Ravenmaster My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

Reads like what I imagine a pub would be like, with a cheery bloke holding court and spinning yarns. Skaife is a raconteur, stretching out ornithology, history, memoir, and above all stories into quite a fun, forgiveably long-winded blend. You don't need to know or even care about the Tower of London to enjoy this: the ravens are the stars of this show, and Skaife cares very deeply for each one of them. This was informative and sweet.

The book delighted me by being an intertwining of ravens, the Tower of London, and the author's own life. I had been expecting the first two elements, but had rather unconsciously assumed science would be the third; I'm glad that it wasn't. Because the author wove in his own life experiences we get something uniquely intimate. I especially enjoyed the parallels he draws between his life as a soldier and his life as a carer for ravens, the similarities were completely unexpected and enlightening.

Ultimately this book feels exactly like a great conversation with a favorite uncle down at the pub one long and relaxed evening.