Echoes from a Cornish Cliff - Pauline Ruffles

Written by a close friend of the subjects, Echoes from a Cornish Cliff is the heart-warming, true story of two pioneers of the The Good Life - Jean and Derek Tangye - who left glittering London careers and privileged lifestyles to take on the challenge of a derelict cottage and six scrubby, moorland acres on the edge of a cliff in west Cornwall, almost half a century before the idea became "fashionable".

From an unpromising beginning they carved a cosy, self-sufficient home and productive market garden and in 1961, eleven years after taking up residence, Derek Tangye wrote the first of his best-selling Minack Chronicles, beautifully illustrated by his wife, Jean. Their dedication, fortitude and courage in the face of countless setbacks and financial disasters never wavered and they unlocked the secret of true happiness by being close to nature and taking pleasure in very simple things - the true values of life.

You may already live in a rural area, or plan to escape to the country, or perhaps you have an interest in nature conservation or a self-sufficient lifestyle. You may simply care about Britain's beautiful natural landscape and wildlife. If you answer "yes" to any of the above, this book is for you.