The Ravenmaster

My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

By: Christopher Skaife

Narrated by: Christopher Skaife

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

For centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones themselves. But their role is even more important than that – legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust, and great harm will befall the kingdom.

One man is personally responsible for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass – the Ravenmaster. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens’ formidable intelligence, their idiosyncrasies and their occasionally wicked sense of humour.

Over the years in which he has cared for the physical and mental well-being of these remarkable birds, Christopher Skaife has come to know them like no one else. They are not the easiest of charges – as he reveals, they are much given to mischief, and their escapades have often led him into unlikely, and sometimes even undignified, situations.

Now, in the first intimate behind-the-scenes account of life with the ravens of the Tower, the Ravenmaster himself shares the folklore, history and superstitions surrounding both the birds and their home. The result is a compelling, inspiring and irreverent story that will delight and surprise anyone with an interest in British history or animal behaviour.

©2018 Christopher Skaife (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Packed with insight and anecdote, his story brings the Tower ravens to vivid life, each bird with a personality of its own. I've been fortunate enough to tour the Tower and meet the ravens a few times in years past; after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back." (George R. R. Martin)

"He is a born storyteller." (Evening Standard)

"A born storyteller with a gift for banter honed by years in the British army, Skaife has written a book that is far from a dry monograph about the species … [it is] a beguiling, fascinating, and highly amusing account of the strangely magical birds. He is making us love them in a way that makes them more than mere symbols." (Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk)

A must read for anyone who's interested in ravens

Absolutely loved this book! The history, stories and actual facts of the birds living in The Tower told by their caretaker is a splendid read. Recommending this to anyone who is interested in the peculiarities of the work of Yeoman wards and especially The Ravenmaster.

You'll never underestimate a raven again

5 Stars

Ever since first seeing The Crow in 2004 I've always been fascinated by ravens and my dad worked at the Tower of London as a chef at some point, likely before I was born so when I discovered this book I just had to listen to it. I expected to like it but I ended up loving it!

It's a great balanced mixture of autobiography, history of the Tower and the ravens who reside there as well as a great insight into the raven itself coverings biology and culture as well as the myths and legends surrounding the birds.

I found it fascinating, funny, intriguing, heartwarming and heartbreaking while meeting Chris, learning about how he came to work at the tower and the 7 ravens he looks after and hearing about all their adventures and misadventures together. Christopher 's love, enthusiasm and sense of humour was clear to hear in his narration and that made it a joy to listen to.

Ravens are truly fascinating birds and in some ways, capable of more human traits than the majority of us realise. This book only served to further my fascination with ravens and I hope that I'll get a chance to see them up close one day.

fantastic

A brilliant insight into these wonderful birds, the ravenmasters life and the amazing tower of London.

Devoured it

Aw what a wonderful book! Finished it in two days. It made me laugh out loud.

a personal account of life at the tower

for both history lovers and Raven fans alike
the author gives an authentic and indepth decription of working with the birds and life at the tower.

Couldn't stop listening

This is SUCH fun! Chris Skaife's account of his army service and subsequent acceptance as a Yeoman Warder, and his amazing job as Ravenmaster. He is a born storyteller - essential to his job, of course - and his account of what is involved in the care of the ravens and tales about the birds themselves is lively and hugely interesting. If I hadn't started listening in the evening I'd have absorbed the whole book in one go. Smashing.

Fascinating

highly recommended, told with humour enthusiasm and love. Looking forward to visiting the Tower again and hope I get Chris as my guide

Wonderful book. Funny, sad and full of wisdom

It is specially nice to have the author reading his book in his own distinctive Dover-London-Thames accent. That the Ravens – and even the foxes – are treated as they are now under Skaife’s watch is very encouraging.

Maximum stars for the book itself and the narration – but only two stars for the stupid way the Audible book is set up – with an interview at the end that is tacked onto the book and included in the projected listening time and as additional chapters. It is confusing as you reach the end of the book and need not have been done in that way.

'Caw-dent' put it down!

Okay, so I know they croak rather than caw but I had to!

From following Christopher and his life with the Ravens through his social media page, I have wanted to read this since he announced it. However, it was only on a whim I downloaded Audible and when considering what first to listen to it was thankfully this title that came to mind.
As a hard-core bird enthusiast, a lover of history and someone interested in hearing how others much different to I live, I adored The Ravenmaster from start to finish.
I don't think I have completed a book so quick in years and I must attribute a lot of that to how well the author read his own story - what a fantastic edition to an already enthralling account.
It was well paced, included a perfect mix of light hearted and somewhat comedic moments with the more serious and important facts.
I highly recommend this to other fans of birds and history.
Thank you Mr Skaife.

Loved it

Brilliant insight into the life of The Ravenmaster, well written and read, entertaining to the end. Highly recommend.

Enjoyable book

As a lover of Corvids I really liked this book. And even if you're not into birds, you'll enjoy this.