Audiobooks by John Wright

The Observant Walker: Wild Food, Nature and Hidden Treasures on the Pathways of Britain

When we go for a walk, whether in the countryside or city, we pass through landscapes full of natural beauty and curiosities both visible and invisible - but though we might admire the view, or wonder idly about the name of a flower, we rarely have the knowledge to fully engage with what we see. When we do, our sense of place is expanded, our understanding deepened and we can discover richness in even the most everyday stroll. John Wright has been leading forays around Britain for decades. As an expert forager, he shows people how to identify the edible species that abound - but he also reveals the natural history, stories and science behind our surroundings. Here, he takes us with him on eight walks: from verdant forests to wild coastlines, via city pavements, fields and rolling hills, he illuminates what can be found on a walk across any British terrain, and how you might observe and truly understand them, for yourself.

John Wright (Author), Peter Kenny (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

The Fight of Our Lives: The NHS Front Line and the Covid-19 Crisis

Go behind the scenes on the Covid wards of one of Britain's busiest hospitals, Bradford Royal Infirmary 2020 will forever be remembered as the year of coronavirus, but it's easy to forget the shock, fear and confusion that pervaded Britain as the pandemic first hit. In this exceptional radio series, senior NHS doctor and epidemiologist Professor John Wright takes us back to those crucial early days, giving us a first-hand account of one hospital's fight against COVID-19 and providing an invaluable oral history of this unique historical moment. Beginning on March 16th, the day the Prime Minister gave his first TV address about coronavirus and a week before the UK locked down, Wright and his front-line staff recorded the crisis that was happening in front of their eyes. In these 10 episodes, we listen to the pandemic unfold in real time as NHS doctors, nurses, managers and cleaners unite in a battle to save lives. We join them on the ground as they dash to find beds; make tough decisions about which patients receive ventilators; deal with the lack of testing and shortages of PPE; and are forced to tell families they can't visit their dying loved ones. And as increasing numbers of patients arrive on the Covid wards, those caring for them must face the very real threat of catching the virus themselves. Introduced and presented by Winifred Robinson, this extraordinary audio diary chronicles the amazing work being done by everyday NHS heroes, the sacrifices they routinely make and their willingness to go the extra mile in the face of an unprecedented emergency. Recorded by Professor John Wright with the staff and patients of Bradford Royal Infirmary Presented by Winifred Robinson Produced by Sue Mitchell Sound production by Richard Hannaford First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 March-26 May 2020 as The NHS Front Line

John Wright (Author), John Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

The Forager's Calendar

WINNER OF THE GUILD OF FOOD WRITERS AWARD FOR FOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 A month by month handbook for foraging in the woods, fields and seashores of Great Britain. Look out of your window, walk down a country path or go to the beach in Great Britain, and you are sure to see many wild species that you can take home and eat. From dandelions in spring to sloe berries in autumn, via wild garlic, samphire, chanterelles and even grasshoppers, our countryside is full of edible delights in any season. John Wright is the country's foremost expert in foraging and brings decades of experience, including as forager at the River Cottage, to this seasonal guide. Month by month, he shows us what species can be found and where, how to identify them, and how to store, use and cook them. You'll learn the stories behind the Latin names, the best way to tap a Birch tree, and how to fry an ant, make rosehip syrup and cook a hop omelette. With tips on kit, conservation advice and what to avoid, this is an indispensable guide for everyone interested in wild food, whether you want to explore the great outdoors, or are happiest foraging from your armchair. 'He writes so engagingly that it's hard to imagine that actual foraging can be more attractive...This book is a treasure." John Carey, The Sunday Times

John Wright (Author), John Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free