The Sheep’s Tale

''An important book on several levels... Read a few sentences out loud, wherever you are.'' Rosamund YoungEverybody thinks they know what sheep are like: they''re stupid, noisy, cowardly (''lambs ...

''An important book on several levels... Read a few sentences out loud, wherever you are.'' Rosamund YoungEverybody thinks they know what sheep are like: they''re stupid, noisy, cowardly (''lambs to the slaughter''), and they''re ''sheepwrecking'' the environment.Or maybe not. Contrary to popular prejudice, sheep are among the smartest animals in the farmyard, fiercely loyal, forming long and lasting friendships. Sheep, farmed properly, are boons to biodiversity. They also happen to taste good and their fleeces warm us through the winter - indeed, John Lewis-Stempel''s family supplied the wool