num_pages: 416
description: Since time immemorial mankind has taken it upon himself to wage war against nature - against those species of birds and mammals which he believes conflict with his livelihood. This remarkable book is about that war of attrition against the native mammals and birds of England and Wales form themiddle ages to the present day. There is widespread knowledge about the huge decline in popular species such as song birds, farmland birds, otters, and pine martens, however, there is less understanding about the deep-rooted causes of these losses, or about the complex relationship between mankindand these species.Roger Lovegrove has undertaken years of unique by searching through parish records of 'vermin' trapped, hunted, and killed over the generations, he has revealed an unprecedentedly accurate and detailed picture of the history of a nation's wildlife, and of the often devastating impact andextinction that we have forced on our ecology. Consisting of species-by-species accounts, accompanied by beautiful, specially-commissioned illustrations, this book outlines the history - and often the future, too - of a wealth of wildlife species, from badgers, bears and beavers, to wolves,kingfishers, the golden eagle and the humble house sparrow.The geographical scope is British, but the subject will be of interest to conservationists around the world because of the unique historical material that will be included. The topic has enormous relevance today, as public concern about the environment rises, and controversies rage about hunting,wildlife management and reintroduction of ancient species.
language: English
title: Silent Fields: The Long Decline of a Nation's Wildlife
titlecomplete: Silent Fields: The Long Decline of a Nation's Wildlife
genres: Animals, Nature, British Literature, Natural History, Nonfiction, History
ratings_count: 17
publisher: Oxford University Press