As my husband and I were pondering our move from City to Country Life, this book was given to us as a gift, and we found it to be an absolute joy! The short chapters make it amazingly easy to pick up for short reading spurts. Each chapter tells it's own story of Joan's sometimes hilarious, sometimes frightening, but always entertaining adventures from biochemist to shepherdess. Her willingness to poke fun at her obvious naivety regarding sheep is refreshing. Everyone we've loaned our book to has found it very entertaining. You'll be amazed at what you learn about sheep! (We now have our own flock of 25 ... be careful!)

I am here to buy this book for my mom. Though she is the furthest thing from a shepardess, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys honest accounts of personal growth. The stories within this book speak of life on a lot of levels - the intellectual life of a mother, the daily physical challenges of the farm, the relationships people have with animals, and the personal goals of an individual. These greater themes are communicated through beautiful, funny, visceral, and heart-wrenching stories. At the very least, you will have a new perspective on sheep! All in all, it is a moving, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating book. A pretty quick read too - I imagine the short chapters with self contained stories would make it an ideal book for the traveler.

Shepherdess is a delightful book that kept me laughing throughout, it reminds me of the James Herriots "All Things Bright and Beautiful." In this true story Joan tells of the transition from research biochemistry to shepherdess with all the changes of image, the loss of romance and the discovery of self. Tis is a great book to read aloud and share the laughter. While there is information that would be helpful for someone looking to make this transition, it' really a good read for everyone.