CUMBRIA - The Lake District and Its County by John Wyatt. Published by Robert Hale. £50. ISBN 0-7090-7440-9 OFTEN coffee table books on the Lake District are over-dependent on photos and anodyne commentaries, but that fate has not befallen this hardback by John Wyatt, former chief warden of the national park.

Whether your interest is people, architecture or even the arts, this part-history, part-tourist guide leaves no stone unturned.

A particular point in its favour is its extensive geographical reach. The periphery of the county has a deep and interesting history; Mr Wyatt makes a special endeavour to illuminate previously ignored parts of the county, glossed over in favour of the better-known Lake District proper.

The result shows that it was well worth the effort. Furness and West Cumbria's industrial heritage is included, as is Kendal's origins in wool.

This attention to detail does have its disadvantages; while you cannot fault the quality of the research, the book has nearly 600 pages and the text can be onerous at times.

This is offset in part by some well-chosen photographs and some colourful literary and poetic references.

It would be remiss not to highlight the £50 price, but for anyone who has an appetite beyond the many general histories on offer, it would merit the investment.

Overall, this book is a creditable heir to predecessors such as Wainwright we are lucky that John Wyatt has put his unparalleled experience to lasting use.

Its size would stop it being carried out as a companion on the fells, but it would be a worthy stalwart of any bookshelf.

Kieran Joglekar