The Shepherd’s Life
By: James Rebanks
Have you ever had a friend loan you a book and say, “You have to read this!” That is how I acquired this book “The Shepherd’s Life. The funny thing is, I’ve been following James Rebanks on Twitter/ X for a long time. (@herdyshepherd1) I first fell for his beautiful Herdwick sheep, their wooly charcoal bodies and clean white faces are so distinct.
I have had a few sheep over the years, as did my mother. I have helped lamb a few at times. I have an inkling of a shepherd’s lifestyle. James takes you on the deep dive into that life through each season. His clear description of each glory and gross reveals the real substance of shepherding in the Lake District Fells of England.
Beyond the daily struggles and the sacrifices is the story of a convoluted journey to running the family farm. The teen years of butting heads with his father, the financial burden of new generation, the changing patterns of farming, food, and the economics of agriculture all play in to the roller coaster ride that finally brought James to where he is now.
As the book was drawing to a close reading his book, I realized more and more that James’s passion for the family farm, concerns for the next generation, and the preservation of family farms are strong common threads between us.
This book is on loan so I will be giving it back. Then I am heading to the library to get more of James Rebanks books to read or listen to. I see there is a new one coming, I need to get caught up with all his other fans. James Rebanks has important messages to share. The timeless journey of farm to table. Who provides what you eat? Do you know your farmer? I hope readers will ‘flock’ to James’s book, not because you farm, but because you eat!