Badgerlands
The Twilight World of Britain’s Most Enigmatic Animal
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Granta Books
Published:5th Jun '14
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The author of The Butterfly Isles turns his wry, affectionate attention to an even more beloved (and controversial) British animal - the badger
Britain is the home of the badger - there are more badgers per square kilometre in this country than in any other. And yet many of us have never seen one alive and in the wild. They are nocturnal creatures who vanish into their labyrinthine underground setts at the first hint of a human. Here, Patrick Barkham follows in the footsteps of his badger-loving grandmother, to meet the feeders, farmers and scientists who know their way around Badgerlands: the mysterious world in which these distinctively striped creatures snuffle, dig and live out their complex social lives. As the debate over the badger cull continues, Barkham weighs the evidence on both sides of the argument, and delves into the rich history of the badger - from their prehistoric arrival in Britain and their savage persecution over the centuries, to Kenneth Grahame's fictional creation in Wind in the Willows and the badger who became a White House pet. From the celebrated author of The Butterfly Isles, this is rich, vivid nature writing at its best.
A superb work of natural history set in changing times. Enjoy it as you ponder on the problems of Badgers and Humans -- David Bellamy
A timely and virtuous book... superb -- Paul Binding * Independent *
Well-timed [and] well-balanced... An accessible insight into a complex, crepuscular world -- Hugh Warwick * Guardian *
Barkham has a weird, Louis Theroux-like sympathy for everybody involved. Which makes the book as warmly human as it is meline... This book is a terrific piece of work, one that increases everybody's understanding of the most difficult and controversy-ridden species of British fauna -- Simon Barnes * The Times *
Perceptive and compassionate -- John Burnside, Books of the Year * New Statesman *
Sensitive and thoughtful -- Andrew Holgate, Books of the Year * Sunday Times *
Wonderful -- Stephen Moss, Books of the Year * Guardian *
Beautiful -- Mark Smith, Books of the Year * Herald *
The badger is Britain's most beloved mammal, and the most loathed. Barkham listens to all voices in his excellent Badgerlands, but in the end the badgers carry the day -- Simon Barnes, Books of the Year * The Times *
Badger enthusiast Barkham pens a loving ode to the most maligned of mammals -- Amelia Walsh * Observer *
A carefully written exploration of the cultural and natural history of this much-loved animal... What really entices is the badger itself, a cautious, secretive, curiously gentle creature about which so much is still unknown -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *
Superb... Charming and persuasive -- James Delingpole * Mail on Sunday *
An affectionate and timely portrait of a most elusive creature -- Bella Bathurst * Sunday Telegraph *
Barkham's affectionate new study couldn't be more timely... Fine and well-crafted -- Peter Lewis * Telegraph *
A careful, engaging look at the history and impact of the badger * Sunday Times *
A commendably even-handed book... Anyone interested in the debate should read this book -- Jason Goodwin * Spectator *
Barkham moves between wider literary and cultural considerations to more lyrical evocations of place and moment. He has a poet's eye for natural detail * Eastern Daily Times *
Rich, vivid nature writing at its best * Hereford Times *
Enlightening and satisfying * Countryfile Magazine *
Barkham takes great care in depicting both sides of the badger cull debate, digging up the rich history of the mammal while talking to farmers whose livestock and earning have been blighted by badgers * Daily Mail *
Thoughtful... Barkham brings a little-known creature to life * Daily Telegraph **** *
This book increases everybody's understanding of the most difficult and controversy-ridden species of British fauna -- Simon Barnes * The Times *
An accessible insight into a complex, crepuscular world -- Hugh Warwick * Guardian *
Wonderful... a joy to read and incredibly informative... a must have for nature enthusiasts * ‘Book of the Week’ Bath Chronicle *
- Short-listed for Ondaatje Prize 2014 (UK)
ISBN: 9781847085054
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 25mm
Weight: 290g
400 pages