An inspirational, fascinating book about a group of prisoners of war and the surprising hobby that united them in the face of adversity. A hymn to ornithology, determination and strength of character, Birds in a Cage shed light on the wartime experiences of individuals who made immense contributions to post-war conservation.
At Warburg, Germany, in 1941, four British PoWs find an unexpected means of escape from the horrors of internment when they form a birdwatching society, and embark on an obsessive quest behind barbed wire.
Through their shared love of birds, they overcome hunger, hardship, fear and stultifying boredom. Their quest draws in not only their fellow prisoners, but also some of the German guards, at great risk to them all...
Derek Niemann draws on original diaries, letters and drawings, to tell of how Conder, Barrett, Waterston and Buxton were forged by their experiences as POWs into the giants of post war wildlife conservation. Their legacy lives on, in institutions such as the RSPB and the British Wildlife Trust.
Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781780721361
Number of pages: 320
Weight: 222 g
Dimensions: 195 x 128 x 24 mm
This was a really enjoyable light read for me as a non-birdwatcher.
(My natural history tastes lie elsewhere!)
I think this stemmed from the fact that this book isn't so much about birdwatching as it is about...
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I bought this book because of my interest in birding and knowing some of the ornithological connections of those involved. What I found was so much more than that. It taught me much about the difficulties of enduring... More
Birds In A Cage by Derek Niemann
Beautiful! Absolutely love this book. I could read it again right away. THIS BOOK IS STRANGE AND FUNNY AND GORGEOUS AND DEVESTATING AND COMPLETELY WONDERFUL, and it has pictures
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