The Book of Trespass cover art

The Book of Trespass

Crossing the Lines That Divide Us

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The Book of Trespass

By: Nick Hayes
Narrated by: Nick Hayes
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents The Book of Trespass written and read by Nick Hayes.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A GUARDIAN, I AND SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION 2021

‘Brilliant, passionate and political . . . The Book of Trespass will make you see landscapes differently' Robert Macfarlane

'A remarkable and truly radical work, loaded with resonant truths' George Monbiot

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 protestors, 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.

©2020 Nick Hayes (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Law Social Classes & Economic Disparity Sociology Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Inspiring Witchcraft

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All stars
Most relevant
What a wonderful and important book that tells the true story behind hiking and wild camping. The historical narrative of trespass being a deliberate and implicit act of working class rebellion should be taught in schools. Plus the counter narrative that the real trespass is that of wealth of common freedoms was fascinating. The little that I knew made this a must read to fill in the gaps, however this was an encyclopaedia of knowledge. I’d especially never considered the countryside being predominantly white in both population and narrative was down to the imperial nature of land ownership and that there is a class and race struggle at the heart of that (it seems so obvious). I hope this book springs forth a thousand hikers, each with a little trespass in their heart! Thank you Nick Hayes for taking us on your journey!

The Anarchist’s Camp-book?!

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This really was a good listen, the history was interesting and added lots I was unaware of but why do authors think they should read their books, the noises behind, the awful pronunciation of words, he wrote them yet can't say them correctly, this was a real shame!

Great story, terrible pronunciation.

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Yes!
I think I will listen to this book more than once. So well put together and researched. Thanks Nick.

A piper of a book

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What a gem, Nick is a superb force for good...
Well read and really engaging

Superb

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A fascinating and eye-opening book. Dripping with quotes and references, it is a real treasure trove of information.
Beautifully woven around character-entitled chapters, with a deliberate repetition of challenge to the (daft) concept of exclusive property ownership.
This book stirred me and set my fire ablaze again.
I am reminded of the Native American wisdom that no-one can own the air. Why do we allow ourselves to be hoodwinked by a system that allows people to claim they own the water or land!

Seminal, awesome

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