DARTMOOR, classed by many as 'the last wilderness' in England, is unique.

Thus for any book about the moor to be successful, it has to register in both words and photos those qualities this four hundred, or so, square miles of bleak sinister but ever fascinating terrain possesses which make it different from all other upland areas in the land — a challenge indeed.

Those, however, who buy 'Dartmoor Through the Year', will find that its author, and photographer — Plymouth based Derek Tait — has risen to the challenge majestically, producing a stunning publication.

As the name suggests, the reader is taken through the four seasons, reading about and viewing the moor — north, south, east and west — in all its manifold moods and weather, the range of which on Dartmoor, surely will not be surpassed in these islands.

The author writes with concise pertinence and perception, every word relevant, indeed, essential. His brief but vivid introduction sets the tone, giving the publication the feel of thoughtful authenticity, while each of the near one hundred pages — all with photos — have captions or descriptive paragraphs, always fewer than a hundred words, each complimenting, explaining and informing regarding the vivid photography.

There are more than 160 in total taken by Derek Tait and Tina Cole, with the assistance of Tilly Barker, a panoply of plates of which even the most illustrious of photographers would be proud.

The range of colour and shade is immense — the grey granite of the tors, stone walls, Merrivale Quarry; the kaleidoscope of greens, from that of lush well watered summer grass, to the weary, feeble blush of emerald that is the barren terrain of the high moors in winter, the range of skies from the very occasional blue to the threatening darkness of a looming storm, the varied mottled hues of cattle, sheep, ponies, even butterflies.

Also, there are a dozen or so plates featuring the vibrant red of phone boxes and pillar boxes; these are effective in two ways — they add an uplifting splash of colour to scenes, especially those of winter, sombre and grey, and also they do, in a sense, epitomise man's determination to bring a modicum of modern communication to this sparsely populated, often harsh land.

For those living on or near the southern part of the moor there are photos of Tavistock, all a touch different from the 'usual suspects' which seemingly eternally dominate holiday postcards; these include a delightful one of Crebers' shop window with their imaginative commemorations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Princetown, naturally, and Burrator Reservoir are well featured, as are many moorland spots near Okehampton and, of course, well beyond; 'the lost wilderness' is covered comprehensively and memorable.

Derek Tait has produced a book which will be valued not just by those who are aficionados of all things to do with Dartmoor, but also by folk who enjoy the reading, perusing and possession of a publication of real quality, by a gifted experienced writer of local history.

'Dartmoor Through the Year' by Derek Tait, published by Amberley Publishing, ISBN 9781848683556 is available from Bookstop, Tavistock, at £14.99.

TED SHERRELL