Falcon

By: Helen Macdonald

Narrated by: Helen Macdonald

Bestselling author Helen Macdonald explores the natural and cultural history of the falcon.

The fastest animal alive, the falcon deserves attention not just for the combination of speed, power, beauty and ferocity that have made it an object of fascination for thousands of years, but for the light it sheds on the cultures through which it has flown. This book, bridging science and cultural history, surveys the practical and symbolic uses of falcons in human culture in new and exciting ways.

Bestselling natural history writer Helen Macdonald follows the movements of the falcon, her personal experience and knowledge of falconry enriching the history and lore of this bird of prey. She ranges across the globe and over many millennia, taking in natural history, myth and legend, falconry, science and conservation, and falcons in the military, in urban settings and the corporate world. Along the way we discover how falcons were mobilized in secret military projects, their links with espionage, the Third Reich and the space programme, and even how they have featured in erotic stories.

Originally published in 2006, this new format edition features a new introduction. Combining in-depth practical, personal and scientific knowledge, Macdonald offers a fascinating account of the place of these birds in human history. Falcon is for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers or anyone fascinated by these captivating birds.

"This is a wonderful book. It is not a falconry text, nor is it a falcon biology or a conservation one. Macdonald's slim volume is far more ambitious: it is an attempt to capture and indeed explain the essence of the falcon. This is simply a most beautifully considered social history of the genus Falco … it informs and provokes in equal measure … Macdonald writes beautifully and with a refreshing clarity."—The Falconer

(P)2018 Recorded Books

Helen Macdonald scores again!

I am now a devoted fan of both hawks and falcons, and Helen Macdonald. If you want to know more about these fascinating birds, or just love to listen to her narrate, this book is not you. If you’re looking for a more emotional account, I’d recommend H is for Hawk.

The information and enthusiasm

I am very happy this book was created. I have a strong connection with Falcons and Hawks. This book gave me more insights on what I can learn from them.

poor experience

narrative style is irritating sound quality is poor this has been an overall frustrating user experience

Such a disappointment but probably not . . .

Such a disappointment but probably not in the way you may expect. Despite my great love of falcons and my great delight in finding this book and its author, I was not able to audibly "peruse" it as I had hoped. No perusing here. The author, obviously extremely knowledgeable, and quick in more ways than one, unfortunately reads like a champion horse at the races. She was off and running and long gone before I could manage to catch my breath. "Wait! Wait! I'm coming! Please slow down! I so want to hear all of your story!" But it was not to be. Several attempts yielded the same result. I was left in her verbal dust. So sad.

And no, there will be no visual reading of this book for me - not something I can manage. So I will say "Ta-ta!" and wish you well, Ms. Macdonald. Perhaps at some point up the line a means to access the rest of this story will reveal itself. That would be lovely. I look forward to it.

PS: I would have preferred not to rate the book at all (not fair to the author) but was not allowed to review without those ratings.