The history of the countryside

Published in 1986, The History of the Countryside is a comprehensive study of the British landscape spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era.

The work combines historical research, botanical knowledge, and archaeological evidence to reconstruct and explain the development of the English countryside.

Rackham examines various landscape elements including woodlands, hedgerows, marshes, and coastal areas, while challenging conventional wisdom about historical land use and forest management.

The book won the Angel Literary Award, the Sir Peter Kent Conservation Prize, and the Natural World Book of the Year Award in 1986.