Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects

by Lotta Jansdotter
Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Technical
  • ID: 5274
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
insightful 4.50

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a charming and insightful account of bovine behavior, revealing the complex social lives and intelligence of cows. Young's personal and empathetic approach to farming highlights the dignity and value of these animals, making a gentle yet urgent case for kindness and better treatment of livestock.

Rosamund Young's The Secret Life of Cows is a delightful and thought-provoking book that offers a unique perspective on the lives of cows. As a lifelong farmer, Young shares her observations and anecdotes about the cows on her Gloucestershire farm, revealing their complex social structures, emotional depth, and individual personalities. The book challenges the common perception of cows as simple, unfeeling animals, showcasing their intelligence, communication skills, and even their sense of humor. Young's empathetic approach to farming, which emphasizes providing ample food, shelter, and freedom to roam, is both inspiring and practical. Her personal connection with her cows, evident in her descriptions of grooming them, removing stones from their hooves, and catering to their individual preferences, adds a touching and authentic dimension to the book. While Young's anthropomorphism may raise some eyebrows, her extreme empathy with her subjects feels convincing and genuine. The book's gentle yet urgent message about the value of kindness and the dignity of animals is particularly relevant in today's world, where films like Okja and Eating Animals are sounding alarm bells about the treatment of livestock. Spending a few hours in the company of Young's cows may not instantly turn you vegan, but it will certainly teach you a loving lesson about the importance of treating animals with respect and compassion.

Quick quotes

    The book was originally published by a small agricultural press before word of mouth — not least from the beloved English playwright Alan Bennett, who wrote the introduction — paved the way to a wider audience.

    Young describes her own work as simply a string of anecdotes and observations grouped around certain themes (example: “Bovine friendships are seldom casual”), but the musings reveal things far more profound.

    Young anthropomorphizes, to be sure. Yet her extreme empathy with her subjects feels convincing and authentic.

pimpstitch.typepad.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
intriguing 3.50

The review discusses Rosamund Young's book 'The Secret Life of Cows', which presents cows as individuals with distinct personalities and behaviors. The reviewer finds the book persuasive in challenging their previous perception of cows as dull creatures, but questions the ethical implications of raising livestock for food.

Rosamund Young's 'The Secret Life of Cows' is a collection of anecdotes that portrays cows as unique individuals with complex behaviors and personalities. The book challenges the common perception of cows as dull and stolid, and the reviewer finds Young's arguments persuasive. However, the review also notes that the book lacks depth in certain areas, such as the history of the farm and the ethical implications of raising livestock for food. The reviewer appreciates Young's insights into cow behavior but questions the ethical stance of the farm, particularly regarding the slaughter of the cows. The book is described as deeply felt but not profound, and the reviewer wonders about Young's views on the ethics of eating meat.

Quick quotes

    They are so persuasive, in fact, that I finished the book wondering whether she, or anyone, should be in the business of raising livestock.

    This passage walks a fine line between touching and laughable.

    The secret life of cows ends at the slaughterhouse.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
insightful 4.00

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a meditative collection of anecdotes about farm animals, particularly cows, highlighting their individual personalities and intelligence. The book is soothing and insightful, though it may not address all curiosities about cow behavior.

The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young is a charming and thoughtful book that delves into the lives of farm animals, primarily cows. Young, who runs an organic farm, shares numerous anecdotes about the animals she has raised, each with distinct personalities and quirks. The book is written in a straightforward and soothing style, making it a pleasant read. It emphasizes the intelligence and varied characteristics of cows, from their loyalty and vanity to their forgetfulness and pickiness about food. However, it may not cover all aspects of cow behavior, such as their sex lives or their tendency to appear menacing. Overall, the book offers a unique perspective on farm animals and their lives, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in animal behavior and farming.

Quick quotes

    This book will change forever the way you see a field of ayrshires or friesians.

    Some are vain, loving to be groomed and reluctant to go to bed at night with muddy ankles.

    If a cow’s intelligence is sufficient to make her a success as a cow, what more could be wished?

abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-23
charming 3.50

The book offers charming anecdotes about the individual personalities of cows, making it a relaxing read. However, the narrative could have benefited from tighter editing to better connect the stories.

Rosamund Young's book provides a delightful glimpse into the lives of cows on her farm, highlighting their unique personalities and social behaviors. The anecdotes are charming and the book is a relaxing read, but the narrative could have been improved with better editorial connections between the short notes. Young also shares stories about other farm animals, such as a chicken who lost a leg and was cared for by her friends. While the book is enjoyable, it is marred by the author's questionable beliefs about cow homeopathy and vaccinations, which seem out of place and somewhat concerning.

Quick quotes

    The anecdotes are charming, and the book itself is blissfully relaxing.

    That said, I do think the narrative would have benefitted from a tighter editorial intervention.

    Young also introduces a few stories of other farm animals — particularly sheep and chickens.

    My one grudge is that Young not only seems to believe in cow homeopathy (like Prince Charles), but she gives a hint that she is against vaccinations — which is strange.

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