A Cheesemonger's History of The British Isles (eBook)

The book is a treasure trove of amusing asides and anecdotes, such as the one about the 17th-century Welsh justice of the peace who assessed a defendant's guilt by his ability to swallow "enchanted" cheese.

Palmer is both a cheesemonger and a cheese historian - encyclopedic, forensic and geekily obsessed with the stuff. He writes in a jolly patter: warm, wry and deliciously digressive.

Palmer's writing is loquacious; it is as if he has leant across the counter to regale you with tales of when he was a 'younger monger'. His history is an utter delight, rousing, infectiously impassioned and inspiring of pride

Part history, part travelogue and part tasting menu ... an utter delight, rousing, infectiously impassioned and inspiring

Palmer writes with pace and passion, and his encounters with modern-day practitioners fizz with infectious delight ... Full of flavour

One of the best cookery books to get you through lockdown... fab

A delightful and informative romp through centuries of British cheesemaking ... it would make a fine Christmas present, along with a wedge of Sparkenhoe red leicester'

As an author of historical fiction, I was impressed by Ned's command of history but also delighted by his light, fluid and professional writing style - which was, in turn, funny, fascinating, and sometimes even profound. From Medieval monastic cheese-making to the horrors of the Milk Marketing Board, Ned charts a gripping and often mouth-watering course through the culture behind bacterial cultures. He has the true food-writer's gift of inspiring wild cravings in the reader. Reading late into the night, I constantly had to fight the urge to raid the cheese box in the fridge. Not always successfully. This book is a triumphant paean to the fine art of cheese-making, past and present, and a must-buy for anyone who appreciates good food - and good history. A truly cheese-mongous achievement!

Ripe with fascinating facts and anecdotes

A beautifully textured tour around the cheeseboard.

A fabulous, fascinating Cheese Odyssey.Following the history of cheese from its neolithic beginnings right up to the modern day, Ned takes you on an entrancing journey through cheese and British history itself, meeting dozens of dedicated cheesemaker's along the way. Ned Palmer is a erudite, charming guide to all things cheese - and his book will make you want to eat nothing but cheese all day long.