Spirit of Stone

Just as we are drawn to the waves of the coastline and the stillness of woodlands, the lonely heights of distant mountains and the profound depths of caves pull us to them with magnetic allure. We draw some of our deepest philosophies following the old paths of pilgrimage, and immerse ourselves in the wetlands and fens. We uncover our pasts through bringing to the surface of the land what was buried and lost, and mine the earth for the materials with which we create beautiful sculptures that will outlast us all. The Spirit of Stone is a beautiful exploration of our relationships with the landscapes of Britain and Ireland, and the many ways we relate to the ground beneath our feet. A natural progression from The Draw of The Sea, and The Heart of The Woods, The Spirit of Stone will close the circle on the first two books. We started the journey at the sea’s edge before travelling to the heart of the woods. Now, we will take readers on a journey through landscapes of rock, stone and earth. The stories in The Spirit of Stone will range from explorations of our relationships with towering mountains and womblike caves, to ancient pathways and stone circles, from the mysterious marks our ancestors made in stone, to the ones we continue to make today. As with the previous two books in the series, each essay will be part travelogue, part social history, incorporating interview, journal and memoir. Far from being static, this book will be full of movement and action. The essays will be accompanied by beautiful images of mountains, caves, stone circles, rock formations, and stunning sculptures. The Spirit of Stone will build on the success of Robert Macfarlane’s Underland, Kathleen Jamie’s Surfacing, Peter Ross’ View from a Tomb, as well as the popularity of climbing documentaries such as Free Solo and The Dawn Wall. It will take the reader on a journey into landscapes we think we know well. However, it will differ from all these books and films, which explore single environments in detail, instead taking the reader on a journey through the many facets of stone and rock, reflecting deeply on the stories of those whose lives are influenced by the landscapes they traverse.