The Secret Life of the Owl: a beautifully illustrated and lyrical celebration of this mythical creature from bestselling and prize-winning author John Lewis-Stempel

Lewis-Stempel is one of my favorite authors to read. He has such a way of describing his surroundings and the natural world that just invites you in, and makes you want to know more. This short little book about owls is no different. I love owls, and this book was a great journey through folklore and poetry and facts about owls. If you love owls, I wouldn’t miss this one. It’s not overly scientific and includes mythology and other fun bits.

I really enjoyed this. A small book but so interesting and informative, and written in the poetically beautiful language and imagery that I have come to find in John Lewis-Stempel's books. I only found them a year ago, the first one I read being "The Running Hare - the Secret Life of Farmland", a gorgeous book about the old-style farming I recall as a child, the wealth of wildlife and the work John put into one field to try and recapture that. Do read it. I confess I'd kind of imagined the author of these books as being an old grizzled chap, rather like dear old Jack Hargreaves from the "How" Tv programme, an old-style countryman with a wonderfully descriptive turn of phrase. How wrong I was - the author photo in the back of "The Secret Life of the Owl" shows a younger man, probably no more than 40 at most, with an open face and a pleasant countenance. I'd like to talk wildlife and nature with him just as much as I did with Jack Hargreaves when I was a child, I'm sure it would be both fascinating and fun!

John Lewis-Stempel is a wonderfully descriptive and atmospheric author when it comes to the English countryside. This book on Owls is one of a series, delving deep into the mysterious & mystical lives of animals; Owls have always held a fascination for me, I've seen a few at night fortunately, this book explains their habits, how they hunt their prey, where they nest and much more. An engrossing book, well worthy of a read.

Not only did the book arrive 3 days early (HUGE BONUS), it is delightful. The only down side being that I am half way through already in the first day of ownership!! Ahh...but it's a bookshelf keeper and/or loaner outta kind of book so no problem. Packed with oodles of facts you never knew about owls, their idiosyncracies, characters, as well as breed and nature facts. Short enough chapters so you don't get bored nor overwhelmed and some lovely literal references as well as humble illustrations. Highly recommended.

There are better books on Owls out there