The book traces Conor Jameson's travels in search of the Goshawk, a magnificent yet rarely seen (in Britain at least) raptor. Each episode of the narrative arises from personal experience, investigation, and the unearthing of information from research, exploration and conversations.
The journey takes him from an encounter with a stuffed Goshawk in a glass case, through travels into supposed Goshawk territories in Britain, to Berlin - where he finds the bird at ease in the city. Why, he wants to know, is the bird so rarely seen in Britain?
He explores the politics of birdwatching, the sport of falconry and the impact of persecution on the recent history of the bird in Britain and travels the length of Britain, through central Europe and the USA in search of answers to the goshawk mystery. Throughout his journey he is inspired by the writings of T H White who told of his attempts to tame a Goshawk in his much-loved book.
It's a gripping tale on the trail of a most mysterious and charismatic bird.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781472969170
Number of pages: 368
Weight: 298 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
As far as this book is concerned, you don’t need to have seen a goshawk to enjoy it. You don’t even need to want to see a goshawk to enjoy it. Conor’s cultured writing and enthusiasm for the natural world and the people, like him, who care about it, will carry you along through the chapters. - Mark Avery
It's a gripping tale on the trail of a most mysterious and charismatic bird. - Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report
...an interesting, thought-provoking and well-written book about this mysterious raptor. - The Guide
A great read, especially for those of you who like the Roger Deakin/ Richard Mabey school of narrative. - Peregrine, magazine of the Hawk and Owl Trust
The very uncertainty inherent in the search for the bird makes it a thoroughly engrossing, sometimes even tense, read, with his travels around the UK being mixed with disappointments and surprises in equal measure ... it’s a great book to dip into for inspiration any time your own personal Goshawk quest starts to feel like a lost cause. - Matt Merritt, editor of Birdwatch
Equally stirring as his Silent Spring Revisited... a passionate detective story... descriptive, at times poetic prose. - Devon Birds
I like Conor’s previous book, but I like this one even more. - Mark Avery, from his blog Standing up for Nature
This timely book is a satisfying mix of page-turning action and thoughtful speculation ... It is also a fine meditation on what its presence means to us. - BBC Wildlife reviews
While reading the highs and lows of searching for Goshawks I felt as though I had accompanied a friend on a mission. - British Birds reviews
I have read this book with immense pleasure. Perhaps it may trigger people to really observe birds, rather than tick them and put them on a list. Then what rewards! - Rob Bijlsma, Netherlands
The challenges that birds of prey face are laid bare, but this is an upbeat book, one to lift the heart and give hope for the future. - RSPB magazine
...stirring...a passionate detective story. - Devon Birds
Jameson ended up with much more than a glimpse of the bird, he came away with a better understanding of …Readers of Looking for the Goshawk will do the same, which is reason enough to recommend the book… Looking for the Goshawk provides an inspiration, no matter where you are, to get out and really look. - Conor Mark James, BirdersLibrary.com
...a rich body of work. ...provides a solid foundation which encourages us to look up. - Times Literary Supplement
This book establishes Jameson as a nature writer of the first rank. I defy anyone not to enjoy it. - Scottish Birds
...a thoroughly engrossing, sometimes even tense, read...a great book to dip into for inspiration. - Bird Watching
The reader is easily caught up in the author's excitement and eagerly follows his successes and sympathises with his frustrations. - Ibis (International Journal of avian science)
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