As I have an interest in " fell walking, the Lake District, stones and water " . . .

this book was immediately relevant to me, so when I came by a copy recently it was quickly promoted to top of the pile and read cover to cover. Quickly it became clear that Peter was master of his subject as his knowledge of geography, geology and landforms shone through on every page.

As a geography student in school I used to enjoy the concepts of moraines, glaciation, rivers and erosion and all the aspects of the living landscape that went to make up the countryside. Here in this book I was taken another step forward, another level deeper into what formed the landscape, how it has been molded by the passage of time and why this shape or that hollow was formed in the way it was.

It all makes sense and with Peter's pictures matching the ones I find myself taking for the web site, the relevance of this book to fell walkers and lovers of the countryside becoming clearer with every page and every chapter. Recent floods, landslides and talk of climate change are the subject of many current conversations and all covered in this interesting book.

It can be read by youngsters at school equally as well as by students at college. It will satisfy the curiosity of those who walk the fells and works as an armchair read for those who, for one reason or another, cannot get out there themselves. I was amazed how many of the pictures were recognisable from our walks around the area in which we now live. In each picture, Peter manages to introduce some new information so that next time we go out we see the fells afresh and with renewed understanding.

Was I disappointed in anything ?

Well he has altered my concept of drumlins. I thought these were those small hilly deposits on the ground at Black Sail at the head of Ennerdale or behind Lining Crag in Langstrath ... these are undulating moraine apparently . . . drumlins are a lot bigger.

I missed any further insight into my favourite "Roches Moutonnée" as this was a stalwart of my exam era . . . but I finished the book with a greater understanding of the landscape of Cumbria and with fresh encouragement to look at familiar landscape with new found understanding.

Whether you want to read it for yourself or buy it for someone who loves the Lakes then you'll not be disappointed.

Go on . . . treat yourself !

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Peter's book should be available from your usual bookshop or can be ordered from

Booksource, 50 Cambuslang Road, Glasgow G32 8NB (please enclose cheque)

or by phoning them on 0845 370 0067 during normal office hours (credit/debit cards accepted)

Price £20 (plus £2.95 p&p)

Also available from Bookends in Keswick, Holdsworth’s Ambleside, and Read’s in Grasmere,

the usual Waterstones, and Cordee web sites,

and all good outdoor bookshops, especially this one (click the logo)

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Technical note: Above pictures scanned from the Lake District Mountain Landforms book.

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