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Like Farmer, Like Son
‘People say “Like father, like son”, and the story of my life has mirrored my father’s to a quite uncanny degree. Right from when I was a little boy, he was my rock; my mentor; my hero. It is no exaggeration to say that he taught me virtually everything I know about both country life and television. Without him, I certainly would not be doing what I am today ...’
Agriculture and show business may appear to be unlikely bedfellows, but for Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, as for his father, Joe, who tragically passed away in the autumn of 2015, they are the twin poles that have defined his life.
First and foremost, Adam is a farmer. Raised on the same farm in Gloucestershire, Bemborough Farm, that he runs today, Adam can often be found with his sleeves-rolled-up, involved in every element of the day-to-day operations.
Like Farmer, Like Son is a truly remarkable account of Adam’s life that explores a hidden family history and the unbreakable bond between Adam and his life-long hero: his father Joe. In the 1940s and ‘50s, Joe, the son of stage and film star Leslie Henson, chose a completely different path, alien to his thespian parents and decided to pursue a career as a farmer. In addition, Joe overcame a serious stammer to become a regular broadcaster on Country Matters and also became the saviour of Britain’s rare breeds. He even put his business and his reputation at stake to open the world’s first Farm Park.
Here, for the first time, Adam reveals the family traits, childhood experiences and farming wisdom which have made him the man he is today. As he trawls the family archive and discovers his own bloodline, Adam learns to understand and appreciate the famous grandfather he never knew and pays tribute to the wonderful father he has so recently lost.
Agriculture and show business may appear to be unlikely bedfellows, but for Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, as for his father, Joe, who tragically passed away in the autumn of 2015, they are the twin poles that have defined his life.
First and foremost, Adam is a farmer. Raised on the same farm in Gloucestershire, Bemborough Farm, that he runs today, Adam can often be found with his sleeves-rolled-up, involved in every element of the day-to-day operations.
Like Farmer, Like Son is a truly remarkable account of Adam’s life that explores a hidden family history and the unbreakable bond between Adam and his life-long hero: his father Joe. In the 1940s and ‘50s, Joe, the son of stage and film star Leslie Henson, chose a completely different path, alien to his thespian parents and decided to pursue a career as a farmer. In addition, Joe overcame a serious stammer to become a regular broadcaster on Country Matters and also became the saviour of Britain’s rare breeds. He even put his business and his reputation at stake to open the world’s first Farm Park.
Here, for the first time, Adam reveals the family traits, childhood experiences and farming wisdom which have made him the man he is today. As he trawls the family archive and discovers his own bloodline, Adam learns to understand and appreciate the famous grandfather he never knew and pays tribute to the wonderful father he has so recently lost.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 8, 2016
Perfect for fans of Countryfile. An interesting account of Adams home and family life and how he came to be a presenter on the Sunday evening show. Interesting to me as I visited the Cotswold Rare Breeds Farm several times as a child.
August 4, 2017
I'm not really an avid reader of autobiographies but this one jumped out at me as I have been following countryfile for a number of years. A well written and often candid tale of Adam and his fathers life providing an interesting insight in to their lives and their work on conservation of rare breeds. I enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it.
March 16, 2021
Review
What a good read!!!! Adam comes over to me on Country File as a genuine country man just being himself and,for the most part, enjoying himself. He is just the same in the book.
The book is entertaining, informative and makes you think. I think that I am rather envious, what a good and interesting life he has had !! And he is only 50 !.
For me the final chapter says it all . Adams father died and in telling of his father's.. What his father stood for passing Adam manages to pull the whole of the storey together. What his father stood for, how Adam has tried to follow in his father's footsteps, his triumphs and his failings, not that there were many of them. I cried with Adam as he told the tale. It was a good storey and we'll told. I am pleased to see that there are more books by Adam for me to read, I hope they don't ALL make me cry.
What a good read!!!! Adam comes over to me on Country File as a genuine country man just being himself and,for the most part, enjoying himself. He is just the same in the book.
The book is entertaining, informative and makes you think. I think that I am rather envious, what a good and interesting life he has had !! And he is only 50 !.
For me the final chapter says it all . Adams father died and in telling of his father's.. What his father stood for passing Adam manages to pull the whole of the storey together. What his father stood for, how Adam has tried to follow in his father's footsteps, his triumphs and his failings, not that there were many of them. I cried with Adam as he told the tale. It was a good storey and we'll told. I am pleased to see that there are more books by Adam for me to read, I hope they don't ALL make me cry.
November 12, 2017
I read several reviews on this book which were all really good. I don't generally watch Countryfile but have seen Adam Henson on various BBC shows.
He has and interesting family history. It's always nice to read about people's real passions in life.
I thought the book was really interesting and it was a very enjoyable read.
He has and interesting family history. It's always nice to read about people's real passions in life.
I thought the book was really interesting and it was a very enjoyable read.
April 8, 2018
I love books about farming. After picking up The Yorkshire Shepherdess and The Shepherd’s Life; this was next on my list. It did not disappoint; beautifully written, enthralling throughout, it made my laugh and it made me cry on more than one occasion. I really enjoyed this and look forward to picking up more books from Adam Henson.
June 7, 2022
I picked this because it was about animals and sounded interesting. I had no idea who Adam Henson was/is . It was a fascinating memoir of the struggle of a specialist farmer in particular a rare breeds farmer.
At times very moving with the hardship and pain he and his family faced with foot and mouth, TB.
A must read if you like farming and animal books
At times very moving with the hardship and pain he and his family faced with foot and mouth, TB.
A must read if you like farming and animal books
August 14, 2018
Great content, excellent read, done to earth, interesting self reflecting journey of Adam’s life, was flying through the book then panicked as I realised I had nearly reached the end of it, thoroughly enjoyed,
May 17, 2019
Wow!! What a book. Full of laughter, sadness and farming, farming and more farming! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learnt so much; both about Adam’s life and farming. A must read for countryfile fans and all those interested in farming.
November 30, 2019
What a great book, Adam tells a very interesting story about his life, growing up on the farm and eventually running the farm. I particularly found it interesting as I have visited the Farm. Would strongly recommend a read!
December 30, 2021
If you like Adam on Countryfile, then you can’t go wrong with this book. A wonderful combination of biography for both himself and his father, as well as a love letter to animals, land and the people that farm it. Insightful and enjoyable.
September 19, 2017
Whenever I read memoir, I always have to ask: 'Is it as good as Claire Balding?'
The answer is almost always no. It's a no this time. But it was enjoyable enough.
The answer is almost always no. It's a no this time. But it was enjoyable enough.
November 9, 2017
Great to read his story and tribute to his Father
July 16, 2018
Wasn’t particularly keen on “Adam I never do any farming” until I read this!
June 10, 2025
a good listen. very good account of family and farming life and broadcasting. very enjoyable
December 20, 2017
One of the best
Really enjoyed the this book, full of interesting anecdotes. The start of the Cotswolds Rate Breeds Farm was a visionary example of Adams gathers take on farming. A book that was easy to read with a lot of smiles reading about life on the farm and Adams travels. Highly recommended.
Really enjoyed the this book, full of interesting anecdotes. The start of the Cotswolds Rate Breeds Farm was a visionary example of Adams gathers take on farming. A book that was easy to read with a lot of smiles reading about life on the farm and Adams travels. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2020
Interesting to read of how an unassuming lad, purely interested in the countryside and family life on the farm ended up - sort of by accident - as a top TV presenter and eating dinner next to the queen! Quite a story, underpinned by a love for rare-breeds and their conservation, a passion inherited from his father, told with openness and honesty.
September 26, 2023
My over whelming feeling at the end of the book was not very deep. But then I think I expected that when I picked it up and was looking for an easy read at the time. Henson covers some of the ups and downs in life but he doesn't really engage in any of the big questions we all face or even much detail on the big questions facing farming. It is more about Adam Henson's busy life in TV, as he seemed to accept every offer that came his way.
July 3, 2016
I tend to read biographies fairly quickly and this was no exception It was a nice easy read, a mix of humour and sadness, wellies and wit. I love Countryfile and Adam. It was nice to see his background and the tales he had to tell. It was especially moving towards the end about his Dad and it made me cry as there were similarities which hit a nerve. Well worth a read.
June 30, 2016
Adams book
A wonderfully descriptive account of his life with his family. The ups and downs of farming life are explained so well. Very enjoyable read.
Will give it 5 stars.
A wonderfully descriptive account of his life with his family. The ups and downs of farming life are explained so well. Very enjoyable read.
Will give it 5 stars.
August 14, 2017
An easy read, especially if you like Countryfile and follow the Adam's Farm feature. Written from the heart, especially when the farm tests positively for TB.
April 30, 2017
AN excellent story that has you laughing and crying . thank you for writing it
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews