hilaryjsc's review against another edition
4.0
This was exactly the flavor of "strange corners of Britishness" that I like best.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
A super interesting and fun read! Really neat to learn about the author’s life and what it means to be the Ravenmaster, and about each raven’s personality.
flufficorn's review against another edition
5.0
I did not know what to expect when I got this book. Like most of my picks, I picked it up because it looked like a good idea. I certainly was not disappointed. :) It's a good, easy read. You get to learn about these birds, this weird tradition that I still don't understand, and this very compassionate man that takes his job to heart.
bookchew's review against another edition
5.0
(Audiobook)
I cannot believe how taken I’ve become with this book. The ravenmaster’s personality shines through every bit as much as the ravens’ do. This book hit all the right notes: soothing descriptions of daily, menial tasks; laugh-out-loud tales of working in an unusual setting with both the peculiar public and peculiar birds; anecdotal history lessons and an overview of the raven’s role in folklore, film, and more; a humble narrator with a remarkable story; and all the high stakes tension of finding yourself invested in characters (both human and corvid) that are so deftly drawn.
I listened to the audiobook and I strongly recommend it. The text is read by the ravenmaster himself, who, in addition to being an entertaining speaker, makes some worthy raven noises.
One of my favorite non-fiction reads of 2018.
I cannot believe how taken I’ve become with this book. The ravenmaster’s personality shines through every bit as much as the ravens’ do. This book hit all the right notes: soothing descriptions of daily, menial tasks; laugh-out-loud tales of working in an unusual setting with both the peculiar public and peculiar birds; anecdotal history lessons and an overview of the raven’s role in folklore, film, and more; a humble narrator with a remarkable story; and all the high stakes tension of finding yourself invested in characters (both human and corvid) that are so deftly drawn.
I listened to the audiobook and I strongly recommend it. The text is read by the ravenmaster himself, who, in addition to being an entertaining speaker, makes some worthy raven noises.
One of my favorite non-fiction reads of 2018.
readingrobin's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I have such a great fondness for corvids, be they crows, ravens, magpies, or even blue jays, so I figured this book would be right up my alley. Skaife delves into the history behind the ravens' presence at the Towers, which I was surprised but maybe not too much that it holds a legend that may not be as old and revered as once thought.
I've been to the Tower of London, which helped me visualize some of his stories. The ravens there are definitely a quirky bunch. I remember one that graciously allowed a seagull to peck a bit at their raw chicken lunch, only to shoo them off a few seconds after. This cycle would actually repeat itself a bit, a little nibble and then a shoo, it almost seemed like a sort of game. Anyway, they are very amusing birds and Skaife really does make their personalities shine in this book.
There were moments where the book lost a little steam or included something that seemed a bit superfluous. The chapter on ghosts around the grounds seemed a little out of place in a book about the Tower ravens and the stories get a little repetitive once you edge closer to the end. But if you have an interest in the Tower and its inhabitants, I recommend picking it up.
I've been to the Tower of London, which helped me visualize some of his stories. The ravens there are definitely a quirky bunch. I remember one that graciously allowed a seagull to peck a bit at their raw chicken lunch, only to shoo them off a few seconds after. This cycle would actually repeat itself a bit, a little nibble and then a shoo, it almost seemed like a sort of game. Anyway, they are very amusing birds and Skaife really does make their personalities shine in this book.
There were moments where the book lost a little steam or included something that seemed a bit superfluous. The chapter on ghosts around the grounds seemed a little out of place in a book about the Tower ravens and the stories get a little repetitive once you edge closer to the end. But if you have an interest in the Tower and its inhabitants, I recommend picking it up.
bookbirder's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was funny, interesting, and well written, especially considering the fact that it is written by a raven master and not an author.
mmasten's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really great. I learned a lot about the history of the Tower of London and the ravens.
It is a wonderful personal account of the ravenmaster and his duties as well as some fun tower stories.
I read this prior to my visit to the Tower of London and felt like I enjoyed the tower that much more because of it.
It is a wonderful personal account of the ravenmaster and his duties as well as some fun tower stories.
I read this prior to my visit to the Tower of London and felt like I enjoyed the tower that much more because of it.
abrswf's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, often amusing, and fairly interesting account, read by the author, of his life caring for the ravens at the Tower of London and serving as one of the "Beefeater" guards/guides there. I really loved the included raven audio.
jenni3penny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
twoesplease's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.75