Bird of Jove (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment, No 17)

Rating:
Summary: Rediculously written
Review: As an active falconer that takes a great interest in the use of golden eagles in the sport, I was looking forward to reading "Bird of Jove". However, it is distractingly romanticized and events are ridiculously portrayed. This is not what real falconry is like. For example, the eagle falconers of the east, whom Sam meets first in the book, supposedly "starve" their birds for "weeks on end", keep them "creully" hooded, only releasing them from their "shackles" to kill savagely. C'mon! I had to put down the book in disgust.

If you would like an authentic idea of what eagle falconry is like, complete with excellent and engrossing story-telling, I would highly recommend Steve Bodio's book "Eagle Dreams: Searching for Legends in Wild Mongolia" or, for a more practical point of view, Martin Hollenshead's "Hawking with Golden Eagles".



Rating:
Summary: One of the best personal accounts of a falconer.
Review: I read this book some 25 years ago. Several times in fact. I am delighted to find that it is back in print! The trials and triumphs described are great lessons for experienced as well as novice falconers. A good object lesson for analyzing the personal preparations for handling such a large and powerful raptor.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC, a true work of love & pain to tame a true killer.
Review: Sam Barnes deserves our utmost respect for the huge efforts he made to bring a Berkut Golden Eagle from behind the iron curtain to the county side of wales. Once he received her his "battles" had just begun. He had to tame a raptor that could easily kill him with her talons as she had killed wolves in the wild. Mr. Barnes discribes the sad treatment Atalanta recieved by her cruel captors, the tender affection she showed for an "adopted" owlet and the savagery which always lurked just below the surface of this beautiful creature.If you love animals, raptors or a good story about a person who wanted to make a difference using will, love and patience do not miss this book.At the end you will want it to go on and on.