Aaahhhh...bonnie Galloway! Young farmer and conservationist Patrick Laurie writes about his life on a working farm. He and his wife saved up to buy a family farm and couldn't wait to purchase their first Galloway heifer followed by pigs. Thanks to farmers like him heritage livestock breeds are making a resurgence! He realistically details the tremendous positives and pitfalls of farm life from freedom, great health and beautiful scenery to sad animal deaths and isolation. We all have personal issues no matter where we live and Laurie details his challenges. His book is divided into seasonal/monthly sections.

Amongst the things I like best about Laurie's writing are his frankness and gorgeous descriptions. His conversational style is truly lovely and his passion sings in his words. Though not all the anecdotes are joyful, they are hopeful and inspirational. I have always respected farmers, especially those who choose to make a difference for their families on smaller sustainable farms.

Along with grain and livestock farming, Laurie writes about weather, farm dangers, Dalbeattie granite, (de)forestation, foxes, yorlins, wild Galloway cattle herds and haying. His passion is observing curlews. As I grew up on a farm so much is relatable. Our weather is extreme (from -40 to +35C) with snow on the ground for six months a year. so I understand weather challenges. I am also familiar with Galloway including Dalbeattie so can easily picture the topography and immerse myself in the words.

Those who have lived off the land and/or on a farm or simply enjoy dreaming about it, this book should not be missed.

My sincere thank you to Catapult and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating and enriching book.

An extremely moving and lyrical memoir of working the land and being worked by it in return. Patrick Laurie details his trials of starting up a farm with a back-to-basics approach and his thoughts on Galloway's rapidly diminishing wildlife diversity amidst the push for commercial forests in Scotland. Laurie focuses on the curlew throughout, a bird ubiquitous during his childhood but in whose dwindling numbers he finds symbolism for the entire region. Amidst the hard work and despair for the land, Laurie's ability to see and detail small wonders in his nature writing is a gift: fog over the moors, little rain showers, and the simple joys of working with his hands.

Features an introduction from Nick Offerman as well, which as always is its own treat.

**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Catapult, Counterpoint Press, and Soft Skull Press**

Galloway by Patrick Laurie is a beautifully ,lyrically written about his life on the farm.Galloway his families heritage a farm he is working to bring alive.He shares his daily existence the hard work it takes to run a farm.We meet his animals their survival helping the farm to thrive..He shares the fertility struggles he and his wife are enduring.I will be recommending and gifting Galloway.#netgalley #Galloway

Galloway: Life in a Vanishing Landscape by Patrick Laurie is a stunning book that is part memoir part nature journal that really took me, and enveloped me, to a stunning location in Southwest area of Scotland.

This was such a unique, memorable, and wonderful journey that I feel so fortunate to have been able to be a part of. The author’s ability to transcend time and location and deposit me directly into the rustic and rural landscapes of his farm and life is beyond impressive. His descriptions of his professional and personal life, struggles, history, hopes, dreams, fears and day to day happenings was so beautiful.

Not only did I learn so much more about the Galloway cattle, but also what it takes to survive and thrive in this challenging profession. I was also able to see the rewards that are so duly given with all the effort and work involved.

The author balanced that nicely with natural observations, personal reflections and inclusions, so that I really felt as if I was there and included.

He has a real talent, and quite a way with words.

I highly recommend this to anyone that loves to read about nature, history, farming, and memoirs and Scotland in general.

A truly stunning read.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Counterpoint for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/16/21.