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The Book of Trespass
- Crossing the Lines That Divide Us
- Narrated by: Nick Hayes
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
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The Book of Trespass
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Summary
Bloomsbury presents The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes, read by Nick Hayes.
The vast majority of our country is entirely unknown to us because we are banned from setting foot on it. By law of trespass, we are excluded from 92 per cent of the land and 97 per cent of its waterways, blocked by walls whose legitimacy is rarely questioned. But behind them lies a story of enclosure, exploitation and dispossession of public rights whose effects last to this day.
The Book of Trespass takes us on a journey over the walls of England, into the thousands of square miles of rivers, woodland, lakes and meadows that are blocked from public access. By trespassing the land of the media magnates, lords, politicians and private corporations that own England, Nick Hayes argues that the root of social inequality is the uneven distribution of land.
Weaving together the stories of poachers, vagabonds, gypsies, witches, hippies, ravers, ramblers, migrants and protesters, and charting acts of civil disobedience that challenge orthodox power at its heart, The Book of Trespass will transform the way you see the land.
Critic reviews
"What a brilliant, passionate and political book this is.... It tells - through story, exploration, evocation - the history of trespass (and therefore of freedom) in England and beyond, while also making a powerful case for future change. It is bold and brave, as well as beautiful; Hayes' voice is warm, funny, smart and inspiring. The Book of Trespass will make you see landscapes differently." (Robert Macfarlane)
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What listeners say about The Book of Trespass
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Diccon Haynes
- 10-02-21
Fantastic
This book explained my feelings on land rights in are country and although I disagree with it in parts.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris W
- 07-02-22
must read
I found this fascinating in its assertion that so many modern problems stem back to property rights and land ownership. Hayes makes a very strong case. I was getting hugely depressed that England has got such fundamental things upside down but there are practical solutions by the end so if you feel the same keep going!
the sound quality is a bit worse than usual with some background noise but it's really not that common and I presume caused by recording during a pandemic, I wouldn't let complaints about it put you off.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin Alexander
- 08-12-22
Will change your view
Beautifully read, interesting and thought provoking. A wandering journey through England's history, laws and lands
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Plastic
- 19-04-23
Meditations on exclusion
This was an excellent audiobook. The chapter structure works well, and it’s both written & read with obvious passion by the author.
This book goes beyond the mere facts & figures of land ownership in the UK, and touches on the symbolism & history of enclosure and exclusion. When land was originally common, how can any ownership be justified, if taken without consent. The majority of England falls into this category, and it’s clear that hereditary land owners cannot justify their ownership. But we continue with the power & government structures that enable our own suppression. How I long to walk freely across my country. When you take time to notice the areas you are excluded from, it’s horrifying.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Caitlin Walker
- 25-09-22
What a joy and inspiration
My friend Sue recommended this book to me and kept on recommending it until I finally got it. She was absolutely right it’s a fantastic piece of history it’s funny informative and I have loved every minute. It is as well as an entertaining read a court action and I will be finding like-minded land lovers To act with.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A. Harris
- 08-06-21
Tales told by a wise friend around the camp fire
Insightful, Political. Provocative. Personal. Historical. Conversational. Funny. Honest. Inspiring. Upsetting.
To me, this is what love of your country really means.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A. Jones
- 17-01-21
A very important book
Everyone who is interested in the land they live in should read this. It is a fascinating exploration of how land is comodified, and meditation on what access to land means as part of the human condition.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D ODELL
- 07-01-22
The best book I read in 2021
This should be required reading for all MPs. It is undeniably honest and explains how we have lost a vital human right because of our ignorance. Our acquiescence in a power grab which we foolishly defend without examining what is really happening. How the right to simply relate to our land has been taken away and exploited by a small number of our species and how damaging this is to our universal wellbeing. This book doesn’t encourage revolution but it does list all the things we’ve lost and should be trying to restore.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr A V Pymm
- 09-01-22
Get out there and trespass
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book but had been recommended it by a friend. After the first hour is couldn’t see where it might go next but the narrative keep me enthralled with history and anecdotes of Nick’s various adventure through his life and the trespasses undertaken for the book.
Despite Nick’s clear stance that land should not be fenced off for the few but enjoyed by the many, he tackles all the issues with a sensible, respectful and non threatening approach which leave you with an educated understanding of how we got to this point and the arguments for open access.
I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to and learning from Nick and would highly recommend this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Skye Blue
- 19-01-22
The Hwicce Dancers will rise.
One for all of us, as we remember there's more of us than them .
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