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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I never knew there was such an occupation as a Ravenmaster until a saw a book review on Youtube, this made me interested and I wasn't disappointed. The writing style of the author is conversational and very easy to read and follow.
What comes across from Skaife is his enthusiasm for the ravens and if a job is worth doing it's worth doing well, probably an offshoot of his military training.
This becomes one flaw with the book in that he tries too much to marry his army experiences with looking after the ravens and at times it becomes a bit forced.
Most of Britain's population knows of the mythology that when the Ravens leave the Tower of London, the country will fall and Skaife goes into the history of this myth. The fascinating thing for me the history of this myth isn't all what it seems.
I had no idea ravens were such intelligent birds until I read this and there is no doubt the Ravens will remain at the Tower as long as a Ravenmaster who cares about the job is in the post.
What comes across from Skaife is his enthusiasm for the ravens and if a job is worth doing it's worth doing well, probably an offshoot of his military training.
This becomes one flaw with the book in that he tries too much to marry his army experiences with looking after the ravens and at times it becomes a bit forced.
Most of Britain's population knows of the mythology that when the Ravens leave the Tower of London, the country will fall and Skaife goes into the history of this myth. The fascinating thing for me the history of this myth isn't all what it seems.
I had no idea ravens were such intelligent birds until I read this and there is no doubt the Ravens will remain at the Tower as long as a Ravenmaster who cares about the job is in the post.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this, but it was disappointing. It's pretty touristy - Skaife spends a lot of time talking to tourists, so the book is full of the same kind of information he shares with tourists, which is mostly a bunch of anecdotes, a few historical facts, and an awful lot of army stories. You won't learn anything about ravens that you don't already know from watching a nature documentary.
This was a truly interesting book. It is written as a memoir mixed with historical and personal anecdotes about the author’s life, primarily about his life with the ravens. The book feels personal in nature, almost like you’re spending time with an old friend sharing his intriguing and odd experience as the Ravenmaster of the Tower of London. The author also includes occasional facts and historical anecdotes of ravens, teaching them to us as he himself learned them over time. Mr. Skaife describes his relationship with the ravens with the utmost respect and familiarity, making me personally feel like I have not done enough to understand the animals in my own life. I have just gained yet another reason to plan a hopeful trip to London.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Christopher Skaife has been working with the ravens of the Tower of London for more than a decade. In this book, he shares his insights into the clever birds and regales the reader with stories of his time at the Tower, his life in the army, and more than a bit of the history of both the Tower and the ravens.
I follow Skaife on Facebook, and his posts are always amusing and frequently lovely. He's made one of the ravens, Merlina, possibly the most famous bird in the world, let alone the most famous raven: because he shares a particular bond with her, Merlina features most frequently in his photos. When I learned that Skaife had a book coming out, I was all agog to get my hands on it. It took me a few months, but I did.
I enjoyed every single word of this book. Skaife's personality--and the personalities of the birds--shines through every sentence. (I'm really hoping that Skaife is doing a tour the day I take my niece to visit the Tower of London in a couple of years' time.) I learned quite a bit about the ravens (don't mess with the pecking order!) and the Tower; I laughed and even sniffled a bit.
Whether or not you follow the Ravenmaster on social media (and frankly, you should), if you like history and birds, you'll like this book.
I follow Skaife on Facebook, and his posts are always amusing and frequently lovely. He's made one of the ravens, Merlina, possibly the most famous bird in the world, let alone the most famous raven: because he shares a particular bond with her, Merlina features most frequently in his photos. When I learned that Skaife had a book coming out, I was all agog to get my hands on it. It took me a few months, but I did.
I enjoyed every single word of this book. Skaife's personality--and the personalities of the birds--shines through every sentence. (I'm really hoping that Skaife is doing a tour the day I take my niece to visit the Tower of London in a couple of years' time.) I learned quite a bit about the ravens (don't mess with the pecking order!) and the Tower; I laughed and even sniffled a bit.
Whether or not you follow the Ravenmaster on social media (and frankly, you should), if you like history and birds, you'll like this book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I've never gone to London, so I'm not super familiar with the Tower of London. But I got a decent look at the *vibe* of the place and a new respect for the ravens that currently reside there. cawcaw mothertrucker
Also, I practically own this book bc I've had it from the library for half a year. Overdue.
Also, I practically own this book bc I've had it from the library for half a year. Overdue.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Five things about The Ravenmaster by Christopher Skaife 5/5⭐️s
1. This book is so incredibly fascinating, loving, hilarious, sentimental, and wise. I loved every moment of it.
2. Skaife is The Ravenmaster but also a master storyteller.
3. I wish I’d known all this when I’d visited The Tower. As it is, I’d only read a few chapters when I was completely enamored of the book, the man, his heart, and the Ravens. I had to stop right then and dig around for the photos I had taken of the Ravens I saw at The Tower in the summer of 2016. I poured over my photos to see if I could identify them based on their stylish colored anklets.
4. Skaife’s love and deep respect for the Ravens is so beautifully communicated throughout the pages of this book. He was clearly born to this calling. To read this memoir is to be inspired.
5. I’ve always been so interested in both The Tower and the intellectual ability of Ravens and Crows and you can be sure Skaife has inspired me to read all the books in his lengthy recommended reading list at the end of his book.
6. I’d like to thank Christopher Skaife for sharing this book with the world. To read it was an enlightening and delightful use of time.
1. This book is so incredibly fascinating, loving, hilarious, sentimental, and wise. I loved every moment of it.
2. Skaife is The Ravenmaster but also a master storyteller.
3. I wish I’d known all this when I’d visited The Tower. As it is, I’d only read a few chapters when I was completely enamored of the book, the man, his heart, and the Ravens. I had to stop right then and dig around for the photos I had taken of the Ravens I saw at The Tower in the summer of 2016. I poured over my photos to see if I could identify them based on their stylish colored anklets.
4. Skaife’s love and deep respect for the Ravens is so beautifully communicated throughout the pages of this book. He was clearly born to this calling. To read this memoir is to be inspired.
5. I’ve always been so interested in both The Tower and the intellectual ability of Ravens and Crows and you can be sure Skaife has inspired me to read all the books in his lengthy recommended reading list at the end of his book.
6. I’d like to thank Christopher Skaife for sharing this book with the world. To read it was an enlightening and delightful use of time.