Reviews - Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man's Quest to Rewild Britain's Waterways

76 reviews for:

Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man's Quest to Rewild Britain's Waterways

I enjoyed this quick read about how people are trying to bring back the beaver in the UK. We get the history of how they became all killed over the year. It was interesting to see how long they have been gone on the landscape. It was also interesting archeologist have been finding their homes and their mark on the landscape from past hundreds if not thousands of years ago, also that past people used their areas as home as they provided an ideal location. Then it goes into how not only UK/Scotland but other places have tried to reintroduce the beaver and how, when, paperwork to get it all done.
This reminded me a bit about wolves here in the states and how once back in the landscape they change it for the better. It will be interesting to see how the beaver does in the UK and EU in the comes years and if the people that want to protect it are able. Every education in an easy format for anyone to read and enjoy!

caty_murray's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

hannahh's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful informative medium-paced

heylois's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

I’m not usually one to quote books but ‘Welcome them when they come home. They are old friends.’ got me to be honest. This book is suitable angry at landowners and the minority with too much influence over policymaking and at government agencies for delaying a scheme just because it doesn’t benefit them. It’s informative in a way that lures you in rather than drives you away feeling too cold and analytical. Thankfully Gow enthusiastically dispels some long held myths about the beaver and accompanies his endeavours with tales of conferences and interactions with governments.

There were a few too many weight related comments and frankly an uncomfortable diversion to a woman’s body that were uncalled for and changed the tone enough that I couldn’t rate it five stars. At points this book felt a little like a man’s club. I do also think that the very heavy and frequent criticism laid at the feet of civil servants was mostly uncalled for as people with relatively little influence on overall policy making.

I listened to it on Spotify to use the remaining four hours I had left before it resets tomorrow and listened to it in one go. It was never boring and the chapters were suitably varied to keep me interested. The narrator, Calum Beaton, was a perfect accompaniment and added a lot of soul to the narrative.

This book will make you angry and hopeful at the same time and I think will appeal to readers with varying levels of interest in rewilding and the reintroduction of Britain’s native species.

Here’s hoping that the same enthusiasm can be transferred to the reintroduction of the lynx in Scotland.

timpurches's review against another edition

5.0

A beautifully written account of the return of beavers to the wild in the UK, and the many fights the author had with the bureaucrats and vested interests who opposed it. His passion for the animals and what they can do for the wildlife of this country shine through.