The Barn

By Sally Coulthard

A review on the cover of The Barn calls it 'micro history' and it is - a delightful history of one barn in the Yorkshire Dales - but it's also a macro history of society and policy in England. I enjoy non-fiction books that address macro history in reference to an element of micro history because it makes the macro changes easier to understand and remember. Like A History of the World According to Sheep, The Barn is very matter of fact, although The Barn has more connection and emotion from the author, which I liked. It's a collection of topics run together, which works very well and keeps the book interesting. My only gripe was Coulthard not including a photo or drawing of the barn - a travesty given what an interesting picture she paints of this slice of history. A lovely book, and I Coulthard is firmly on the list of authors whose books I'll buy no matter the topic.