A landmark book that charts humanity's changing relationship with birds - from the ancient Egyptians to the twenty-first century

'A marvellously original slice of social history' Daily Mail

'The facts and folklore of birdlife are dissected in admirable detail in this handsome book' Sunday Times

'Roy and Lesley Adkins are masters of their craft' BBC Countryfile Magazine

No other group of animals has had such a complex and lengthy relationship with humankind as birds. They have been kept in cages as pets, taught to speak and displayed as trophies. More practically, they have been used to tell the time, predict the weather, foretell marriages, provide unlikely cures for ailments, convey messages and warn of poisonous gases.

When There Were Birds is a social history of Britain that charts the complex connections between people and birds, set against a background of changes in the landscape and evolving tastes, beliefs and behaviours. It draws together many disparate, forgotten strands to present a story that is an intriguing and unexpectedly significant part of our heritage.

About the Author
Roy and Lesley Adkins are husband-and-wife authors of widely acclaimed books on naval history, archaeology and social history, which have been translated into seventeen languages. They include Jack Tar, Trafalgar, Gibraltar, The War for All the Oceans, The Keys of Egypt, The Handbook of British Archaeology, Empires of the Plain, Handbook to Life in Ancient Greece, Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome, Dictionary of Roman Religion, and Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England. They are Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Fellows of the Royal Historical Society and Members of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. They live in Devon. Roy and Lesley Adkins are husband-and-wife historians and authors of widely acclaimed books on naval and social history, including Jack Tar, Trafalgar, The War for All the Oceans and Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England, which have been translated into seventeen languages. They are Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Royal Historical Society, as well as Members of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. They live in Devon. See www.adkinshistory.com

Reviews
When There Were Birds is a marvellously original slice of social history, a portrait of our ever-conflicted relationship with the natural world which we so abuse and which we cannot live without; a book beautifully balanced between wonder and warning -- Christopher Hart * Daily Mail (Book of the Week) *
A wonderful book. . . the perfect gift for Christmas this year for a bird lover. . . In fact, no, bird lovers are fine, buy it for someone that hates birds and see if you can turn them round -- Giles Coren * Times Radio *
This book is. . . not only a fascinating browse of all sorts of stories about the past, but it's a real revelation actually. . . it's really going to encourage you to think about birds and the part they played historically and culturally -- Guy de la Bedoyere
An appealing social history of Britain that charts the relationship between people and birds [with] a lot of quirky information -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *
The book is absolutely packed with wonderful stories. You've really researched it to pieces. . . I hope that this book inspires and galvanises those that want to protect birds -- Steve Yabsley * BBC Radio Bristol *
The facts and folklore of birdlife, and man's equivocal relationship with birds, are dissected in admirable detail in this handsome new book ... [with] striking revelations -- Roland White * Sunday Times *
This is a substantial social history of our interactions with the bird life of these isles. . . With its wide-ranging, informative text, extensive notes, and commendably comprehensive index, When There Were Birds makes its own vital contribution to our perception of our relationship with creation, providing further stimulus for us to achieve an environmental renaissance -- Richard Greatrex * Church Times *
When There Were Birds by historians Roy and Lesley Adkins charts humanity's changing relationship with birds, from the ancient Egyptians to the 21st century * Choice Magazine, Great New Year Reads *
The sheer breadth of information reflects every part of life on earth. And that's what makes it such a worthwhile read -- Annette Shaw * Devon Life *
Unusually for a book about nature, the species in question, in this lucid story of the relationship between birds and humans, is ours . . . An evocative chapter, 'Abundance', assembles descriptions of a British landscape so vivid you feel you almost remember it . . . There are no dodos in this book -- Horatio Clare * The Spectator *



Book Information
ISBN 9781408713570
Author Roy Adkins
Format Hardback
Page Count 496
Imprint Little, Brown
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 800g
Dimensions(mm) 238mm * 156mm * 48mm