Bosun11 537 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 I've just finished reading this book, for the 'umpteenth' time. I really don't have a clue as to how many times i've read it but it was bought, back in the 80's and I always re-read books I enjoy but this one has escaped me for many years. My 3 year old daughter has a bit of a fascination with its cover, as it shows a old print of a 'Keeper', Warrener or Poacher (??) with his two dogs, a Terrier, of Russell type, a Collie type and a few caught rabbits. The Terrier looks like a little dog down the road and so she pulls it from the bookshelf constantly to look at 'Patch' and that is how I came to thumb through it again. It's not a first edition, only a paperback and after a Google search I can't find any other cover like it. Those first editions do look good but I'll stick to the one I bought all those years ago. The book follows Norman Mursell, a Gamekeeper and his life on the Eaton estate, home to the Dukes of Westminster and is for-worded by the current Duke. It moves through from a child leaving home on the Isle of Wight, to take up service on the estate in Cheshire and follows his career through to becoming Head Keeper and eventual retirement after 50 years service. The book is, in my opinion a cracking read, not just for those with an interest in Gamekeeping (from either side of the fence!) but a great account of class and wealth in the last century. A fascinating account of the Dukes of Westminster and the scale of what was involved with the running of an estate and the shoots of such size, especially between the great wars and although Mursell's opinions of all things hunting may not be to everyone's taste, his views are easily forgiven by me, as we now live in the world he had the foresight about! He paints a great picture of the Cheshire countryside and mentions many places that can be seen and visited today and although we can appreciate counties like Cheshire for its beauty, from reading books of this type it really is a shadow of its former self!! So it's Amazon for me next, Mursell, I have found out has written five books in total, so I better get busy with Paypal. In a current world of books about the countryside now, take a trip back in time, pick up a copy and enjoy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
low plains drifter 10,404 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 I remember getting about half way through this book before it was due back to the library,that was 20 years ago now,and i'm still keen to read the rest,i've read a lot of other books since then,but from what i can remember that was as good as any,another very good read is the story of frank cullum Both sides of the fence about a poacher turned gamekeeper,not sure if still available,but worth a look,bought mine years ago,probably from tideline books Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 I'd try an get a copy LPD, as good a country read as you'll get. Forgot to add to the original post, that this would be well worth a read for anyone living in that area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
low plains drifter 10,404 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 think I will do Bosun11, I see there is a 1996 edition on sale,another good book for anyone interested in coursing is The king of the poachers by j connell published in 1901,no saluki hybrids back in them days,but they still got a few for the pot Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 think I will do Bosun11, I see there is a 1996 edition on sale,another good book for anyone interested in coursing is The king of the poachers by j connell published in 1901,no saluki hybrids back in them days,but they still got a few for the pot Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Borderscot has just read this book an pm'd me to say that he enjoyed it, good stuff, makes writing the review well worth while. Did you sort a copy LPD? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BORDERSCOT 3,816 Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Borderscot has just read this book an pm'd me to say that he enjoyed it, good stuff, makes writing the review well worth while. Did you sort a copy LPD? This is well worth reading - thanks for the review... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
L.mursell 8 Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Norman Mursell was my grandad! A great man who lived a great life 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Just picked up a copy of this book for 61 pence £2.71 P&P Looking forward to reading it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I've just finished reading this book, for the 'umpteenth' time. I really don't have a clue as to how many times i've read it but it was bought, back in the 80's and I always re-read books I enjoy but this one has escaped me for many years. My 3 year old daughter has a bit of a fascination with its cover, as it shows a old print of a 'Keeper', Warrener or Poacher (??) with his two dogs, a Terrier, of Russell type, a Collie type and a few caught rabbits. The Terrier looks like a little dog down the road and so she pulls it from the bookshelf constantly to look at 'Patch' and that is how I came to thumb through it again. It's not a first edition, only a paperback and after a Google search I can't find any other cover like it. Those first editions do look good but I'll stick to the one I bought all those years ago. The book follows Norman Mursell, a Gamekeeper and his life on the Eaton estate, home to the Dukes of Westminster and is for-worded by the current Duke. It moves through from a child leaving home on the Isle of Wight, to take up service on the estate in Cheshire and follows his career through to becoming Head Keeper and eventual retirement after 50 years service. The book is, in my opinion a cracking read, not just for those with an interest in Gamekeeping (from either side of the fence!) but a great account of class and wealth in the last century. A fascinating account of the Dukes of Westminster and the scale of what was involved with the running of an estate and the shoots of such size, especially between the great wars and although Mursell's opinions of all things hunting may not be to everyone's taste, his views are easily forgiven by me, as we now live in the world he had the foresight about! He paints a great picture of the Cheshire countryside and mentions many places that can be seen and visited today and although we can appreciate counties like Cheshire for its beauty, from reading books of this type it really is a shadow of its former self!! So it's Amazon for me next, Mursell, I have found out has written five books in total, so I better get busy with Paypal. In a current world of books about the countryside now, take a trip back in time, pick up a copy and enjoy! Have a look on abe books if you have not already done so. There are quite a few copies of Forgotten skills country crafts remembered, Green and pleasant land a countryman remembers, Running a successful rough shoot prices vary from 60 odd pence to £17.00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted June 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Cheers Darbo I will. I've got a copy of Green And Pleasant Land, bought it not long after I wrote this review. I should have written another review because it's as good a read as Come Dawn, if not better. I'd urge anyone with an interest in all things countryside past to buy either and drift back.... Oh and how good is it that L.Mursell has done a Google search and found the site.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Cheers Darbo I will. I've got a copy of Green And Pleasant Land, bought it not long after I wrote this review. I should have written another review because it's as good a read as Come Dawn, if not better. I'd urge anyone with an interest in all things countryside past to buy either and drift back.... Oh and how good is it that L.Mursell has done a Google search and found the site.... just ordered green and pleasant land, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 Cheers Darbo I will. I've got a copy of Green And Pleasant Land, bought it not long after I wrote this review. I should have written another review because it's as good a read as Come Dawn, if not better. I'd urge anyone with an interest in all things countryside past to buy either and drift back.... Oh and how good is it that L.Mursell has done a Google search and found the site.... just ordered green and pleasant land, Read come dawn come dusk and a green and pleasant land both cracking reads now half way through forgotten skills and country crafts remembered glad i looked at this thread. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eddie3 9 Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 just read this it is a excellent read, well worth a look. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bosun11 537 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Just thought i'd put this thred back out there and see if anyone else has read a Mursell book? Also, Astanley has been good enough to loan me the Tovey book, The Last English Poachers (thank you Alex). First couple of chapters in it reads well, could be a good 'un this... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.