Never Mind the Quantocks

by Stuart Maconie

'Every one of us knows the moment when the simple act of putting one foot in front of another stops being a method of propulsion and becomes an adventure.'
In this hilarious and heart-warming collection of essays, writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie reflects on a life spent exploring the British countryside on foot. From the splendour of the Pennines and the Lake District to the drama of the Dorset coast; from the canals of the Midlands to wildest Scotland, this book is an attempt to explain a passion for walking and the delights it can bring.
  Never Mind the Quantocks features over 50 insightful, witty and entertaining articles, including festive walks, Lakeland favourites and pub treks. Culled from his monthly column in Country Walking magazine, this collection is full of the beautiful places, magical moments and wonderful characters that Stuart has encountered on his travels. It describes such intrepid adventures as taking on the famous 'Wainwright' Fells of the Lake District, walking Hadrian's Wall with colleague Mark Radcliffe, and why the most important things to carry in a rucksack are a transistor radio and a small bottle of wine.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Walking

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Stuart Maconie is a TV and radio presenter, journalist, columnist and author.

He is the UK’s best-selling travel writer of non-TV tie-in books and his Pies and Prejudice was one of 2008’s top selling paperbacks. His work has been compared with Bill Bryson, Alan Bennett and John Peel and described by The Times as a 'National Treasure'.

He co-hosts the Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 every Monday – Thursday evening, as well as The Freak Zone on 6Music on Sunday afternoons, and has written and presented dozens of other shows on BBC Radio. His TV work includes presenting the BBC's On Trial shows, Pop on Trial and Style on Trial, as well as Stuart Maconie’s TV Towns, a popular gazeteer of major British cities and their roles in modern cultural life for ITV 4 and The Cinema Show/The DVD Collection on BBC 4.

As well as a popping up in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, and on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Stuart was a favourite on hit TV series such as the BBC's I love the 1970s' , I love the 1980s , and is now in variously Grumpy... . His other books include the acclaimed official biographies of both Blur and James. He can name GQ Man of the Year and Sony Awards Radio Broadcaster of the Year amongst his accolades. He has regular columns in The Radio Times and Country Walking and writes for WORD magazine and The Mirror.

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection containing 50 articles written by Stuart for his monthly column in Country Walking of around two pages each.

Never Mind the Quantocks is written with wit and humour and captures the pleasure of walking in Britain. It's gets a tad repetitive but there's still plenty to enjoy and appreciate.

[Clive Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of country walking articles perfectly captures and illustrates the joy of preparing for, and walking in, the glorious British landscapes. Anyone who has laced up a pair of boots and set off on a path or bridleway out into the countryside will find this a delight.
Another excellent read from Mr Maconie.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Maconie is possibly my favourite non-fiction author and I've read most of his books now so I'm playing the waiting game for the next! This book is actually a series of essays which he wrote for Country Walking magazine - some factual, some humorous and all interesting, even to someone who has never climbed a mountain!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, easy read. Loved Stuart's musing on walking, nature and the gentler things in life. A warm and humorous book.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q:
It was a sort of souwester made of dauntingly heavy-duty rubber and was certainly waterproof. I think it would have proved fireproof and radiation-proof, too. (c)
Q:
Never be afraid to turn back. I have turned turning back into an art form. I’ve actually turned back while still putting my boots on. (c)
Q:
More importantly, learn how to fold a map; those double-siders can be a job for a black belt in origami and you will learn to your cost, grasshopper, that the bit you want is always on the other side. (c)
Q:
In the end, take advice. But, in the vernacular of the training shoe ad man, just do it. You’ll get lost, you’ll get soaked, you might even get scared. And you’ll love it. See you out there somewhere I hope. (c)
Q:

[Suzie Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Stuart Maconie 's writing style and this collection of short articles written for Country Talking Magazine pay homage to his (and my) beloved Lake District and other great walks around the UK. I read them straight through so began to notice a little repetition but if you love walking this can only inspire.

[Alan Gauld · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant enough book without being riveting. It was a curious mixture of anecdote and reflection scattered through a collection of essays. I say "essays" because they were very short, not really chapters in the expected sense, say 2-4 pages long. Also, they were in no particular order, there was no connecting theme, jumping from a winter hike in the Lakes to a summer outing on the Jurassic coast to a woodland ramble in a city. Most have some kind of musical or poetic introduction that occasionally is related to the subject discussed.

This is the perfect toilet book: short essays, completely disconnected from each other; thus there is no strong need to read on and thus hog the necessary beyond what is necessary!

Ultimately, the disjoint nature of the book spoiled it for me; I'd have preferred having the topics grouped by theme - location, subject matter, time of year, anything to give some sort of structure.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a collected works made up from writings shared previously in the popular periodical, Country Walking, it is a book perfectly suited to be picked up and put down, reread and referenced at leisure. Each article provides insightful anecdotal musings on walks, walking and the great outdoors all expressed in Stuart’s indubitable style. As someone who has been simultaneously awestruck, exhausted and utterly despondent when out and about in all weathers over all terrain that the Lakes and the Peak District has to offer I found there was a lot to identify with, and new and interesting things still to discover.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maconie is very witty .. this is a collection of essays from country walking magazine quite well put together, he covers many different areas from the general rambler experiences and issues to more personal aspects of his life's walking generally around the Lake District ! I wish he had written more about his experience of walking the jurisdiction c coast but thoroughly enjoyable read ! Will read more!

[Rachel Harold · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I love the idea of this book and enjoyed reading the short essays. As a keen walker I could resonate with a lot of the stories and anecdotes. However it started to feel a bit repetitive towards the end of the book and the jump between each essay felt a bit jarring at times. Some of the authors comments and opinions came across rudely and a bit outdated, which stopped this book from being a higher rating from me.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written as ever. I am starting to get to the point where I am interested in long country walks. My only criticism is that I would have preferred this to have been a much more in depth read on each of the walks. You are frequently left wanting more, an example being the tale of Stuart & Mark Radcliffe's walk along Hadrians Wall is a book I would love to read in depth.

[Robert Newell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a bit of a struggle to read. Maconie’s articles are interesting if you were reading the original Country Walking magazine but in book format it doesn’t work. As soon as the story builds up it ends, due to the word restrictions in original magazine article. It would have been preferable to see these articles built upon and extending the story or narrative.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in Gloucestershire, have never climbed in the Lake District (or anywhere else for that matter) but I still found it a very enjoyable book. His way of writing is so good, I’d read his words anywhere. I enjoy his dad jokes too, when I don’t enjoy my husband’s!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a collection of articles written for a monthly walking magazine, the writing is much more concise and focused than in some of the author’s other books. Maconie is perceptive and encouraging rather than elitist which makes for a satisfying if slightly repetitive read.

[D.T. WYATT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always amusing and entertaining

Echoes of thoughts that many hill walkers and bikers have likely had but put eloquently and amusingly into script by Stuart Maconie. An engrossing read.

[Lord Zion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably wouldn't be too enjoyable if I didn't live near the Lake District so have an awareness of the locations in the book.

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and funny book about his walking experiences; the stories are all his articles from Country Walking.

[Christopherch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Communicates a passion for mountains and hiking with lots of lovely anecdotes and perceptions; almost reads as a cohesive whole, just a bit too much repetition in this magazine article collection.

[Dave Parr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Stuart Maconie and although this is just a collection of magazine articles, it is still entertaining

[Kevin McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of articles from the Country Walking magazine. Short and sweet and a mixed bag.

[Steven Haythorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of.his columns featured in Country Walking magazine. Next best thing to actually being out there walking.

[Rich Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read being a collection of articles.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely easy read of a series of 'essays', so can be picked up any time.
I've read a few other Stuart Maconie books and I really like his style. Never precotious and tells it like it is!

[Steve Gillway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining collection of short essays on the joys and travails of walking

[Oliver Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun read

Warm and uplifting. A passionate case for the great outdoors, and walking in it, particularly the Lakes. Really very nice.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't pay proper attention to the title... or rather the unspoken next line which must surely be "Here's the Lake District" There is in fact nothing whatsoever about the Quantocks in this collection of Stuart Maconie's Country Walking magazine columns... and frankly I consider that a significant omission (maybe Mr Maconie is tick-phobic?). I have in the last few years been reconciled to the Lake District having been put off it by an ill-advised parental drag up almost all of Helvellyn aged 5 and later disability, and can now appreciate its breathtaking beauty. But it wasn't only parochialism which makes me disapprove of the overwhelming focus on on the top left hand corner of England - he does perhaps say more about walking 'my' hills than any others after Wainwright's.

There is a good deal to enjoy in this collection of overly short columns but whilst in other respects it is not at all precious and exclusive, it isn't about country walking, it is about hill walking and you do get the impression not, as he claims, that it isn't a proper walk without water, but not a proper walk without a summit.

[Stephen Goldenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who don't know him, Stuart Maconie is (or certainly should be) an English national treasure. Chiefly known as a broadcaster on BBC radio's rock music station, his talents range more widely in journalism, broadcasting and, particularly travel writing. For the best example of his work, I'd recommend 'Pies and Prejudice', his book about his travels round the North of England.
This book is a collection of his columns published in 'Country Walking' magazine. If you're a keen walker, or even if you're not, these very short essays are easy to dip into. Not the least of the pleasures is the sparkling wit and his infectious enthusiasm conveyed in a very non-anorak way.

[Davidg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining collection of walking articles by Stuart Maconie. As others have commented, it is written in Stuart's usual style, making it an easy and amusing read.

I do feel mean in giving only three stars as four might be closer to the enjoyment the book gives. However, it is clear that Stuart only had a limited amount of space for his column and so no topic could be explored in any depth. The result is a series of entertaining bonbons. Just a few longer articles would have given the book more depth and weight.

But if you want a reminder of the joys of the outdoors on winter evenings or when a gale is blowing, it's still a good read.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of Maconies articles and essays from The Country Walking magazine.

It is written with his usual wit and humour, and will make you chuckle. He is very passionate about walking, and he wants everyone who reads these to understand and share that passion. The articles cover the right to roam, land art, maps and the pure joy of climbing a hill and soaking in the view.

The only thing I didn't like was the padding in the book. Every title page was a whole page, and as the essays were only around two and half pages long as well, it seemed excessive!

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book consists of Maconie's thoughts on a variety of aspects of walking. Each one is fine, but it is not a book to 'read through' and certainly some parts are very lightweight. It is in fact a compilation of articles by him from The Country Walking magazine, and is not particularly good value for money. The articles cover the right to roam, land art, maps and the pleasure of climbing a hill and looking at the view. As usual, Maconie writes well, and there is so good stuff in there. His enthusiasm for walking certainly shines through.