Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in the Tower of London…and care for the iconic ravens?
The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife is a delightful window into what it’s like to live behind the Tower walls. Part history lesson, part ethogram of bird behavior, and part slapstick comedy, the Ravenmaster details the highs and lows of taking care of his feathered companions. Not an easy task, given that ravens are known for their keen intelligence and somewhat moody dispositions! Both of which are highlighted in Chris’s stories.
This book has been on my reading list for quite a while, though I just finally got around to reading it on a recent trip. Ever since I befriended a crow as a child, I’ve had a love for corvids…and they were one of my favorite things about visiting the Tower of London several years ago. So I went into the book with high expectations…and it didn’t disappoint! Chris manages to keep a great sense of humor no matter the situation and shares not only knowledge with the readers, but the bird’s individual personalities as well. As a great bonus, he posts photographs regularly on the Ravenmaster Facebook page!
