Ranging from the tough times of Edwardian England to the relative comforts of today, this book describes the colourful and eventful lives of 13 humble countrymen. From farm labourer to mole-catcher and from beekeeper to hurdle-maker, their tales represent the experiences of hardworking country folk and reflect the enormous changes in rural life this century. There are also extracts from earlier writings which offer insights into the countryman's life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The author's other books include Tales of the Old Gamekeepers and Sporting Birds of the British Isles, which won the Prix Litteraire of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation in 1986.