Coulthard Sally. A Short History of the World According to Sheep

Anima, 2020. — 320 p.An addictively free-ranging survey of the massive impact that the domesticated ungulates of the genus Ovis have had on human history.From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the rolling hills of medieval England to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story.Starting with our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 10,000 years ago, these remarkable animals have fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and languages, helped us to win wars, decorated our homes, and financed the conquest of large swathes of the earth. Enormous fortunes and new, society-changing industries have been made from the fleeces of sheep, and cities shaped by shepherds' markets and meat trading.Sally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a vivid and colourful tapestry, thickly threaded with engaging anecdotes and remarkable ovine facts, whose multiple strands reflect the deep penetration of these woolly animals into every aspect of human society and culture.Best-selling author Sally Coulthard has spent the last twenty years designing, building, planting and writing about homes, craft and outdoor spaces. Keen to make good design accessible, she’s written over twenty books about restoring houses, designing interiors and creating outdoor spaces. From garden styles to designing with salvage, creating workspaces to building sheds, Sally’s books inspire, encourage and equip readers to take on projects of their own. Sally is also a passionate advocate of rural living and regularly writes about nature and her experiences of smallholding deep in North Yorkshire countryside. She currently writes the "Good Life in the Country" column for Country Living magazine.