The Natural History of Selborne

The Reverend Gilbert White was the curate of the village of Selborne, a village in Hampshire, from 1784 to his death in 1793, living most of his life in the village. The book is in the form of a collection of letters to two friends, discussing the natural history of the areas that he knew, and natural history in general. White's intense curiosity and his love for the world about him flow through his simple, straightforward style, and a gentle sense of humour colours many of his anecdotes. (Summary by Peter) (9 hr 14 min)

Chapters

Introduction	17:57	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 1-6 - Pennant	35:53	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 7-13 - Pennant	41:26	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 14-22 - Pennant	42:30	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 23-31 - Pennant	37:15	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 32-44 - Pennant	49:03	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 1-6 - Barrington	30:58	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 7-15 - Barrington	44:30	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 16-20 - Barrington	40:54	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 21-28 - Barrington	42:31	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 29-38 - Barrington	44:14	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 39-47 - Barrington	46:16	Read by Peter Yearsley
Letters 48-58 - Barrington	41:10	Read by Peter Yearsley
14	40:02	Read by Peter Yearsley

Reviews

Soporific

(4 stars)

Janelle

I've got to admit, this book was better than a sleeping pill. With the narrator's soothing voice and the author's detailed explanation of nature in his small corner of the world, it was very effective at knocking me out. Despite this it was still rather interesting. The author was fascinated by birds and their migration habits. He often posed questions that I longed to answer. He obviously had a very curious mind. Listening to his book was like hearing one half of a conversation. Sometimes I would have liked to hear the letters from his correspondents too. But the book would be much too large.

(4.5 stars)

Omnixeno

Peter Yearsley brings out the warmth in every text he reads, including this fascinating, detailed environmental survey of an eighteenth century English village.

(5 stars)

pamina

Peter Yearsley once again reads an unusual text in a most engaging manner. Importantly, this text shows how our environmental concerns started long ago with notable disappearance of animals and trees. Worth listening to, either to relax and dream of the past or for eco critical studies. Beautiful immersion in nature from which most of us are divorced in our contemporary world. Enjoy. Thank you Peter.

Very enjoyable book