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 The book begins with an overview of the species, reviewing their physical attributes and behavior, including breeding, flight, and migration of peregrines across the globe. Macdonald is British and makes many references to falconry as can be expected. In fact, the whole book is decidedly “falconry-centric,” which is one of the reasons I found it not just a recap of other books about peregrines.
She then goes into great detail about falcons in mythology through the ages, including not just the falcon-headed Egyptian god Horus and the like, but modern mythology and symbolism such as the use of falcon effigies as sports mascots. The next chapter summarized the history of falconry in extreme detail. I found this section interesting if a little drawn out. Liberty uses some falconry techniques and more than a few pieces of the sport’s hardware, so I had some appreciation for the depth of the discussion.
Not surprisingly, I found the chapter on threatened falcons the most interesting. This is the topic that filled most of my programs with Jedi. I always thrived on telling the message of environmental care using the near extinction of the peregrine as an illustration. Macdonald gives lots of details of the DDT disaster, but again from the falconer’s point of view. This unique take on the topic was fresh and enlightening.
Talking about military falcons in another chapter gave the author a chance to speak at length on the use of these wonderful birds as weapons, both literally and figuratively. (It also afforded her the opportunity to get in several not-so-subtle digs at US foreign policy and how it is played out now and over time.) OK, so she’s a little preachy, but the British are nothing if not outspoken on politics!
The last chapter on urban peregrines was very informative, especially in relating how adaptive these birds can be. She even mentioned some peregrines that I have personally seen! Their nest on a building in Connecticut is televised during breeding season and can be watched continuously during daylight hours.
This is a worthwhile book for anyone interested in peregrines, particularly in terms of the falconry community. It’s an easy read and has some really cool illustrations. Some of Macdonald’s references are somewhat arcane, (When I think of peregrines, the terms Nietzschean or Ubermensch almost never come to mind!) but if you wade through it, the message is enduring: Peregrines are totally awesome birds!
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