Analysis of the The Making of the English Landscape Written by Hoskins - Book Report/Review Example

The Making of the English Landscape al Affiliation The Making of the English Landscape The book ‘the making of the English landscape, written by Hoskins was published in 1955, and it describes the local landscapes. Despite other modern studies discussing the topic, the book has remained classic of its subject. Hoskins has a great admiration for the local landscapes such as Devon and Cornwall. Hoskins describes the term landscape in many ways, but he offers a simple definition for landscape as a backcloth to all human activity and a setting to express cultural attitudes and activities.

He says that the landscape is English’s is the richest historical record, and it would take a lot of efforts to write all about the English landscape. To explain the diversity of the English landscape, Hoskins says that one needs to be a botanist, a geographer, a historian and a naturalist to be able to understand all the components of English’s landscape. His statement prompts the reader to think and understand that English landscape entail a lot, and one cannot comprehend all that it covers.

Hoskins believes that in the period between 1570 and1770, England was the best place to live in but after colonialism and industrialization, the meaning and significance of landscape faded away. The English landscape is very diverse and in the books introduction, he describes various fascinating natural features which are among the many landscape features in England. He names a couple of features that have become tourist attraction sites and are a form of natural wealth of England. Hoskins stresses on regional diversity of the landscape, and he explains the historical and social process that led to the regional divide of the landscape.

He says that the various landscape features in the region were formed at different times and destruction of some features had contributed to the start of others. He creates emphasis on diversity when he says that one cannot walk a few steps without seeing different types of landscapes. He believes that the landscape features are very old, and he says that in every mile one travels, they can touch every century either knowingly or unknowingly. A major theme in his book is ‘antiquity’ is brought out by his description on the age of the landscape in England.

Hoskins is a historian with clear records of the past, and he has unlimited interest in the English landscape. His description of the past that can be seen in the present shows his great love for nature and would want the landscape preserved. He is passionate about nature since his book was the first narrative explaining the history of English landscape. Unlike modern researchers and history writers who estimate the history of English landscape to being a product of the 18 and 19th century, he believes that the English landscape has been in existence for many centuries.

He is bitter and agonized by changes that have occurred in the landscape after the world war and urbanization since they have led to the destruction of precious property and wealth.