The Encyclopedia of Falconry [Hardcover]

Adrian Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2000

This lavishly illustrated encyclopedia contains some 1,500 terms and idioms, related to or connected with falconry, with explanations, derivations and notes. It is illustrated with photographs, figures, and reproductions of antiquarian prints and is believed to be the first attempt to catalog and review the complete language of falconry as used between the later Middle Ages and the present day. The Encyclopedia of Falconry will be a valuable addition to all reference collections by uniquely covering a subject with a long and distinguished history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In effect, this compendium of terms and lore is a fascinating history of an ancient form of hunting that joins the human and the animal instinct to hunt. (Chris Camuto Gray's Sporting Journal )

About the Author

Adrian Walker is a former member of the staff at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park in Bedfordshire, England. He has also served on the staff of the National Birds of Prey Centre in Newent, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Derrydale Press (January 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564161749
• ISBN-13: 978-1564161741
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The sport of falconry, May 20, 2000

By 

JAMES HIGBEE - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Falconry (Hardcover)

A comprehensive look at the the world of falconry. The writing style shows much better organization than the Webster/Beebe books, which tend to ramble. Great photos.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Add this to your library!, June 13, 2000

By 

Mary Esterhammer-Fic (Morgan Park, Chicago IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Falconry (Hardcover)

Falconry is a sport with a long, complex history and tradition, and there is a wealth of falconry-related literature out there. This book is good to have on hand when researching a word or phrase related to managing your own hawks. Having all these definitions at your fingertips really helps (a lot of falconry classics contain archaic language or very specific terminology). But, the Encyclopedia also contains a lot of current information. It is not a how-to book, so it does not replace any of the better falconry manuals. It is, though, a solid reference tool you will consult time and again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important addition to the bookshelf., September 26, 2004

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Encyclopedia of Falconry (Hardcover)

As with dictionaries and other reference works, nobody sits down to read an encyclopaedia. Instead, I began by carefully studying numerous entries and then put the book to the test by comparing the "glossary of terms" found in two very good books on Falconry to the content of this work.

The book measures 10in x 7¾in (255mm x 195mm) and contains 150 pages packed with information plus an extensive "further reading" section at the end. The publishers claim 95,000 words defining some 1,500 terms used in connection with the sport of Falconry. Those I had selected to study at random were all well described and included the ancient and historic origins of those words (where applicable) in addition to their meaning. The book also contains numerous illustrations to assist the written descriptions plus 4 sections of colour/black and white photographs/illustrations - from both ancient and modern sources.

Thinking I had stumbled across a whole area which had been missed by the author, I looked up a number of medical terms associated with Falconry and was (initially at least) very disappointed to find vitally important words - such as "Bumblefoot," missing altogether. Then I discovered the 8 page appendix on "Diseases and Ailments" right at the end and mentally offered the author my sincere apologies and quickly restored the book's 5 star rating.

Altogether, an excellent book and a most useful reference tool - although I am not sure why they have used the American spelling (i.e. Encyclopaedia instead of Encyclopaedia) in the title. A small matter which should not deter anyone from buying the book.

NM