A bit of blackthorn knowledge.
3 stars
The edition I have just read is the first edition, so may differ from the re-print. John provides a personal account of his passion for Blackthorn, and his practical insight into choosing, and shaping walking sticks. There is also a short account of making pipe racks. The book concludes with a tiny section of lore, mostly it focusses on scenic anecdotes where John goes looking for blackthorn patches and hedgerows. It is well written, and John doesn't profess complete botanical knowledge about his subject, it is written from the perspective of a keen hobbyist who wants to share his knowledge with others, blackthorn addicts, and anyone else with an interest in trees and cane making.