Ravenmaster My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
The first behind-the-scenes account of life with the legendary ravens at the world’s eeriest monument The ravens at the Tower of London are of mighty importance: rumor has it that if a raven from the Tower should ever leave, the city will fall. The title of Ravenmaster, therefore, is a serious title indeed, and after decades of serving the Queen, Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife took on the added responsibility of caring for the infamous ravens. In The Ravenmaster, he lets us in on his life as he feeds his birds raw meat and biscuits soaked in blood, buys their food at Smithfield Market, and ensures that these unusual, misunderstood, and utterly brilliant corvids are healthy, happy, and ready to captivate the four million tourists who flock to the Tower every year. A rewarding, intimate, and inspiring partnership has developed between the ravens and their charismatic and charming human, the Ravenmaster, who shares the folklore, history, and superstitions surrounding the ravens and the Tower. Shining a light on the behavior of the birds, their pecking order and social structure, and the tricks they play on us, Skaife shows who the Tower’s true guardians really are—and the result is a compelling and irreverent narrative that will surprise and enchant.
Reviews with the most likes.
The book delighted me by being an intertwining of ravens, the Tower of London, and the author's own life. I had been expecting the first two elements, but had rather unconsciously assumed science would be the third; I'm glad that it wasn't. Because the author wove in his own life experiences we get something uniquely intimate. I especially enjoyed the parallels he draws between his life as a soldier and his life as a carer for ravens, the similarities were completely unexpected and enlightening.
Ultimately this book feels exactly like a great conversation with a favorite uncle down at the pub one long and relaxed evening.
Reads like what I imagine a pub would be like, with a cheery bloke holding court and spinning yarns. Skaife is a raconteur, stretching out ornithology, history, memoir, and above all stories into quite a fun, forgiveably long-winded blend. You don't need to know or even care about the Tower of London to enjoy this: the ravens are the stars of this show, and Skaife cares very deeply for each one of them. This was informative and sweet.
