Customer Reviews

For a Handful of Feathers

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

This is a wonderful book by what would appear to be an unlikely source, French, or partly French blueblood. Whether McGuane and Harrison enriched his prose by osmosis, I don't know, but his love and knowledge of quail is all his own and enormous. He subtly and gracefully sneaks in a ton of science while maintaining perfect prose pitch: humor and elegance. Quite a feat.

And in an online interview, he says he does not consider himself a writer, just a rich guy who writes a book every ten years to justify his existence. (paraphrased)

I just ordered his novel.

It's not necassarily what Valdene says, it's the way he says it. The only sad thing is that their are not more of his books to read. I aways thought Gene Hill then Mike Gaddis was the best at expressing the unspoken feelings about the world of hunting and killing. But Valdene reaches deeper into my soul to allow me understand a little more of why I have hunted my entire life and why I am becoming less
interested in the kill, than the comminion with nature each time I watch wildlife
in their natural world, then allow them to live. To me, it's a much deeper and
more satisfying experience.

This is a lyrical, gentle, lovely book. The author's quiet respect for, and humility toward, his land, his game, and his dogs captures the essence of field sports and its ethic. It thankfully peels back the booyah BS you usually read in "hunting" books and demonstrates the heartfelt connection true sportsmen have for their calling, escape, or, to me, simple pastime. If you ever want to explain to a perplexed friend, girlfriend, wife, hot neighbor, or clueless PETA enthusiast why you hunt, fly fish, or just sometimes wander around the countyside, river or lake with your head in the clouds, give them this book. Somehow, Valdene has put into words what you feel in your soul.

jb

Outstanding in every way if you are a true bird hunter. Guy de la Valdene is as good with a pen as he is with gun and fly rod. I live in the area, just down the road from Coon Bottom. He vividly catches the essance of the seasons and life on the plantation with warmth and humor. Bought extra copies for my hunting friends. Gary The Snookman Hoffman, Tallahassee, Fl.

I belive that Guy de la Valdene book was written very well. In his book he wrote numerous facts on the Bob White Quial and the management of the species. He wrote on the quial,s habitat, feeding, and average of how many quail would reach maturity. I found that in his book he didn't have harsh feelings against the birds predators. Also that he felt that killing the predators wasn't the answer to the conservation of the Bob White Quail. Although he is a hunter, I belive that he is more of a conservationist. His book would help anyone with the understanding of the Bob White Quail.

valdene's style is just right for the hunter and outdorsman in me. i enjoyed valdene's down-to-earth approach to hunting and his expressions of the feelings of a hunte