Colin Leslie
A very short but powerful novella. The calls for it to be censored make no sense to me, anyone reading this can see that Steinbeck is clearly empathising with a whole group of disenfranchised characters, the language, racism and sexism are all part of the characters lives and need to be read as a portrayal of reality rather than an author seeking to benefit from exploitation.
What a journey! It's taken me 30+ years to read this thing, I've started and given up numerous times. I'd built it up as a marathon and set myself to fail...until now. For some reason this time I waded in, kept my feet wet and before you knew it I couldn't stop reading. This thing is incredible, the level of detail, the beauty of the prose, the sheer depth is unbelievable. So why not 5 stars? Well it's still a monster of a book to grapple with. I doubt anyone could read this and absorb everything the first time so I'm leaving that final star for some future re-read, for now, I'll return to the rest of Tolkien's writing in a whole new light...the road goes ever on.
Well written and well researched but a hard book to love. The heroes are stripped naked and revealed in all their insecurities and weaknesses. This is hard to take for a fan of the comedy legends but the bigger problem was the darkness that pervades this tale. An all encompassing gloom that seems contradictory to the comic legends on the screen. Did they never laugh, were they never happy? I enjoyed the book but will keep my heroes pure and innocent and most importantly very, very funny.
Alan Vittery has had a remarkable life working as a diplomat around the world. At the same time he has been an active birder and has amassed a remarkable collection of stories and memories of both the places and the birds he has encountered (kudos too to Fraser Symonds for the wonderful cover art).
I met Alan in the 90's when he was based in Sutherland and was able to spend some time out birding with him. His remarkable ID skills led to some great finds (White's Thrush, Laughing Gull) in an area of the country with a distinct shortage of active birders. However, Alan's ability to find rarities has been questioned and actively scorned by others in the birding community. This book can be seen as controversial as it revisits some rarities that others would instantly dismiss. Crested Auklets at Brora would be a remarkable find and Alan's recollection and description make a good case but for many others, these sightings can never be certain, so are instantly dismissed.
The result is a book full of remarkable encounters but tinged with controversy and some sadness. I would suggest that most keen birders read the book and make your own mind up. At the very least it will incentivise you to go out and look for your own birds, who knows what is out there?
Intense, exciting and at times, laugh out loud funny. This is the story of the author's quest to see all the world Pittas in one year. These small, obscure and often difficult to see/identify birds, demonstrate perfectly how birding can become an obsession. The author's escape from the commuter belt into the jungles of Asia and beyond is compelling.
My only complaint is that the photographs of the Pittas are left to the end of the book. That makes it harder for the reader to connect with each species and I would have preferred species and habitat images throughout.
This book does portray the passion of birding brilliantly.
Not your normal ID guide. This book is basically a collection of bullet points but it works! Key ID features are outlined and diagnostic features highlighted. No pictures but in combination with other field guides this acts as a detailed supplement.
Roy Dennis has been at the forefront of progressive conservation in Scotland for over 60 years. During that time he has helped protect Ospreys, re-introduce Red Kites, translocate Red Squirrels to their former range and much, much more. Having had the pleasure of working with Roy, his natural enthusiasm and huge knowledge base is refreshing. This book manages to capture that spirit. It's a reflection on past projects but also a plea for the future. Roy is a pragmatist and likes to just do things, backed with his experience and knowledge we could all learn a thing or two about just getting out there and getting on with it.
Some essays are political but others are poetical. Roy takes us to remote places, shows us new and fascinating features of nature and tackles some of the big and controversial issues facing the environmental movement today.
But most importantly it's a great read, I raced through it and at the end felt inspired. How many books can you say that about.
Excellent summary of the status of birdlife in the region. This book also provides a comprehensive review of geology, soils, glaciation and climate and their relation to the special habitats of Sutherland. A list of key sites and some beautiful artwork and photography from Fraser Symonds round of a great resource for anyone planning a birding trip to the area. The list of rarities encountered makes you realise what a rich and diverse area it is.
Third edition of Bob MacMillan's excellent guide to all things ornithological on Skye. Starts with a general guide to habitats, conservation issues and a history of birdwatching and birders. This is followed by a site guide showing some of the best spots on the island. The bulk of the book is the systematic list giving sightings dates and a detailed roundup.
All in all, very comprehensive and a must have guide for anyone visiting the islands.