It is around now that this blog would normally list its books of the year, but this year you’ll have to wait until the very end of the year for that list.
However, it is surely worth noting that this Christmas, and every other day from now on, there is quite a choice of books that will touch on, or in some cases collide with, the subject of grouse shooting in one way or another. Here are some of them:
Sky Dancer by Gill Lewis – reviewed here
A strong contender for this blog’s Book of 2017 but I haven’t yet fully decided.
Bowland Beth by David Cobham – reviewed here
Plenty to like in this book but a bit short of good analysis of the issues
The Hen Harrier by Donald Watson – a reissue of the classic text reviewed here
A classic – and always will be.
My own offering, Inglorious – see reviews here
Having spent yesterday breaking the back of doing my tax return, I’d very much appreciate some more sales please.
On its way, and I have dipped in to the text in a pdf version, Killing by Proxy, the latest book from Alan Stewart the former Tayside policeman
I’m looking forward to reviewing this book here.
And last, and very much least, the Game Conservancy’s awful offering, The Moorland Balance, better known as The Bluffer’s Guide to Moorland Mismanagement reviewed here with more detail in the following, Moorland Imbalance 1, Moorland Imbalance 2, Moorland Imbalance 3, Moorland Imbalance 4, Moorland Imbalance 5 and Moorland Imbalance 6
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I too have an original Hen Harrier and don’t think I will be buying the new edition. I will be ordering Alan Stewarts’ book this week, reminds me I must mail him about it. I’ve read Skydancer, Bowland Beth and Inglorious, all very different of course. I loved Skydancer a really good book I think really aimed at the younger reader but nonetheless enjoyed by this 66 year old.
I really wanted to enjoy Bowland Beth and whilst I did on parts for me it was a missed opportunity lots of the things that might have been discussed were missed and a little of it did not ring true. It might have helped if David had talked to more of us involved in harriers. however I would still say all those interested in harriers should read it, Beth or Betty was an iconic Hen Harrier that in some ways changed things.
Inglorious I read when it first came out and will do so again soon ( don’t get too big headed Mark!) it is a great book, a good read and deals with all the issues raptor enthusiasts need to understand about grouse shooting and harriers but not just harriers.
One of the things we are really missing is a good book about Short-eared Owls based on birds in the UK. Derek Scotts book on Long-eared Owl is also long out of print( and I haven’t a copy) a good Honey Buzzard book would be good too. On a different subject I’d like a good guide to both social and solitary wasps too!
Inglorious is a must for anyone interested in conservation campaigning. The Hen Harrier is the icon for the bigger issue that is upland mismanagement on tracts of private (and some public) estates largely funded through the public purse. It raises the profile of illegal raptor persecution and wildlife crime. It is a good campaign tool and it also (importantly in my view) provides a reference source of further reading – something lacking in some other books.
Bowland Beth, mmh yes I’ve read it but was disappointed, too politically correct perhaps?
The Hen Harrier reprint, as described a classic.
Thanks for reminding me Paul about Derick Scott’s (1997) The Long-eared Owl, consumerfest might be a good time to relocate it on my shelves and reread it.