The book is written in a grammatical style someone thinks is the Yorkshire dialect. I did not find this difficult reading as I come from the north of England but I couldn't see the point. It's a bit like reading a book about King Alfred in English Saxon. Rather than embrace the wit and wisdom of Yorkshire folk, the book's use of the Yorkshire dialect will put off most people whilst the content was just not entertaining or funny. If I was from Yorkshire, I would be embarrassed by this book. The First Volume of the Yorkshire Ditties has been for some time out of print, and as there is a great demand for the very humorous productions of Mr. Hartley's pen.