The Backbone of England

As well as a celebration of an exceptional area of countryside, this quietly moving and impressive book examines all aspects of the area's history, including wildlife, ecology, geology and culture. A serious and thorough study, it is particularly good on the problems facing the region, and makes a good case for protecting the upland peat bogs. Anyone with an interest in this part of England should read this book. - Sunday Telegraph

Bibby's skilful telling of the every aspect of the Pennines and the simple aspect of the journey, make this the most entertainingly informative outdoor book I've read for a few years. Highly recommended. - TGO: The Great Outdoors

If you are serious about your landscape photography, you'll need to be equally serious about walking to appreciate this book. Andrew travels from Edale in Derbyshire as far as Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Close by his side is British photographer John Morrison, who has captured the beauty of the Pennines perfectly. pack this tome in your rucksack, make sure you have enough food and memory cards for a few weeks, and then enjoy. - Amateur Photographer

Forty years ago I walked the Pennine Way from the Dark Peak to the Cheviots, and found solace and inspiration in the fragile peat-covered landscape of these wide sweeping moorlands. In this wonderful book Andrew Bibby does something more. He not only helps us to savour the Pennine landscape; he helps us to understand it, and he urges us to cherish it. He shows us how this land was formed, what has happened and is happening to it, and - in a thoroughly un-preachy kind of way - why it matters. This is a book of enjoyment and of revelation. - Chris Smith, Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, President of the Ramblers' Association and former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport