For a Handful of Feathers [Paperback]

Guy de la Valdene (Author), Jim Harrison (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 1997

A lifelong hunter and wild-game gourmet who has traveled the globe on expeditions with world-class sportsmen, Guy de la Valdéne purchased an 800-acre farm outside Tallahassee and set out to raise and hunt his favorite game bird, bobwhite quail. But de la Valdéne is also a naturalist at heart, and as he planted trees and divided fields, he found that running the farm compelled him to operate as both hunter and preservationist, predator and protector. De la Valdéne structures his reflections around a year in the life cycle of the bobwhite quail, from one generation's birth through mating and the raising of their young. Along the way, he gets pulled along on some side trips: to a masterpiece of controlled burning performed by a Vietnam veteran in a helicopter with 300 gallons of napalm, and to his own adventures when he improvises some dam-raising to fill his pond. For a Handful of Feathers reconciles a passion for hunting with a deep sentiment for the wild. Learning early on that while his work on the farm may awe his friends, he can never impress nature, de la Valdéne tries, with sensitivity and patience, to find his, and perhaps society's, place in the natural world. "A classic that compares well with Turgenev's A Sportsman's Notebook . . . simply and beautifully written."-The Bloomsbury Review; "For a Handful of Feathers is an American classic . . . a book as unapologetic as it is thoughtful about blood sport . . . . the verbal spark and pace of a fine novel."-Gray's Sporting Journal; "A gem that will appeal not only to hunters but to all readers who love the land."-Publishers Weekly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Introduced to hunting at the age of seven, the author continues to pursue the sport. He owns an 800-acre farm in northern Florida, where he raises his favorite game bird, bobwhite quail. Here he reflects on a way of life that reconciles hunting with preservation of land and wildlife. Valdene offers an interesting glimpse of wildlife management-building a favorable habitat for quail by planting trees and shrubs, dividing fields, building dams and employing controlled burning. He writes about his dogs and other animals attracted to the farm. He takes us through the bobwhite's year, from nesting to maturity to the pot (with recipes). Valdene, whose works have appeared in Field and Stream and Sports Afield, has written a gem that will appeal not only to hunters but to all readers who love the land. First serial to Sports Afield.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press (August 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087113697X
• ISBN-13: 978-0871136978
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #849,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressed, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: For a Handful of Feathers (Hardcover)

I have not read much hunting literature, but was quite impressed with this book. I found that De La Valdene made a good case for hunting, and I found his conservation-minded views to be very enlightening. The book covers as many aspects of the sport as possible, including De La Valdene's love for dogs and even a certain love for other predators of quail. The writing is not the best that I have read, but his passion for the sport is such that it transcends any writing difficulties. A beautiful book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, April 14, 2002

By 

Jackie C "Jackie C" (Coconut Creek, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For a Handful of Feathers (Hardcover)

Hemingway proved that few subjects are better topics then hunting and the outdoors.

Guy De La Valdene does a wonderful job writing about the types of things that make life worthwhile and fullfilling: birds and dogs.

Additionally, he makes the point that much of our wildlife and habitat would not exist if not for the devotion of true outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.

Brett

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable book!, September 5, 1998

By 

R.L.Humphries - See all my reviews

This review is from: For a Handful of Feathers (Hardcover)

This is a remarkable book. Admittedly my vice is quail hunting, but this book is that and much, much more. It demonstrates an insight into the minds of people. Its language can be a bit rough but only in the way people speak. To anybody who has a love for the outdoors, nay, civilization, this is highly recommended. Its near literature.