Overview

Based on a true story, a family of award-winning cheese makers on a large estate in Cheshire, England enjoys the tail end of Britain's longest period of peace and prosperity, often referred to as the gracious, spacious days . The Bebbington family is led by Joseph and Mary and consists of ten boys and two girls. As tenants on a 100-acre farm called Rawhead within the great Ballantyne Estate, they produce milk and Cheshire cheese in the heart of England's famed dairy country. The family enters their cheese in local fairs and competes with other farmers and religiously attend their local Methodist church. The family spends Sunday afternoons playing football and drink ginger beer. Robert Bryden, the only son of the estate's owner Gilbert Bryden, marries against his father's wishes to Heidi Moore, daughter of an imminent Scottish family. Bertie and Robert Bryden form a lasting friendship after Bertie comes to his aid on a ride near Ballantyne. Clem joins the Navy. Boy scouts visit the farm. Then World War I begins. Sam, Bert, and Andrew join the service within weeks. Sam and Bertie are deemed unfit for combat duty so they join the Army Service Corps as animal stewards. Andrew travels to Salisbury to join the 13th Rifle Brigade. Lying about his age, Philip joins the Cheshire Regiment. The gracious, spacious days are over.

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9781733999212

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Reviews

Jon Bebbington has truly caught the atmosphere of the Cheshire countryside, so familiar to me. His knowledge of life on a rural tenant farm in the early 1900s brings this book to life. Vivid descriptions, combined with historical accuracy, capture the cruel turmoil of the Great War and the fears of the unknown by those on the battlefields, and the loved ones left at home. Combining the horrors of war and the tears of a loss, I found RAWHEAD excellent read. Dr. Lynn Bristow Cook, Ph.D. Rawhead is a work of historical and military fiction penned by author Jon Bebbington. Based on the real experiences of the author and his family during the First World War, we find ourselves in the idyllic Cheshire countryside of England. A family of tenant farmers is about to encounter the most terrifying prospect the human population has ever seen: a world war. As the impact of the war is felt at home on the farmland, the young men of Cheshire are sent off to fight, causing yet more heartache for those left at home. But the horrors those men face on the European mainland are secrets that they will either take home deeply buried in their minds or be buried with them. What I enjoyed most about this immersive work of historical fiction was the comprehensive view it gives of both those facing battle and those at home with very little idea of the reality of what their loved ones are facing. There was an acute sense of fear throughout the tale which was very well created, and it's clear that author Jon Bebbington used both accurate research and strong personal memories (of his great-grandfather and his siblings) to build the tale. The narrative often feels like a memoir, contributing to that powerful, nostalgic sense of realism, and the details given of the battlefield are not so graphic that this book couldn't be read by all ages who are curious about the real experiences of people in the Great War. Overall, Rawhead is an important and engaging piece of historical fiction. Author K. C. Finn for Readers' Favorite, LLC (Publisher's Note: This novel is based upon the experiences of the author's grandfather and his siblings, not of the author himself.)

Jon Bebbington has truly caught the atmosphere of the Cheshire countryside, so familiar to me. His knowledge of life on a rural tenant farm in the early 1900s brings this book to life. Vivid descriptions, combined with historical accuracy, capture the cruel turmoil of the Great War and the fears of the unknown by those on the battlefields, and the loved ones left at home. Combining the horrors of war and the tears of a loss, I found RAWHEAD excellent read. Dr. Lynn Bristow Cook, Ph.D. Rawhead is a work of historical and military fiction penned by author Jon Bebbington. Based on the real experiences of the author and his family during the First World War, we find ourselves in the idyllic Cheshire countryside of England. A family of tenant farmers is about to encounter the most terrifying prospect the human population has ever seen: a world war. As the impact of the war is felt at home on the farmland, the young men of Cheshire are sent off to fight, causing yet more heartache for those left at home. But the horrors those men face on the European mainland are secrets that they will either take home deeply buried in their minds or be buried with them. What I enjoyed most about this immersive work of historical fiction was the comprehensive view it gives of both those facing battle and those at home with very little idea of the reality of what their loved ones are facing. There was an acute sense of fear throughout the tale which was very well created, and it's clear that author Jon Bebbington used both accurate research and strong personal memories (of his grandfather and his siblings) to build the tale. The narrative often feels like a memoir, contributing to that powerful, nostalgic sense of realism, and the details given of the battlefield are not so graphic that this book couldn't be read by all ages who are curious about the real experiences of people in the Great War. Overall, Rawhead is an important and engaging piece of historical fiction. Author K. C. Finn for Readers' Favorite, LLC

Author Information

Jon Bebbington was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and raised in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA and two master's degrees from the University of Colorado. Early in his career he worked for a nonprofit legal organization and later as an engineer. He has traveled the globe pursuing his many interests including sailing, rock climbing, scuba diving and family history in the US and England. The author lives in South Carolina with his three rescued dogs Andy, Darla, and Emma. He is currently at work on his next novel.

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