About the book
** Longlisted for the 2024 Cundill History Prize**
‘A dozen pages in I realized that I had been waiting for much of my life to read this extraordinary book’ Annie Proulx
A way of life that once encompassed most of humanity is vanishing in one of the greatest transformations of our time: the eclipse of the rural world by the urban.
In this new history of peasantry, Patrick Joyce tells the story of this lost world and its people. In contrast to the usual insulting stereotypes, we discover a rich and complex culture: traditions, songs, celebrations and revolts, across Europe from the plains of Poland to the farmsteads and villages of Italy and Ireland, through the nineteenth century to the present day. Into this passionate history, written with exquisite care, Joyce weaves remarkable individual stories, including those of his own Irish family, and looks at how peasant life has been remembered - and misremembered - in contemporary culture.
This is a people whose voice is vastly underrepresented in human history. Yet for Joyce, we are all the children of peasants, who must respect the experience of our ancestors. This is particularly pressing when our knowledge of the land is being lost to climate crisis and the rise of industrial agriculture. Enlightening, timely and vital, this book commemorates an extraordinary culture whose impact on our history and our future remains profoundly relevant.
Editions of Remembering Peasants
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241543023
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780141998732
- EBook
- ISBN 9780141998749
Read an Excerpt
** Longlisted for the 2024 Cundill History Prize**
‘A dozen pages in I realized that I had been waiting for much of my life to read this extraordinary book’ Annie Proulx
A way of life that once encompassed most of humanity is vanishing in one of the greatest transformations of our time: the eclipse of the rural world by the urban.
In this new history of peasantry, Patrick Joyce tells the story of this lost world and its people. In contrast to the usual insulting stereotypes, we discover a rich and complex culture: traditions, songs, celebrations and revolts, across Europe from the plains of Poland to the farmsteads and villages of Italy and Ireland, through the nineteenth century to the present day. Into this passionate history, written with exquisite care, Joyce weaves remarkable individual stories, including those of his own Irish family, and looks at how peasant life has been remembered - and misremembered - in contemporary culture.
This is a people whose voice is vastly underrepresented in human history. Yet for Joyce, we are all the children of peasants, who must respect the experience of our ancestors. This is particularly pressing when our knowledge of the land is being lost to climate crisis and the rise of industrial agriculture. Enlightening, timely and vital, this book commemorates an extraordinary culture whose impact on our history and our future remains profoundly relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Remembering Peasants about?
** Longlisted for the 2024 Cundill History Prize**
‘A dozen pages in I realized that I had been waiting for much of my life to read this extraordinary book’ Annie Proulx
A way of life that once encompassed most of humanity is vanishing in one of the greatest transformations of our time: the eclipse of the rural world by the urban.
In this new history of peasantry, Patrick Joyce tells the story of this lost world and its people. In contrast to the usual insulting stereotypes, we discover a rich and complex culture: traditions, songs, celebrations and revolts, across Europe from the plains of Poland to the farmsteads and villages of Italy and Ireland, through the nineteenth century to the present day. Into this passionate history, written with exquisite care, Joyce weaves remarkable individual stories, including those of his own Irish family, and looks at how peasant life has been remembered - and misremembered - in contemporary culture.
This is a people whose voice is vastly underrepresented in human history. Yet for Joyce, we are all the children of peasants, who must respect the experience of our ancestors. This is particularly pressing when our knowledge of the land is being lost to climate crisis and the rise of industrial agriculture. Enlightening, timely and vital, this book commemorates an extraordinary culture whose impact on our history and our future remains profoundly relevant.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Remembering Peasants?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Nature and the natural world: general interest > The countryside, country life: general interest
Where can I read a sample of Remembering Peasants?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241543023
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Remembering Peasants?
Patrick Joyce
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Remembering Peasants is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241543023) and paperback(ISBN 9780141998732) and ebook(ISBN 9780141998749)
Where can I buy Remembering Peasants online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Remembering Peasants from below
Where can I buy Remembering Peasants?