Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Written by the illustrious Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress The Tower of London, member of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary, to give him his full title, this is a truly astonishing book.
The hand-picked soldiers, veterans all, who compose said Guard, include one distinctive warder responsible for the royal, nay regal, ravens - seven in number - who, by purported decree of King Charles II, continue to preside over life at the Tower, to the delight and amusement of visitors and warders alike.
As ravenmaster, our hero not only lives in the Tower, but holds a unique office, involving the care and maintenance of his highly intelligent charges. Two-and-a-half feet long, with wingspans up to four feet wide, and three times the size of crows (who fly in colonies, not pairs), these imposing birds are patently dear to the heart of their host, whose peerless humour and ceaseless patience radiate the pages of this totally splendid work.
This is not to be confused with a book merely for for bird-lovers. As much a mixture of English history as avian behaviour, this is one of the best books of the year, with immense appeal to readers of all stripes, whether British or not. And through it all, the irrepressible Merlina, our hero's favourite, regal, raven presides: wickedly mischievous, wildly intelligent and improbably endearing.
Warmly recommended for children of all ages, particularly those who never grew up.
More video book reviews at
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Written by the illustrious Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress The Tower of London, member of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary, to give him his full title, this is a truly astonishing book.
The hand-picked soldiers, veterans all, who compose said Guard, include one distinctive warder responsible for the royal, nay regal, ravens - seven in number - who, by purported decree of King Charles II, continue to preside over life at the Tower, to the delight and amusement of visitors and warders alike.
As ravenmaster, our hero not only lives in the Tower, but holds a unique office, involving the care and maintenance of his highly intelligent charges. Two-and-a-half feet long, with wingspans up to four feet wide, and three times the size of crows (who fly in colonies, not pairs), these imposing birds are patently dear to the heart of their host, whose peerless humour and ceaseless patience radiate the pages of this totally splendid work.
This is not to be confused with a book merely for for bird-lovers. As much a mixture of English history as avian behaviour, this is one of the best books of the year, with immense appeal to readers of all stripes, whether British or not. And through it all, the irrepressible Merlina, our hero's favourite, regal, raven presides: wickedly mischievous, wildly intelligent and improbably endearing.
Warmly recommended for children of all ages, particularly those who never grew up.
More video book reviews at
bookreviewsandvideos.com
![The Twelve Days of Christmas [correspondence] by John Julius Norwich, illustrated by Quentin Blake](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_6zUu8b_-rc/mqdefault.jpg "The Twelve Days of Christmas [correspondence] by John Julius Norwich, illustrated by Quentin Blake
This delightful stocking-stuffer, of immense humour and charm, was originally published in 1998, and remains a Christmasy classic. Being thank you notes on the part of a well-bred lady to her invisible admirer, which increase in portent with each passing day (and delivery), these lead inevitably to a colourful showdown, involving an assortment of geese, maids-a-milking and questionable old men cavorting on the lawn.
Accompanied by Quentin Blakes peerless illustrations, a prime example of British humour at its seasonal best. Delectable!
https://www.thisoldHoarehouse.com")
