Robert Penn – författare

Robert Penn's It's All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels is a paean to the humble bike; it's the story of why we ride, and why this simple machine holds the power to transport us all.Robert Penn has ridden a bike most days of his life. He rides to get to work, to bathe in air and sunshine, to stay sane and to feel free. This is the story of his love affair with cycling and the journey to build his dream bike; a freewheeling pilgrimage taking him from Californian mountain bike inventors to British artisan frame builders, and from perfect components to the path of true happiness.'A gem of a book ... a joy'Economist'Infectious, exhilarating, highly engaging'Independent'Be swept along by Penn's enthusiasm, humour and refreshing candour'Sunday Telegraph'Enriches your enjoyment of a ride'Sunday Times'As a depiction of a world you might vote for, Penn's does not sound bad at all'ObserverRobert Penn writes for the Financial Times, Observer and Condé Nast Traveller, as well as a host of cycling publications. He is the author of The Wrong Kind of Snow. Robert lives in the Black Mountains, South Wales with his wife and three children and commutes to work across a heather moor on a mountain bike.

An exuberant tale of craftsmanship for nature lovers and rugged outdoor types everywhereRobert Penn cut down an ash tree to see how many things could be made from it. After all, ash is the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. Journeying from Wales across Europe and Ireland to the USA, Robert finds that the ancient skills and knowledge of the properties of ash, developed over millennia making wheels and arrows, furniture and baseball bats, are far from dead. The book chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.

'Charming, important . . . a journey of discovery' TelegraphOver the course of a year, Robert Penn learns how to plant, harvest, thresh and mill his own wheat, in order to bake bread for his family. In returning to this pre-industrial practice, he tells the fascinating story of our relationship with bread: from the domestication of wheat in the Fertile Crescent at the dawn of civilization, to the rise of mass-produced loaves and the resurgence in homebaking today.Gathering knowledge and wisdom from experts around the world - farmers on the banks of the Nile, harvesters in the American Midwest and Parisian boulangers - Penn reconnects the joy of making and eating bread with a deep appreciation for the skill and patience required to cultivate its key ingredient. This book is a celebration of the millennia-old craft of breadmaking, and how it is woven into the story of humanity.'Compelling, vivid . . . Slow Rise will be welcomed by the new bread geeks' Spectator

Explore over 450 of the most magical, extraordinary and lesser-known woods and forests in England, Scotland and Wales with this unique, practical and fully illustrated book. Featuring stunning photography and lively travel writing, it is divided into easy-to-navigate geographical sections - Southwest, South and East, Wales, Central and North, and Scotland - and covers everything from the best campsites, bothies and quirky accommodation through to wild swimming, walking trails, types of woodland and forest, cycling routes, waterfalls, canoeing, wildflowers and wildlife, dark skies and stargazing, foraging, lost ruins and sacred, mystical and haunted sites.Wild Woods reveals life-affirming ways to connect with wild places through adventure and is the perfect book for both families and wilderness lovers seeking new experiences well off the beaten track. Also included is a series of 'Best for.' recommendations, from 'Best for Lost Ruins' to 'Best for Charismatic Wildlife', as well as Untamed Waters, Caves and Canyons, and Quirky Stays among others. High-quality photography illustrates a selection of sites and a number of featured adventures are included.With Bradt's Wild Woods visit historic forests such as Epping, Sherwood and the New Forest. Discover ancient and notable trees, healing springs and hidden castles and lose yourself in Britain's largest, wildest and most ancient woods and forests. Detailed, user-friendly instructions help to create wild weekend escapes and you can also learn about 'lost beasts' - megafauna such as wolves - and the evolution of ancient woodland. The legacy of royal forests and private chases is also covered. Whatever your interest in Britain's woods and forests, Bradt's Wild Woods is the ideal guide and companion.