A cautionary tale - Rated 
This is, indeed, a cautionary tale. Richard Craze takes you through the problems and prospects of moving to the country. It may seem an idyllic step, may seem like the sensible thing to do if you live in a city, but don't allow yourself to be carried away on a wave of optimism.
Craze lists all the options you may have identified as positive reasons for moving to the country - healthy, less stressful, grow your own food, safer for the kids, finding a sense of community, getting back to nature. They may seem laudable and welcome, but each has its downside. Craze plays devil's advocate, taking each positive reason for a move and inviting you to see them as potential negatives.
Safer for the kids? Not if there are no pavements, narrow winding roads, tractors and cars rushing by, and so on. And where's the nearest school? Sense of community? Do you really think you'll be made welcome - I speak as a Scot, from a rural area, who is not exactly enamoured by an influx of 'white settlers' driving up housing prices and driving local people off the land.
Overall, I found this an excellent corrective to the flood of books encouraging you to quit the city and take to the country, usually adopting an overly-optimistic and idealistic tone. If you are a city dweller and harbour illusions that the country will offer you an idyllic and stimulating environment, read this, read this, and read it again.
Get your head out of the clouds - Rated
This book is very down to earth and if you have your head in the clouds thinking that moving from your city abode to a home in the countryside will be a bed of roses then think again. This book will bring you down to earth with one great big bang.
Each chapter starts with a myth about living in the countryside (although some are a bit daft) then goes on to outline the reality and what you can do to prepare for it. For example you might want a beautiful view from your window but unless you own the view yourself it may become an industrial estate in 12 months time so check planning applications before you buy. Other advice such as logs for your hearth have to be collected, sawn or chopped, and growing your own vegetables can be hard work, are all common sense but I guess some people think it will all be plain sailing.
So whilst the tone of the book might seem rather pessimistic, it serves as a reality check for anyone with their head in the clouds.
Personally I think anyone who wants to Escape to the Country should serious think what they are escaping from, and then do it anyway.
If you're going to read this, the you should aslo read this. - Rated 
Interesting. But try A PLACE IN MY COUNTRY: In Search of a Rural Dream.
I'm biased, but then I did Richard's book, after I have to say I wrote my own book.
Books about moving to the country can leave the reader space to draw their own conclusions. I'm not sure Out of Your Townie Mind does.
Townie fantasy - Rated 
I just couldn't make my mind up about this book, is it serious advice for townies or is it supposed to be a humorous look at the misconceptions that they have about the countryside.
If the former then Richard Craze just comes across as supercilious, condescending and arrogant in his attitude to countryside dwellers. If its an attempt at humour it just doesn't work for the same reasons.
As an ex-crofter I do know a few things about living the "good life", it isn't sitting with your feet up, watching things grow and drinking home made beer or cider, its bloody hard work! One example in his book are his comments about wood-burning stoves. We used to light ours in the autumn and it was kept alight until the spring providing heat and hot water! As John Seymour said, wood keeps you warm twice, when you cut it and when you burn it.
Sorry, but I think I'll use this book to light the fire.
tells it like it is............................ - Rated
As an avid telly watcher of all those move to the country/house buying and making a profit programmes etc (you know the ones!!!) I almost die laughing at the townies in raptures about wood burning stoves, open fires, the "lovely views" (I could go on but you know the sort of thing) I shout at the TV (maybe I should get out more) wood burning stoves/open fires need WOOD and as Mr Craze so rightly says needs to be chopped - and not always on a lovely summer's evening but on a wet foggy and rainy November! Also you don't live in a view but in the house you idiots! This book tells it like it is - he knows what he's talking about! Those who don't like this book are just humourless and probably are annoyed that their rural dream has been shattered. I gave this four stars because I think it doesn't cover all aspects - it could do with an expanded edition (did you know that rural areas are often the last to be hooked up again when there are powercuts? If you're really remote you need your own generator) and oh yes a large chest freezer too........... if your local large supermarket is twenty miles away you will probably not be popping down there every couple of days but will probably do a monthly shop which means places to store all that food! very very funny !!!
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