabridged audio download, ebook.
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