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“Fascinating, revelatory and delightfully penned…totally compelling.” Alan Titchmarsh
The swan is both a lover and a fighter
A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf, immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day, the mute swan – with its orange beak and aura of stately silence – is the breed we know best in Britain.
Dan Keel has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He’s spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a journalist, photographer and private pilot.
In this labour of love, Dan speaks up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future. Along the way, he shows us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans.
Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan’s story, Dan lays out the facts, guides us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urges us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.
