Dorset Cider by Alan Stone

Title: Dorset Cider With An Excursion to The New Forest
Author: Alan Stone
Year: 2014
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 158
Price new: £10.15 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description:
Mainly the back stories of Dorset and New Forest cider producers. I will update these comments when I have read the book properly.

On the back of the book it says:
"The heritage of cider in the county of Dorset has been a largely neglected area - some had even suggested it did not exist.
Alan Stone decided to investigate and found a fascinating rich rural heritage of orchards, apples, cider-makers and cider characters together with a whole host of new producers who are not only keeping the traditions alive but are taking them into new ground.
This is essential reading for anyone who is interested in Dorset and anyone who is interested in cider. As well as covering 1,000 years of cider heritage, over 20 current producers, a number of pubs and other venues and events are detailed to help the reader explore cider in the county today."

Buying From Amazon

Most of the book prices I will quote are from Amazon, I don't gain anything out of this and I'm not a big fan of Amazon it's just because I have an account with them and buy most of my books from them. They have most of the books I will be blogging about, (including many hard to find books) and they are often the cheapest place to get them.

Some of these books are available used for one penny (£0.01) plus postage (usually £2.80 per item) I believe when this happens the seller makes their money on the difference between £2.80 and the actual amount they spend on postage. Some of the books are from charity shops or other non-profit making organisations.

Sometimes it's cheaper to buy new books than to buy used ones but also quite often at the bottom of the list of available copies you will see book dealers offering a copy at an unrealistically high price.

If you buy used books in 'good' or 'very good' condition you may often struggle to find any fault in the condition of the book

Cider Enthusiasts Manual by Bill Bradshaw

Title:               Cider Enthusiasts Manual

Author: Bill Bradshaw

Year: 2014

Format:         Hardback

Page Count: 182

Price new:      £11.02 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description:

A Haynes Manual on cider, containing lots of pretty pictures and sections on 'Apples and Orcharding', 'Cidermaking', related drinks, cooking etc. And plenty of other 'Useful Stuff'.

On the back of the book it says:

"In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in cider around the world, with businesses investing millions to meet the growing demand. At the same time many people now want to try to make their own cider, and the Cider Manual is here to help. After providing a general background to the world of cider, it will take the reader step-by-step through the entire process from the philosophy of approach and growing apple trees through to cider making for pleasure and profit.

• Origins of cider and history of apples.
• Global cider types and cider derivatives.
• The cider-making process.
• A traditional approach vs modern approach.
• The straw pressing method.
• Basic cider science.
• Advanced techniques.
• Rules and regulations for selling to the public.
• Cider as an ingredient in cooking.
• The cider maker's year.

Bill Bradshaw is a freelance photographer and writer. He started photographing cider in 2004 as part of a documentary project and travels internationally exploring cider cultures. He judges at cider competitions, including the oldest and largest in the world - The Royal Bath  & West Show. He lives in Somerset, in the heart of cider-making country and blogs at IAMCIDER.blogspot.com"

What's It All About ?

I have a cider book buying habit. In this blog I aim to provide facts on books about cider that I own or have read, whilst trying to avoid giving an opinion.

I believe books about cider can be broadly divided into 4 categories, books on cider making, orcharding, food and drink recipes and everything else which I'd call cider appreciation. It's that last category which interests me.

Currently I have about 40 books on cider (not all read yet) and intend to post details on one a week.

Do you want more information on a book ? Is there a book not covered here that you'd like some information on ? (I may already have it) that's what the comments section is for, you can post anonymous comments too. 

Any encouragement will be most gratefully accepted.

Thank

tb