Ruth Binney

GARDENING: PLANTS. Trying to understand the wonders and mysteries of the natural world has been a human preoccupation since the earliest times. It is therefore hardly surprising that from all corners of the globe a wealth of stories, myths and legends about plants has been passed down to us, gathered together in this fascinating volume.

The Wisdom and Wonder of Plants and Flowers Revealed

Plant Lore and Legend

Amazing & Extraordinary Facts

PLACES & PEOPLES: GENERAL INTEREST. "Amazing & Extraordinary Facts about the English Countryside" explores the flora and fauna, customs and traditions that give the English countryside its unique charm and special identity. From the standing stones and carvings of our ancestors to the modern farming methods and woodland management of today, discover hundreds of fascinating facts about rural England. Brief, accessible and entertaining pieces on a wide variety of subjects makes it the perfect book to dip in to. The amazing and extraordinary facts series presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.

Amazing and Extraordinary Facts about the English Countryside

A fascinating collection of animal and plant truths, tales, and traditions from the author of Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Royal Family Life. Trying to understand the ways of the natural world has been a human preoccupation since the earliest times. The knowledge of which animals were helpful and which were dangerous, which plants had the power to heal and soothe and which to harm and kill was of obvious importance, not only to learn, but to remember and pass on. It is therefore hardly surprising that from all corners of the earth, a wealth of stories, signs, symbols, myths and legends about animals and plants have been passed down to us. There are sound principles in some of the traditional advice, wisdom in many of the stories and observations of nature, but there are also highly fanciful superstitions, tall stories and amusing anecdotes. Ruth Binney has collected them all into this entertaining and fascinating volume. There are intriguing tales of everything from mythical monsters and magical plants to domestic pets and humble weeds, as well as generations of advice, both sound and dubious, from age-old country remedies to predicting the weather through the observation of nature. “Whether read from cover to cover in one sitting or dipped into from time to time, there is plenty here to entertain.” —Blackmore Vale Magazine “This is the sort of book that you dip into merely intending to linger for a few minutes, only to find yourself staying for an hour.” —Dorset Magazine

Lore, Legend, Fact and Fiction

Nature's Ways

A fascinating compilation of accumulated wisdom, from health tips and kitchen tricks to gardening know-how, this splendid hardcover volume examines the truth behind many proverbs and old wives' tales.

Traditional Advice and Old Country Ways

A Word to the Wise

If you've ever wondered whether carrots improve your vision (they do) and why elephants have great memories, consult A Word to the Wise. You'll discover that it's never too late to learn from a proverb or an old wives' tale. This captivating book is a fascinating compilation of age-old expressions and customs, and its insights cover everything from health tips and kitchen tricks to gardening know-how and hints for predicting the weather. Folklorist Ruth Binney explains the truth behind such traditions as polishing windows with newspaper and blowing out birthday candles in a single breath. She also discusses whether classic adages are still relevant or, like eating oysters only in "R" months, their truths have faded with the passage of time. This charmingly illustrated volume of enduring wisdom makes a splendid keepsake as well as a fine gift.

An enthralling book that not only satisfies our fascination for lost wisdom of our ancestors but also indulges the British obsession with the weather. Probably the best known country saying of them all is 'red sky at night, shepherd's delight'. Wise Words and Country Ways Weather Lore presents us with dozens more similar, but largely now forgotten, words of wisdom that are imbued with a centuries-old understanding of the patterns of British weather, seasonal changes and the behavior of plants and animals around us. It has highly relevant content for an age where we all feel we have lost touch with the patterns of nature.

Wise Words and Country Ways Weather Lore

"The Origins of Everyday Things" traces the evolution of customs, manners, and commonplace objects through the twists and turns of time to uncover their history-making roots.

The Origins of Everyday Things

What makes owls wise and foxes sly? How did the lion become the king of beasts, and why do serpents symbolize evil? This survey of legends, folk tales, myths, and superstitions chronicles the human fascination with the animal kingdom. Assembled by a noted naturalist, Ruth Binney, this charmingly illustrated collection abounds in animal lore from around the world and throughout history. Binney provides captivating examples of attempts to explain nature's wonders and mysteries with animal-related proverbs and folk wisdom. She explores the historic associations of wild and domestic animals with kindling romance, bringing good and bad luck, and fostering improved health, as well as their roles in forecasting weather and serving as omens of everything from sudden wealth to imminent death. A gallery of mythical figures features dragons, werewolves, mermaids, and other creatures with supernatural powers. Brimming with enchantment, this compilation of folkloric traditions will delight animal lovers of every stripe!

Ruth Binney

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