The South Downs has throughout history been a focus of English popular culture. With chalkland, their river valleys and scarp-foot the Downs have been shaped for over millennia by successive generations of farmers, ranging from Europe's oldest inhabitants right up until the 21st century. '... possibly the most important book to have been written on the South Downs in the last half-century ... The South Downs have found their perfect biographer.' - Downs Country AUTHOR: Dr Peter Brandon was a prolific author of books about Sussex, and a knowledgeable and inspirational speaker. He inspired many landscape geographers and historians, residents and visitors with his natural enthusiasm for his beloved Sussex countryside. He was Vice-President of the Sussex branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and President of the South Downs Society.