Reviews of Fighting for Birds

Reviews of Fighting for Birds:

 

Chris Packham in the book’s Foreword and on his website:  …if you have any real interest in the workings of saving species and their habitats then it’s a tremendously rewarding ‘must read’ Full review

Peter Marren in British Wildlife: It is wise, it is punchy, it is funny, it is thought-provoking, and best of all, it lives up to its title in showing how every inch of the way has, indeed, been a fight. Full review

Bill Oddie in BBC Wildlife: it should be read by RSPB members past, present and potential – which means anyone interested in British conservation.

Peter Lack in Ibis: …the other 13 chapters which are the meat of the book, and should be required reading for anyone with aspirations to be an advocate for conservation, and especially for anyone who has any influence on environmental policy.

Stephen Moss in Birdwatch: ‘great fun to read‘, ‘What also marks this book out is Avery’s eye for a telling phrase to describe a key moment‘ and ‘a must read for anyone who cares about the future of birds on this crowded island‘. Full review

Mike Everett in British Birds: …it should be used to make a lot of people sit up and take notice.  I also hope that the publishers can somehow sell thousands and thousands of copies. Full review

Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology: If you know an aspiring young conservationist, this book will be a perfect present. Full review

Keith Betton in Birding World: I found myself agreeing with about 80% of his views, but regardless I learned a lot from his experiences.

Kate Ashbrook on her blog: thank you Mark for a thought-provoking, amusing and fascinating book.  Full review

Michael McCarthy, environment editor, Independent newspaper: Dr Avery, now Britain’s premier wildlife blogger, was thus at the very heart of all the conservation and wildlife protection battles of recent times, from windfarms to persecution of birds of prey by landowners. Indeed, he was a prime mover in many of them, and his spiky and opinionated account – there are quite a few people he doesn’t like – is not only immensely instructive, but gripping.‘ Full review

Ireland’s Wildlife: If you work in nature conservation, or simply love nature and wildlife, buy it and read it. It’s an education! Full review.

John Armitage in his blog:  The reader will soon find that the pragmatic and logical approach taken towards some pretty hefty issues is consistent and is combined with a writing style that is light and entertaining, educational and presents summarized information which leads the reader to a better understanding of the various subjects under examination. Full review

Ceri Levy in his blog: Fighting for Birds is an extraordinary work. It explains most aspects of conservation in a succinct, intelligible way that makes one want to pick up the gauntlet and do what one can to join the fight for birds. Inspirational and enlightening it may be but most of all it shows exactly where we are in our race to save our wildlife and urges us all to do more. You want to be a conservationist? Then read this book. Full review.

RSPB Birds magazine: If you want to understand more of the complexities , including politics, of the RSPB’s work, this would be a good buy.

Andrew Lucas in Nature Cymru: If you are a young person, maybe starting out on a career in nature conservation, ‘Fighting for Birds’ should be in your induction pack. Full review.

Rob Yorke in Countryfile magazine:  Mark Avery is a troublemaker – but in a good way. Full review

The RSPB’s Martin Harper on his blog: The book is everything you’d expect from Mark: beautifully written, instructive, forthright and fun. Full review

Bo Beolens,  fatbirder: I knew that Mark is a passionate conservationist, what I hadn’t really taken on board is what a fluent writer he is too. Full review

Andy Clements, CEO of the BTO:  Chris Packham read it from start to finish without stopping – I took only two or three sittings. It’s a compelling read. A book of this nature, at its best, should inform, entertain, provoke thought, and even move the reader, and Mark managed all of these with me. Full review

John Bowers in ECOS 33 (3-4): I couldn’t put it down. It is a damned good read packed with interesting information and insider insights into some of the classic conservation battles of the period. All students of conservation should read it.

John Miles in Birdwatching: Mark has done a great job writing his experiences and thoughts down, and any one interested in the natural world in any way will get something out of this book

Pete Etheridge, on his blog: Fighting for Birds is unlike any book I’ve read before.  Factual, yes.  Absorbing, as much as any novel.  Opinionated, certainly.  Pulls its punches – absolutely not.  From the moment I picked it up, I struggled to put it down.  This is not some glorified autobiography but a candid look back over 25 years spent working in nature conservation. Full review

Jon Dunn of Shetland Wildlife on Facebook: These are the carefully argued and clear opinions of a dedicated conservationist, and like the rest of this at times entertaining and always enjoyable book, they make for compelling and, dare I say it, essential reading.   Full review

Kate Ashbrook on her blog: thank you Mark for a thought-provoking, amusing and fascinating book. Full review.

Matt Adam Williams on his website For anyone interested in nature, wildlife or conservation in the UK I would highly recommend this book. Full review

Ken Smith in Herts Wildlife Trust magazine: This is a brilliant book that deserves to be widely read. I can guarantee that it will make you see some conservation issues in a new light.

Anne Rogers on her website: a terrific book and a great read. Full review

Nicholas Milton on his website:  if the RSPB wants more of its members and staff to engage with the issues that really count they could do a lot worse than to give away a copy of Mark’s book with membership and make it compulsory reading for any new member of staff joining the society. That would be a fitting tribute to his 25 years in the front line of conservation.  Full review

The Friends of Charles Darwin website: Avery is also particularly good on the politics of conservation.  Full review

Andrew Cameron blog: very good, very interesting and…enlightening.  Full review

 

Read the 21 5-star reviews on Amazon – and then buy it!