"Maynard Davies, the last of the traditional bacon apprentice-boys, and now retired master-curer, shares here with the reader his lifetime's knowledge of the art of smoking and curing. In this practical manual Maynard explains, step-by-step, how he did it all in his day - from choosing the best raw ingredients, to building one's own smokehouse, to the secrets of making the best sausage. After working in the profession for 60 years, Maynard wants to pass on his expertise to the next generation, in the hope that enthusiasts will get as much satisfaction from producing their own hams, bacons,...

A young couple, from very different backgrounds, work hard to build a happy life together. Then fate intervenes with dreadful consequences. A terrible act of revenge means that a tiny baby is lost to the family. How will the child's life unfold when she is bought from the workhouse for the sum of just one guinea? What does destiny hold in store for her? Based on events in his own family, tales of which have been passed down through the generations, Maynard weaves a story of love and loss in 19th century rural England.