Books published by publisher Read Country Book

This vintage book contains a treatise on a variety of ancient projective weapons, with a special focus on Greek and Roman Catapults and Balistas. With fascinating historical information and complete descriptions of the various weapons discussed, this volume will appeal to those with an interest in historical ballistic weaponry. Contents include: "The Catapult and Balista", "The Turkish Composite Bow", "The Turkish Bow. Construction ad Dimension", "The Bow-String", "The Arrow", "The Method of Stringing a Turkish, Persian or Indian Bow", "The Horne Groove", "The Thumb-Ring", "Composite Bows of Various Oriental Nations", et cetera. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition complete with an introductory essay on History of Archery by Horace A. Ford.

"The Beetle and Butterfly Collection" is a classic guide to collecting, arranging, and preserving various insects at home. Written with the amateur in mind, it contains simple, step-by-step instructions that will prove invaluable to anyone with an interest in insect collecting and preservation. Contents include: "Setting-Out and Maintaining Beatles and Butterflies", "The Parts of a Beetle", "The Classification", "Lepidoptera, or Butterflies and Moths", "Classification of Butterflies", "The Lepidarium", "The Outline Sketch of the Insect Orders", etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in a new, affordable, modern edition complete with the original text and artwork.

"The Insectarium" is a vintage guide to setting up and maintaining an insectarium, originally written for entomologists and naturalists. An insectarium is an artificial habitat for insects where they can be displayed and studied. They usually contain a variety of insects and similar arthropods, such as spiders, beetles, cockroaches, ants, bees, millipedes, centipedes, crickets, grasshoppers, etc. This volume contains practical tips on creating and maintaining one, as well as information on where and how insects can be captured. Contents include: "The Capture of Insects", "Beetles", "Butterflies and Moths", "Insectarium", "Origin of the Insectarium", "How an Insectarium should be Constructed and Regulated", "Caterpillar Breeding in the Insectarium", "How to Preserve Butterflies in the Insectarium", "Ichneumon Parasites", etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in a new, affordable, modern edition complete with the original text and artwork.

This antiquarian volume contains John Muir’s 1911 travel book, "My First Summer in the Sierra". After the American Civil War, John Muir assembled a group of shepherds to drive a large flock of sheep to Yosemite National Park. In 1911 he published this account of the experience, which would encourage many people to visit the Yosemite region and become a seminal piece of environmentalist literature. The contents include: “Through the Foothills with a Flock of Sheep”, “In Camp on the North Fork of the Merced”, “A Bread Famine”, “To the High Mountains”, “The Yosemite”, “Mount Hoffman and Lake Tenaya”, “A Strange Experience”, “The Mono Trail”, etcetera. John Muir (1838 - 1914), was a Scottish-American writer, naturalist, and pioneering advocate of American wilderness preservation. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition - complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

PONIES PAST AND PRESENT - THE BREEDS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. By Sir Walter Gilbey, Bart. Originally published in 1900, this rare early work on Native British Ponies is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS has republished it using the original text and illustrations. The author was a respected authority on all equestrian matters and published several important books on the subject as well as contributing numerous articles to the sporting and farming press of that era. This title was the first comprehensive work on British Ponies ever written, and the first to draw attention to their important contribution to polo pony breeding. The book consists of one hundred and thirty six pages, including eight full page plates. A lengthy introduction takes the reader through some of the early history, origins, and laws relating to the pony breeds. This is followed by eight Detailed chapters: The New Forest Pony. The Welsh Pony. The Exmoor and Dartmoor Ponies. The Cumberland and Westmoreland Ponies. Ireland The Connemara Pony. The Ponies of Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Uses and Characteristics of the Pony. Breeding Polo Ponies. This is a fascinating read for any pony enthusiast or historian of the breeds, and also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest equestrian books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This book is the complete poetical works of John Keats, together with a collection of his letters. John Keats (1795–1821) was an English poet. He was one of the most celebrated second-generation Romantic poets together with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, despite the fact that he only produced poetry for four years. This fantastic collection constitutes a must-have for serious lovers of poetry, and would make for a worthy addition to any bookshelf. Contents include: “The Life of Keats”, “Endymion: A Poetic Romance”, “Lamia”, “Isabella”, “The Eve of St. Agnes”, “Hyperion”, “Specimen of an Induction to a Poem”, “Caldore: A Fragment”, “To Hope”, “Imitation of Spenser”, “Ode to a Nightingale”, “Ode to a Grecian Urn”, “Ode to Psyche”, “Odes on Melancholy”, etc. Many classic books such as this are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

FULL REVELATIONS OF A PROFESSIONAL RAT-CATCHER AFTER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. By Ike Matthews Originally published in Manchester 1898, this rare early work on rat catching and control is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have now republished it in an affordable, high quality, modern edition, using the original text. Ike Matthews was a well known pest controller in his home town of Manchester over 100 years ago. His services were much in demand by local corporations, railway companies and merchants. This book details his extermination methods acquired over some twenty five years as a full time rat catcher. During this period he not only studied the different and the best methods of catching rats, but also took great interest in their ways and habits. The book's sixty four pages contain ten detailed chapters:- How to Clear Rats from Warehouses, Offices, Store Rooms etc. - Trapping. - Ferreting. - Drugs and Chemicals. - How to Keep and Work Ferrets. - Distemper in Ferrets. - Working Ferrets. - Suitable Dogs. - The Habits and Natural History of Rats. - Life of the Rat Catcher. - Hints on Rabbit Shooting. This is a fascinating read for all with an interest in the countryside and its wildlife. The pest controller and gamekeeper, both amateur and professional, will also find much of the information contained in these pages still useful and practical, even today. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This antiquarian volume contains John Muir’s 1911 travel book, "My First Summer in the Sierra". After the American Civil War, John Muir assembled a group of shepherds to drive a large flock of sheep to Yosemite National Park. In 1911 he published this account of the experience, which would encourage many people to visit the Yosemite region and become a seminal piece of environmentalist literature. The contents include: “Through the Foothills with a Flock of Sheep”, “In Camp on the North Fork of the Merced”, “A Bread Famine”, “To the High Mountains”, “The Yosemite”, “Mount Hoffman and Lake Tenaya”, “A Strange Experience”, “The Mono Trail”, etcetera. John Muir (1838 - 1914), was a Scottish-American writer, naturalist, and pioneering advocate of American wilderness preservation. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition - complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

No1 NEW RELEASE, No1 BESTSELLER (Amazon July 2018). The Magic Sewing Machine is the first in a series of tales for children of all ages WITH FULL COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS. The tale centres around Albert Cade and Sylko, his one-eyed dog. There are three naughty shop mice, Stinker, Squealer and Ragtail and a local terror of a pub cat, Ophelia Dappleheart. They all live in a small corner shop, a tailors come haberdashery in South Street, Eastbourne. Albert is a semi retired tailor with a secret, he has a magic sewing machine. All his work is perfect and every stitch a dream. The machine is called Clackety Clara after the first owner, Great Aunt Clara. Clara was a court dressmaker and made dresses for duchesses and queens. Tales say she even made a dress for a little cleaning maid that became a princess. Some believe it is her magic that is in the noisy old treadle that sits in the shop window of the little shop on the corner of South Street. The books is crammed with wonderful depictions of local Eastbourne characters including the fearsome Lady Iris Pratt, the awful mayor, Arthur Crown, and a group of singing pigeons. This story with enthral readers of all ages with layers of fun and excitement, even a little touch of danger.

This vintage book contains a novella written by R. S. Surtees and first published in 1909. A witty and entertaining story based around fox hunting, "Jorrocks on 'unting" is highly recommended for readers with an interest in the sport, and would make for a fantastic addition to collections of related literature. Illustrated with amusing drawings, this charming book will appeal to those who appreciate rural and sporting humour, and is not to be missed by the discerning collector. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the history of fox hunting.

The Rat Its History amp Destructive Character With Numerous Anecdotes By James Rodwell This book is one of the earliest published works dealing solely with the Rat, its history and natural history, and the numerous methods for its disposal. Its author states "I have studied the Nature, Fecundity, and Devastating Character of the Rat, and I have spared neither the time nor trouble in obtaining all the information within my power." First published in London 1863, the original edition is an extremely rare item. Read Country Books has now re-published it in its entirety from the original text. Its 312 pages contain twenty nine detailed and entertaining chapters:- The Different Kinds of Rats, and their Natural History. - The Unreasonable Fear of Rats. - General Characteristics. - Tame Rats. - Rats Nests. - Dietetics of Rats. - Testimonies of Writers and Naturalists. - Predatory and Destructive Habits of Rats. - Thievish Propensities. - The Destruction and Extirpation of Rats. - Wonderful Tales of Rats. - Courage, Ferocity, and Cunning of Rats. - United Attacks of Rats. - Their Natural Weapons. - Articles Manufactured from Rat Skins. - Rats as Human Food. - Whistling Joe, the Hertfordshire Sermulot Hunter and Ratcatcher. - Miscellaneous Anecdotes. - Universal Prevalence and Destructive Habits. - Fecundity of Rats. - Vermin Killers and Rat Matches. - Sewer Rats and Ratcatchers of London. - Ratcatchers and Best Means. - How Farmers should Extirpate Their Vermin. - Natures Methods. - Ratcatching and Killing with Dogs. - Trapping, and the Various Kinds of Rat Traps. - Poisoning of Rats. - Phosphoric Poisons. - etc. A final lengthy chapter gives some profitable hints on the breeding, feeding, and management of poultry, more especially the Spanish Dorking. This comprehensive and unusual book will appeal to the naturalist, Sportsman, Gamekeeper, and Historian alike. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. Read Country Books are reprinting these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions. These editions are republished using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1896. Contents include; General Preface, Introduction, Dramatis Personae, Julius Caesar, Notes, Appendix A - Outline of Shakespeare's Prosody, Appendix B - Historical Outlines, Glossary, General Index...Introduction; The earliest known edition of Julius Caesar is that of the first folio, 1623, in which the plays were for the first time collected. We have no knowledge of the text on which it was based; but the passages which show distinct signs of corruption are few. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.