Falconry - Myths & Legends: The Art Of Falconry

Sunday Mail: "The ultimate falconry guide for the novice and the expert. "Rarely do I come across a book that is written by a specialist who has as much passion for a subject, as he has genuine knowledge. No stone is unturned, written with a fondness for birds of prey that leaps from the pages. Many of us have said 'It was a book I couldn't put down' referring to a novel. Rarely is it said about a non-fiction book, but there were times when I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The tale of a young hawk that is taken from its nest by a male eagle for food, but raised to adulthood by his female partner, is one of many inspiring anecdotes that melts the heart. "5/5, without question."

Falconry is the ancient art of taking wild quarry (wild game) with a trained bird of prey. It is a sport, without question, but in the right hands it is an art-form. Good falconry is the finest sport in the world; bad falconry the very worst! As with all arts, falconry is better practised by those who have the talent, and more important, those who have the gift of understanding. As with all field sports, it is only a success in the hands of those dedicated enough to do it justice. Raptors are not pets. They have very special needs, and the field is where the skills and competence of a falconer are judged. Is it possible to learn falconry from a book and be proficient at it? Anyone can read the ‘Highway Code’from cover to cover, but that doesn’t make them a driver. Obviously you need to get hands-on with a hawk, but it is perfectly practical to learn the rudiments from a book before you go any further. Many people who are experts in the field, started with a literary helping hand from Phillip Glasier, Jemima Parry-Jones and/or Emma Ford. 'Falcony - Myths & Legends' is that first step.