Reviews

Imperial Mud: The Fight for the Fens by James Boyce

booktwitcher23's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

lucyreading's review

informative fast-paced

5.0

charlielovesbooks's review

informative sad medium-paced

5.0

ambernh's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

Boyce vividly captures the history of the East Anglian fens, whose ever-changing landscape gave rise to the independent but accomodating Fennish who managed the land with great care, thrift and community organisation. The transition of the fens from a seemingly peaceful land with well-distributed natural riches to a battleground, with the Fennish steadfastedly rebelling against drainage and enclosure, was captivating to follow. 

Although much of the book invetably focusses on what has been lost, the centuries-long fight of the Fennish for their land and way of life speaks to awaken the 'commoner' in all of us as we face the challenge of climate change. 

It was great to learn more about East Anglian history! I won't be able to look at wind pumps the same way again. 

alexclare's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

 A very personal style of historical review, with the author's own heritage and views coming through strongly. Interesting points of comparison I hadn't considered before. 

stephend81d5's review against another edition

4.0

thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a free copy in return for an open and honest review

This book is very informative and interesting as used the fens as though it was a foreign or native land and the use of drainage and colonisation of the fens by outsiders in an imperial way