Fauna Britannica [Hardcover]

An ambitious work more than ably executed by Professor Stefan Buczacki. Although graduating in botany, his first love was zoology, ignited by his childhood in a Derbyshire village. He spent many years in research before becoming a well-known radio and television star and popular garden writer from whence he has earned a well-deserved reputation for solid horticultural advice accompanied by a dry, erudite wit. "Fauna Britannica" is a celebration and history of Britain's relationship with its wildlife. From invertebrates and fish on the seashore to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, Buczacki explores their evolution, their relationship with man - occasionally good, occasionally bad - and their place in myth, legend and folklore. Superbly illustrated and informatively written in an easy-to-understand style, this is an invaluable reference for all the family, educating readers in our natural heritage and teaching us how to preserve it for generations to come. - Lucy Watson

'Buczacki wins in the folklore stakes'. 'Above all Buczacki scores with his lists of local names.'

'Fauna Britannica deserves to be enjoyed by the widest possible audience'. 'It is the sort of book that should be in every home'.

'No single book currently available can hope to rival the sheer scope and vision of Fauna Britannica.'

'This soon-to-be bestseller will delight readers for generations to come.'

This reference to British natural history, its folklore and tradition explores how animals have enriched our culture, from the spider that reputedly influenced Robert the Bruce to the local superstitions that robins portend death. Over 3,000 entries range from common snails and earthworms to deer and the golden eagle, with information on each species detailing: history, folklore, habitat, characteristics.