At the very end of the road is a seven-bar metal gate. It is chained and padlocked and marks the exact line where the tarmac stops. Beyond that is a track, twelve pasture and hay fields, and an area of saltmarsh, bounded on one side by a river and on the other by vast tidal mudflats. Deep in the west of England, this is a place sculpted by the wind and painted by the tides. It is a place full of wildlife. This immersive and carefully crafted book of place explores the impact of season and tides and weather upon this land at the edge through a series of literary pictures crafted through lyrical imaginative language. The author attempts what few, if any, have tried to do, namely to render meticulous observations of the intimate details of wildlife and landscape to depict a place as faithfully and transparently as possible. 

This is a bold book, one that tries to capture the elusive soul of a place; a daring examination of both what makes a place and how it is remade daily through the interactions between landscape and observer. It is also radical for its approach challenges the current orthodoxy of nature writing that in order to supply a connection between author, subject, and reader, some sort of narrative framework of human emotion is required to provide it with a rationale. So, although the prose is subjective, the book is framed in such a way as to remove the author’s presence almost completely. There is no story save that of the eternal change of the seasons, no narrative connection, no focus on a single species, no discussion or allusion to the environmental issues of our age, no characters. Indeed, there is barely any mention of people at all. Although it rarely tries to explain or educate, it simply places observations at centre stage. Yet in trying to unearth what it is precisely that constructs our relationship with place, the author has, paradoxically, produced one of the most deeply personal and unusual nature books.

A thought-provoking and highly descriptive book creating literary pictures through lyrical and imaginative language and meticulous observation. It will be of great appeal to everyone with an interest in the natural world, wildlife, nature writing and all those with an interest in landscape and conservation.

'...beautifully observed vignettes of wildlife around the author's home in the West Country....The writer has an interesting slant on life and original ideas. Where he bursts into verse, he writes some beautifully lyrical poetry. This is a book to savour by reading a chapter at a time through the year.' Country Living

‘ …  a book of observations. Descriptive observations. Minute observations. As well as describing weather and landscapes in fantastic detail, the author picks out the finest specifics of what a bird looks like … with such accuracy that the reader can almost see the bird and appreciate nuances of bird behaviour that only a trained eye can detect.  … the reader will be in awe at the author’s attention to detail.  … This book is also a masterclass in the use of metaphors, similes and alliterations. In addition the author’s use of imaginative language is unparalleled.  These narratives immediately allow the reader to appreciate, visually and aurally, exactly what the author is describing. … a remarkable book by a talented author and one I’d thoroughly recommend’. Wildlife Detective, the blog of Alan Stewart

'The book, as a whole, is like a jewel box, a fantastic collection of literary gems. Edwards’s writing is precise, producing exquisite, meticulously crafted sentences.' Natural Areas Journal

‘…This is a superb read. ... This is an exceptional book which deserves to be read widely because it will give great pleasure to many. It is the last entry into my shortlist for Book of the Year for 2022 ... there is a 93-word sentence to which I have returned many times because it makes me envious, it captures things so well, and the passage recalls the monologue at the end of Bladerunner’. Dr. Mark Avery, Standing up for Nature

'This is a series of intense observations of nature in a small area, by a gifted observer who interprets what he sees in an individual style.' Birdwatch

‘...describing in intricate detail encounters with not just birds but mammals, plants, insects and everything else. ... intimate observations of wildlife are often described in remarkable detail... ...is an immersive book... ...are numerous stunning passages and it can really transport you to moments in time’. British Trust for Ornithology

'It is a beautifully-written study in which Edwards brilliantly captures the sights and sounds that greet him every time he steps out of his front door'. Bird Forum

'ONE of the many delights of At The Very End of The Road is the imaginative way in which author Phillip Edwards describes the songs of individual birds. ...his descriptions - scrupulously-detailed and authoritative - of the hunting behaviour of raptors, particularly merlins, sparrowhawks and peregrines. No other author, surely, has done it better. ...nature writing at its most refined. If the cliché can be forgiven, it is as pure as a mountain stream. Highly recommended'. RSPB Book Club

'Great writing doesn’t reveal all its secrets at once. I’m reading it for the fourth time - and enjoying it more than ever. It’s enchanting - yet still carries a quiet authority. Surely a classic of the future'. Amazon four-star review

'I enjoyed this excellent book very much although it was not quite what I imagined it would be. It is more a love story - the love the author has found for the place and the natural surroundings he has been lucky enough to find. Of interest to bird watchers, nature lovers and those with an interest in finding their own place in the world'. Amazon five-star review

'Phillip's knowledge and narration captures the pulse of place with his vibrant descriptions. He makes it easy for you to see and feel what he sees'. Amazon five-star review

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