A Short History of the World According to Sheep

by Sally Coulthard

An addictively free-ranging survey of the huge impact that sheep have had on human history.

From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the rolling hills of medieval England to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story.

Starting with our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 10,000 years ago, they've fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and languages, helped us to win wars, decorated our homes, and financed pioneers and privateers to conquer large swathes of the earth. Vast fortunes have been built on the backs of sheep, and cities shaped by shepherds' markets and meat trading.

Sally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a vivid and colourful tapestry, brimful of engaging anecdotes and remarkable ovine facts, whose multiple strands reflect the deep penetration of these woolly animals into every aspect of human society and culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Animals, Nature, Science, Historical

308 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2020

About the author

After studying Archaeology & Anthropology at Oxford University, best-selling author and designer Sally Coulthard has spent the last twenty years designing, making and writing about homes, craft and outdoor spaces. She sees no boundary between the rules that govern good interior design and those which are needed to craft a spectacular studio or glorious garden.

Keen to make good design accessible, she’s written over twenty books about restoring houses, designing interiors and outdoor living. From garden styles to craftsmanship, creating workspaces to building sheds, Sally’s books inspire, encourage and equip readers to take on projects of their own.

Sally is a passionate advocate of rural living and regularly writes about nature and her experiences of smallholding deep in North Yorkshire countryside, including her ‘Good Life in Country’ column for Country Living magazine.

Reviews

[Hooman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title should have been "A Short History of Britain According to Sheep"; and beneath it with a smaller font: "with remarks about other parts of the world".

Wandering about the internet, its introduction on the publisher's website, Head of Zeus, popped up and there was this compliment by some critic that encouraged me to read the book: "This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari's Sapiens." Well, to be honest, it doesn't.

No doubt, it is an intriguing book, especially the first few chapters. With a lovely narrative, it gives a lot of information about sheep, when and how it entered and somehow dominated our lives with a population of around one billion; bestowing us wool, meat and dairies. It also sidetracks in some parts to depict other interesting aspects of human lives in the past. But this book definitely lacks the universality of Harari's Sapiens.
And by the way, it doesn't have any pictures at all!! (Apart from those black and white drawings in the beginning of each chapter)

حین مطالعه‌ی «تعقیب هیجان‌انگیز گوسفند» موراکامی، یک سری حقایق جالب در مورد گوسفندها و ورود متأخرشون به ژاپن توجهم رو جلب کرد. تو اینترنت دنبال مطالبی در این راجع گشتم؛ و به طور اتفاقی با این کتاب آشنا شدم. به این امید کتاب رو شروع کردم که حقایقی راجع به گوسفند و دامداری در جای جای دنیا خصوصا ژاپن بخونم؛ که متأسفانه هیچ اشاره‌ای به دامداری در ژاپن در این کتاب نشده‌بود
به نظرم اگر کنجکاوید، هفت فصل اول این کتاب و فصل آخرش رو به صورت انتخابی بخونید (از مجموع 14 فصل). مطالعه‌ی این فصل‌ها برای من تداعی‌کننده‌ی مطالعه‌ی مجله‌ی دانستنیها تو ایام نوجوانی بود؛ ولی باقی فصل‌ها خسته‌کننده و حوصله سر بر بودند

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this even though I think the title of the book is a weak choice/simply awful. Each chapters are about a 20-30 minutes read (I adore how organised the book is; always a pleasure to have when it comes to non-fiction). The more you like sheep, the more you'll like this book. I took a star off from my rating because the ending felt a bit flat for me; there were some points made that felt a bit waffle-ey to me. Regardless, I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. I esp. enjoyed the chapters in which Coulthard explored the history of Vikings with important relevance to 'sheep'.

[Naja · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
I listened to this as an audiobook mainly because it was available at my library and the title intrigued me. As someone with a passion for knitting and handcrafting I really enjoyed learning more about the evolution of the sheep, their influence on human development, and the history of textile manufacturing. I also really enjoyed the focus on women. A lot of history tends to ignore women and having a book actively point out how women were involved not only in the processing of the wool (i.e. spinning, weaving, knitting) but that they also worked as shepherdess was a nice change of scenery.

Some downsides to the book for me were some of the structural choices. The chapters would jump back and forth in time a lot, which was hard to keep track of (especially on audio). The book was also hugely focused on the keeping of sheep in England and I would have liked some more depth on other regions as this is supposed to be a short history of the world.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in history or sheep or both. Read it and you might find out how sheep are partially responsible for capitalism.

[Mairita (Marii grāmatplaukts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pasaules vēsture" varbūt mazliet par skaļu teikts, tomēr aitām un vilnai ir bijusi ļoti liela loma cilvēces vēsturē. Gan izklaidējoši, gan informatīvi autore stāsta par aitu audzēšanu, vilnas apstrādi, audumiem un dziju ņemot piemērus no daudzām valstīm, ar uzsvaru uz britu salām. Izmantoti arheoloģiskie atradumi, leģendas, literārie darbi un citas vēstures liecības, kur fiksētas ziņas par aitām un vilnu. Nodaļa par bērnu nodarbinātību šķita par garu, būtu pieticis īsāk, bet citādi priecājos, ka šo grāmatu izlasīju (noklausījos).

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family comes from a long line of sheep farmers in Oregon.

Despite this, I know absolutely nothing about sheep.

Zip. Zero. Nada.

So this was a short and engaged history on the history of sheep, albeit a history that was very focused on England (and Scotland) than the rest of the world.

Ranging from ancient times to modern and covering contraptions like the myth of tartan and aryan sweaters, and the history of condoms and the rise of the industrial revolution, the cottage industry, child labor and the enclosure laws (and much much more), this book packs a lot into a short amount of time.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars
A better title for this book would have been "A Short History of the British Isles According to Sheep". Coulthard starts off with ancient history - the domestication of wild ovines in the Middle East and the uses that people got from these sheep, such as meat, milk, cheese and wool. The book then progresses, peacemeal, to how sheep products influenced the economy, textile manufacture, laws, trade, wars, food, and the daily life of those living in the British Isles (with a passing mention of other bits of the world). The information provided is mostly new to me and I found it interesting. The development of felt and knitting, the sheer number of sheep required to keep the Celts, Roman and Vikings in cloth, and the properties of wool were particularly interesting. In short, this is a jaunty but interesting, if somewhat casual look at how sheep influenced humanity, with heavy emphasis on the British Isles.

[Chloe Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in such a long time. The presentation of history and information never felt dense or boring as some books on nature can.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a brief, fun, historical tour through the lens of human interactions with sheep. I learned a bunch about our use of sheep products over time (specifically wool), and about lots of other tangentially related things. It's definitely in the vein as Harari's Sapiens and other human history overviews, but is told and constructed in a much more whimsical way. It helps to like sheep, or be interested in the nature of sheep farming. A relatively entertaining car-ride audio.

[Juliska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erg vermakelijk en interessant. Ik weet nu allemaal dingen over schapen waarvan ik niet eens wist dat ik ze wilde weten. Opmerkelijke dieren en een opmerkelijk geschiedenisboek. Nu nog met koeien, dat was beter geweest.

[Kahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better title for this book would have been ‘A Short History of the United Kingdom According to Sheep (and brief excursions elsewhere)’. Despite that, however, this was an interesting book that covers a range of topics from the development of large scale agricultural production to the economics of the wool trade and incidental developments in family structures, fashion and the spread of disease’ An engaging. well-narrated birds eye-view of history from this perspective.

[Lucia Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

Interesting, especially if you’re interested in sheep, wool or fabric. I love how the history of sheep is intertwined with big parts of the history of the world.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. The history and the inclusion of women and the effect wool had on generations and societies is incredible.While I was reading this book I watched a documentary called The Bone Detectives and a segment dealt with the rise of woolen garments and the wealth it generated for some in Britain and the poverty and disease that sprang from the greed of capitalists.Children were used as workers in the mills and many died before the age of 20 and the factories started them as young as age 6. They died from malnutrition, 17 hr workdays , cotton lung,TB,cholera ,scurvy, and rickets plus adulterated food from greedy people trying to make more money from food by adding bad ingredients that actually hindered adsorption.I could not be more aware of the world today and how we are starting to see some of the same diseases that these conditions plus poverty create.This book is very interesting and makes many connections to world events that the domestication and raising of sheep has influenced.It should be on mandatory high school reading lists.

[Chris Rousell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Some interesting tidbits about place names, sheep behaviour, and cheese but seems to spend a lot of time (understandably) on wool. Of course you don't get wool without sheep but reading about medieval trade tariffs on wool wasn't that riveting.

Given the time spent discussing the wool market, it was peculiar the author didn't discuss the massive depreciation in the value of wool due to the globalised economy we now exist in.

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this would be a fun light read but my God was I wrong … in the best of ways. It’s astounding to think that without sheep, civilisation - both past and present -may have looked entirely different. For all we know, there may have never been one.

[bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot emphasize enough how lovely it was to indulge in a story that took me on an adventure through history with sheep as my guide.

It was incredibly interesting and plain fun to learn that sheep are the reason, or part of the reason, we have blood transfusions, scissors, operas, balloons, lip balm, shampoo and conditioner, lotions and creams, organ and tissue transplants, IVF, various healing techniques, hot air balloons, condoms and pet dogs, among many other things I can’t imagine life without. And I appreciated the manner in which this story was told as well: simple but beautiful language and compelling stories about the regular folk that lived at the time, as well as some of the most famous names in history and how important sheep were to each of them.

Sometimes what you need is a story like this one, that reminds you how the very things that are so easily taken for granted are the very ones that have been by your side all along and in so many different ways. Sheep might just be my new favorite animal. 🐑💛

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coulthard takes a journalistic approach in this book that puts itself forward as a history of sheep across the world. More accurately, it is a history of sheep and wool, mostly in England (and with an occasionally nationalistic tone that interrupts the flow of the writing).

The best sections are the ones where Coulthard is talking about sheep and not humans or wool. Her tone and humour at these sections are pitch-perfect, and some of the stories are fascinating. Her presentation of the non-human eye gives a nice introduction to the idea of sheep as a companion of humans on our long journey together. Unfortunately, those stronger sections are too few, and throughout the reading the book makes some broad, unsubstantiated claims and often uses language clumsily. It's a pity, because when it is good it is really enjoyable.

[Sarah England · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. Not much of a fan of non-fiction, but I _am_ a nerd, and a nature/history nerd at that, so was on a potential winner. Moreover, I love the way it is set out - each chapter, apart from being different, fascinating aspect of sheep and our relationship to them, has a subtitle of hints for what is covered. Who wouldn't want to read on with intriguing references such as "Roman soldier corsets"?

Made me appreciate sheep much more, but Herdies are still far and away my favourites. Highly recommend.

[John Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable canter through the impact of sheep on the world, much as it says on the tin. Lots of stuff that was new to me, though I my need to go away and read a rather more formal analysis of the impact on the economic history of England. A nice series of anecdotes too, and I have already enlighened my family about the experimentally proven intelligence of the ovid family. It seemed to veer off the topic on a few occasions, but the effect wasn't damaging to the whole.

[Derrick Baynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the exception of addressing climate change this is a joyous book with knowledge about so many of man's activities ( yes, it is about sheep ). Just enjoy the stories.
I was asked to explain my reference to climate change. The author rightly pointed out that sheep management and farming must change to reduce ecological damage. The necessary steps are not joyful acts.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s truly amazing how much pleasure and learning you can receive from a book about sheep and their contribution to the history of our world both past and present. Such a delight. I plan to revisit there was just so much here.

[Anika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read and very interesting to see how sheep played a huge part in historical change. (There are a handful of claims I find a little bit of a leap but it mostly seems to be accurate). I especially liked the explanations of child slavery during the Industrial age and how sheep played into colonisation and how this affected natives (especially Native Americans and Scots). I also liked how Coulthard added Hobsbawm's invented tradition theory, as that's one of my favourite historiographical theories.

The reason I took one star off though is that Coulthard refers to certain archeological finds throughout the book without properly citing them. As these are public finds the moral part of not citing them isn't huge, but it's very annoying for the reader who then wants to find a picture of those items but cannot find them. For example, the socks or the ice lady. The least Coulthard could've done was put in a footnote with information how to find a picture of these items or actually add those pictures to the book.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t an ovinaphobe

[Jessie Pietens · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read this was! Coulthard really gives you the most enjoyable sheep- and wool-related insights you could hope for. While there are some significant time-jumps here and there and at times the information strays somewhat far from its original starting point, it never feels out of place. It really made me smile and had me blurting out random sheep- and wool facts to my significant other the whole way through. I was surprised by how many beautiful pieces of history and literature were woven in (pun intended). I've had this book on my TBR for a while now and I can't believe it took me this long to read it. It's informative, funny, witty and talks so lovingly about the ancient connection between humans and sheep. I can wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who likes to read about nature or anyone who is into thematic history. You will not be disappointed.

[Naya Lunney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk how I got here but my family/friends decided that sheep are my thing. So, naturally, I was gifted this book. I certainly have more sheep fun facts up my sleeve now!

I appreciate the loose chronological order of the book. However, it did feel sidetracked a lot of the time (sporadic insertions of somewhat related/non-related anecdotes) and I was disappointed by basic editing slips (i.e. “such friends such as these”), but otherwise was a fun lil read.

[frances_loves_writing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a history of the world through things, be it spices, beer, bread, trees, you name it, was a big trend a few decades ago. This history of the world via sheep was a refreshing reuse of that trend. I didn’t like this book, I loved this book. It contained tons of little facts alongside a history of warfare, trade, labor, agriculture and gender roles. The book was generally light hearted and fascinating.

[Jonty Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fun and regularly interesting, although it’s kinda like infographics-turned-literature and that prevents it from becoming really insightful. I like how the ovine lens sheds light on many disparate and apparently unrelated parts of history, but it’s really only a starting point. Worth a quick fun read though!

[Frederik Leyns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on known and unknown facts about how sheep shaped our common history and world as we know it today.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solidly entertaining little history — similar to Salt or other specialized lenses. Heavy on UK history, but also a history of shepherding / wool production worldwide.

[D.R.O]

i love sheep gossip : )

[Carlijn]

had a lovely whimsical time with this (though there was not neeeeearrlly enough attention for Welsh sheep hihi)