The Know Your ... series of books is ideal for novice enthusiasts of all ages. For his fifth book, Jack Byard has selected 29 breeds of pigs. These include all those you are likely to see in the UK on farms or at rare breeds centres.

Some are old favourites such as the Berkshire, one of which, the fictional Empress of Blandings, was the subject of Lord Emsworth's devotion in books by PG Wodehouse. Others are new commercial breeds, the types you will see in pig arks on farm land, such as the Meidam and the Hybrid AC1.

Among a third group of breeds are some which you might see on holidays abroad or which have an intrinsic interest, such as the American Choctaw.

Every breed has two pages devoted to it: a full page photograph opposite which are a clear description of the animals and some notes about the breed history and current status. The author makes an impassioned plea for the preservation of those breeds which are currently endangered.