"This book has been worth waiting for. Almost a reason in itself for buying the book is the beautiful artwork. As the cover blurb says, this book 'is destined to become the standard reference work on the species. It is also a good read, so buy it."
--David Merrie in BTO NEWS
"The text covers everything you are likely to want to know about the bird... I urge you to put a copy of this superb book on your shelves."
--Gordon Hamlett in BIRD WATCHING
"
The Golden Eagle is beautifully illustrated in black and white by Keith Brockie, another eagle enthusiast."
--David Tomlinson in NEW SCIENTIST
"The authors enthusiasm for this majestic bird of prey shines through the pages of this excellent work... This book will appeal equally to the birdwatcher who wants to learn more about the life and habits of Golden Eagles and the ornithologist who requires an authoritative reference work. It is backed with interesting information. Keith Brockies black-and-white artwork is excellent throughout."
--BIRDWATCH
"The book is illustrated with a series of breathtaking plates by Keith Brockie... Overall, this is a very readable, authoritative and up-to-date book which raptor enthusiasts and general birders alike will find immensely enjoyable."
--BIRDING WORLD
"Jeff Watson has now filled this gap with a magnificent book which manages to combine the results of rigorous scientific research including field observation with a genuine feeling for the species. It is written with the authority of someone who has spent many years studying the species in the field. It recognizes the need to understand the golden eagle and related species in a variety of habitats and geographical areas across most of the northern hemisphere. It is extremely well produced and a good value for the money."
--COUNTRY-SIDE
"This monograph is of generally high quality and reflects the long first-hand experience of the author with the species and the extensive review and integration he has done on the research carried out in different part of the world."
--ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
"The two monographs I enjoyed best both featured birds which have caught the attention of man since the earliest of times, and which have been featured in myths and legends ever since,
The Raven and
The Golden Eagle are both scholarly but easy to read with the latter having the bonus of some wonderfully evocative line drawings and paintings."
--BIRD WATCHING BOOK AWARDS 1997
"Jeff Watson has done an admirable job of pulling together diverse sources of data to produce a comprehensive and scholarly treatise on one of the world's best known birds of prey. Watson's book is unquestionably thorough... It is an essential reference for anyone working on Golden Eagles or any other species of the genus
Aquila. No university library should be without this book."
--THE AUK
"This monograph provides a fairly complete view of what is known about golden eagles, covering virtually every aspect of their biology. North American readers, especially those interested in golden eagles, will want to read and own this book."
--BIRD WATCHER'S DIGEST
"The text is comprehensive and easily read, and although some of it refers to scientific matter, the reader will never become bored or feel blinded by science."
--IBIS
"The book is one of the wonderful series of natural history volumes published by T&AD Poyser, and the overall high standard of their publications is maintained here. ...to golden eagle enthusiasts like myself, this is a book which has to be on the shelves."
--WEST HIGHLAND FREE PRESS
"The numerous and evocative drawings of this majestic bird and its environment by Keith Brockie add to the pleasure and knowledge offered by this masterpiece."
--DORSET WILDLIFE
This is the first comprehensive monograph on the Golden Eagle for over 40 years, and covers all aspects of this spectacular and popular species' biology and ecology. The author has worked on eagles in Scotland for over 15 years and these studies provide the foundation for a treatment which also includes the most up-do-date information from work in North America, continental Europe and elsewhere. This global view allows fascinating insights into the species' relationships with a variety of different habitats and leads to many new and important conclusions regarding its ecology. Reference is made throughout to other related species worldwide, further serving to put Golden Eagles into a wider ecological perspective.
Key chapters explore the factors limiting Golden Eagle numbers and breeding performance, particularly the all-important influence of food supply. The sensitive issue of eagle predation on livestock is reviewed in depth, as is the phenomenon of 'cainism'. Other important chapters deal with conservation issues and the species' fortunes in the past and present, with special emphasis on the situation in the Scottish Highlands. The book closes with fascinating chapters on the place of Golden Eagles in human culture and folklore, and a summary agenda for the future of Golden Eagle research.
This highly readable and authoritative account is destined to become the standard reference on the species, both in Scotland and elsewhere in the world. It is extensively referenced with over 500 text and bibliographic citations and 78 text figures. The text is enriched with many superb pictures of this majestic bird by Keith Brockie. Additional wash landscapes and a colour plate by Donald Watson capture the very special atmosphere of Scotland's Golden Eagle country.
