DAN KEEL

Author of ‘swan’: coming on july 14

Available to pre-order now: Swan by Dan Keel

Dan is a nature author, freelance journalist and photographer who has written the non-fiction book Swan as well as various articles for Birdwatching Magazine and EnviroNews. A birdwatcher since the age of five, Dan volunteers for the Wildlife Trusts and has written for the Guardian, Daily Mail, News Shopper newspaper series and The Richmond & Twickenham Times.

SWAN: PORTRAIT OF A MAJESTIC BIRD - FROM MYTHICAL MEANINGS TO THE MODERN DAY (NON-FICTION BOOK)

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.

“I was totally engaged by the book: fascinating, revelatory and delightfully penned. An inspiring and eye-opening account of one of our best-loved birds, Swan is totally compelling.” Alan Titchmarsh, broadcaster

"Swan is a love letter to one of our most enigmatic birds. Dan lifts his readers into the clouds to see the world through the eyes of these iconic creatures, and in doing so, sifts through the myths, legends and facts to give us a soulful, joyous and well-rounded portrait of this fierce and enchanting bird." Tiffany Francis-Baker, illustrator and author of Dark Skies: A Journey into the Wild Night

All media/PR and interview requests to Jasmin Burkitt at Jasmin@summersdale.com

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