New Book: European Sparrowhawks

[Ben Crane]

This is a new book on European Sparrowhawks including trapping, wild take, imprinting, hawking, breeding and many MANY other subjects. With contributions from IAF representatives in Croatia, Ireland, Turkey and the UK it is a no nonsense, common sense approach to flying these little accipiters. It should be available in about 6 months time.

[bluejack]

I'm looking forward to this one.

[Steve L.]

How does it compare to Mavrogordato's book?

[Ben Crane]

I suppose times change, as do methods and means. Comparisons are not always helpful. The contributors and myself are hopefully adding to the cannon and sharing knowledge, rather than competing. I personally prefer Liam O'Broins book. Which is good as he is in this one, along with Rowland Eustace and the other members of the Irish Hawking club who have done so much for sparrowhawking in europe. There is certainly a tremendous amount of unique aspects to the content, as my experiences, as well as all the others is very different from yesteryear and although I deeply respect history (as the book describes and shows), it is nice to build upon the past and broaden the voices that share our collective passion.

[Tony James]

Hi Ben,

it's years since I last flew a spar, but they remain one of my favourites, and one day, perhaps, I'll find myself flying them again.
I bought A Hawk for the Bush from Jack Mavro, and A Manual for Hawking from Liam, so I'll hope to bump into you (in May perhaps?) to pick up a signed copy

It's interesting that Steve L asks how it compares to Mavro's book, which comparison of course has been made with Liam's book for the last 17 years or so.
It's a question that highlights how few books have been published specifically about sparrowhawks in the last half century.

I wish you well with it, and please put me down for a copy.

Best wishes,

Tony.

[Paul leeming]

Please bump me in to, looks good,

Thanks

[FredFogg]

I want the book, will it be for sale by any of our online falconry providers here in the States (Western Sporting, Mikes Falconry, etc?) Would love to get a few breeding pairs and make some so folks over here could fly them!

[Ben Crane]

I want the book, will it be for sale by any of our online falconry providers here in the States (Western Sporting, Mikes Falconry, etc?) Would love to get a few breeding pairs and make some so folks over here could fly them!

Hi Fred, On sale via amazon and no doubt nearer the time I will promote it via various shops and retailers.

[Ben Crane]

It's interesting that Steve L asks how it compares to Mavro's book, which comparison of course has been made with Liam's book for the last 17 years

Tony.

There is an inevitable predictability regarding comparisons and/or who is best type discussions. I knew from the moment I started that these would occur. I look on this project as 'standing on the shoulders of giants' and adding new information rather than competing. Who was the 'best' boxer, ali or tyson, joe louis or jack dempsey, was edmund bert better than turberville, what about McDermott v's Perkins or Hollinshead v's McElroy? It never ends really. Ultimately it does not mater as long as the information is there for people to own and access. The real learning comes from the field and the overlap of information between sources regardless of which is 'best'

But the very fact that my name and others is even MENTIONED in the same breath as Marvo and O'Broin then I am happy. In fact I have thanked them both in the opening pages. To sign a copy for you, who met them both, is Tony a rare honour........WOW.

[Tony James]

There is an inevitable predictability regarding comparisons and/or who is best type discussions. I knew from the moment I started that these would occur. I look on this project as 'standing on the shoulders of giants' and adding new information rather than competing. Who was the 'best' boxer, ali or tyson, joe louis or jack dempsey, was edmund bert better than turberville, what about McDermott v's Perkins or Hollinshead v's McElroy? It never ends really. Ultimately it does not mater as long as the information is there for people to own and access. The real learning comes from the field and the overlap of information between sources regardless of which is 'best'

But the very fact that my name and others is even MENTIONED in the same breath as Marvo and O'Broin then I am happy. In fact I have thanked them both in the opening pages. To sign a copy for you, who met them both, is Tony a rare honour........WOW.

Please don't feel in any way honoured Ben, we're all just falconers together, you, me, them.

That said, anyone who can produce a 'classic', be it Bert, Latham, Mavrogordato, perhaps even yourself, deserves to be celebrated.

Who knows, in the future someone may say "you met Ben Crane"? Wow!

I look forward to reading it.

Best wishes,

Tony.

[Ben Crane]

Please don't feel in any way honoured Ben, we're all just falconers together, you, me, them.

That said, anyone who can produce a 'classic', be it Bert, Latham, Mavrogordato, perhaps even yourself, deserves to be celebrated.

Who knows, in the future someone may say "you met Ben Crane"? Wow!

I look forward to reading it.

Best wishes,

Tony.

Tony, I look in the mirror each morning and go UUURRRGGGGHHHH Ben crane.

[Tony James]

Tony, I look in the mirror each morning and go UUURRRGGGGHHHH Ben crane.

Try being me for a day, that'd cure you

[Rocky]

I think the future of falconry literature will be specific in nature. The day of the beginner's manual or all inclusive falconry book is hopefully a thing of the past. The audience has become more sophisticated, and is demanding literature more reflective of that. We have specialised in our pursuits in falconry and we expect our books the mirror those choices. I applaud Ben for taking on the challenge of the small accipiter, and it appears that he has made the effort to encompass the full spectrum of his subject. I look forward to my copy of his labors.

Rocky

[Ben Crane]

I think the future of falconry literature will be specific in nature. The day of the beginner's manual or all inclusive falconry book is hopefully a thing of the past. The audience has become more sophisticated, and is demanding literature more reflective of that. We have specialised in our pursuits in falconry and we expect our books the mirror those choices. I applaud Ben for taking on the challenge of the small accipiter, and it appears that he has made the effort to encompass the full spectrum of his subject. I look forward to my copy of his labors.

Rocky

Thanks Rocky, that is generous. I agree as well. However being specific will also mean a lot more self publication. This book would not be in print without the crowood press in the UK, whom I cannot thank enough.

[Ben Crane]

What I will add is that there are at least 20 sparviters who have included their thoughts and ideas and experiences. The main thrust of the book was to collate various 'voices' that form a coherent whole whether they be 'old timers' or 'beginners'. This runs the gamute from those legally allowed to take from the wild, rehabbers, breeders, trappers, people who imprint, people who fly creche reared and PR hawks FROM the complete geographical range of accipiter nisus. The main idea was to lesson the prescriptive and instructive in order to allow the reader to explore and develop their own processes. In mine and others experiences EACH individual hawk behaves slightly differently. There is no point having a dogmatic approach and only one train of thought for the myriade of issues sparrowhawks throw up. I firmly believe the best sparrowhawks evolve from drawing out specific characteristics of the hawk which is so variable that any book would continuously have to be updated on a weekly basis. This book is EXACTLY hat it says, a 'guide' for the reader to use as a springboard from which to be successful.

Hell! To this very morning my musket has behaved in a way which has confounded me and taught me small but valuable lessons which I would have now like to have put in the book....alas it is not to be.

[Ryan English]

Any update on this book's release Ben? Looking forward to it.

[hcmcelroy]

20 contributors, Wow! I look forward to a copy keep us informed.

Harry.

[fehgan101]

Got my copy. I must say you've done an awesome job Ben.Read most of it and its great!!

[skooky20]

how can i get a copy of this book?

[FredFogg]

how can i get a copy of this book?

Me too!!!!

[mainefalconer]

I'll second Stuart's comment. The book looks great! Lots of information. Lots of contributors. Great photos. Nicely presented. Well done Mr. Crane! I was up far too late flipping through it the other night.

[fehgan101]

Got mine off Amazon.

[parabuteo.de]

Just ordered mine!

[americansharpy]

Received my book, its a wonderful addition to the literature. Congrats

[ukroper]

I will have copies of this book with me in Kansas this year,at the NAFA meet..

Order in advance and you will pay no postage costs..ill bring um for free

[ukroper]