A Hundred Years of the Guardian Country Diary
Edited by Martin Wainwright
One of the best sellers of 2005/06 was A Lifetime of Mountains, the best of A. Harry Griffin’s Country Diaries that were published in the Guardian over a record-breaking 50 year period.
This autumn Martin Wainwright has published a second collection, A Gleaming Landscape, that brings together a selection of the very best of the Country Diaries. If the Harry Griffin book was for those that love the high fells then this second collection is for anyone who loves the outdoors. There are contributions here from each of the 104 years of diary. Some are from Scotland and the high mountains, while others are from the more gentle English landscapes.
It’s difficult to describe just how good this book is. It was an absolute joy to read. Because it is a collection of Country Diaries it is easy to dip in and out of.
As with the Griffin Book this collection benefits from Martin Wainwright’s own writing. And in many ways this book is an alternative history of the Guardian newspaper.
There have been many fascinating people who have written for the diary, and this collection includes most of them. The contemporary pieces are particularly welcome as it is very clear that the Country Diary will have no problems lasting for another 100 years.
This is a lovely book. Treat yourself for Christmas!
Last week I was lucky enough to interview Martin Wainwright for a forthcoming Outdoors Channel Podcast. Actually, the interview is split in two – one on Harry Griffin and the other on the Country Diary. Great to listen to. Keep an eye on iTunes.
Any idea when they casts are due Andy?
There’s a bit of a backlog at the moment as a result of BT loosing Bob his broadband connection for several weeks. But I hope they’re around soon-ish. I’ll keep you posted.