Up and Down in the Dales

By Gervase Phinn

Book Overview

Here is Gervase Phinn's fourth book of reminiscences about life as a Yorkshire Dales school inspector that will continue to delight and charm fans across the globe. Life for the Gervase Phinn is about to become not unlike the rambling hills of the Dales themselves--up and down and all over the place. After a routine school inspection--and a rather brutal report--culminates with a teacher being forced into early retirement, Gervase is left feeling his year hasn't exactly begun on the right foot. Then the news that his local school is closing down, the accidental demolishment of an historical church (disguised as a disused barn in his backyard), and an injured knee which puts him into hospital. And still Gervase manages to gallantly retain his sense of humor throughout, making this a delightful, charming, and thoroughly entertaining read.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141011319
• ISBN13: 9780141011318
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Very entertaining

Gervase Phinn is an interesting writer; if you enjoyed James Herriott, you will enjoy these stories about teaching and life in Yorkshire.

Funny, heartwarming, beautifully written

Thank goodness I have discovered the wonderful prolific writer of the Yorkshire Dales, Gervase Phinn. His marvelous stories about his life as an English school inspector were a daily breath of fresh air as I moved from chapter to chapter, learning about Mr. Phinn, his worthy colleagues and the many bright and entertaining children he visited throughout Yorkshire. Highly recommended for teachers and any adult who has not lost the child in themselves.

A celebration of the teaching profession

This whole series is a hoot. Everyone who has ever been a teacher, everyone who has ever been in a classroom will delight in these books. They are not only fun but they raise some interesting contrasts between British and American schooling. After retirement I did substitute teaching for nine years and only once did I ever have the privilege of a supervisor observing me. Now I know why the Brits have it all over us in the educational field.