Description

Our estate was built on land claimed from fields – we were at the foot of those rolling Kilpatrick hills, but over the roof of the school you could see more green fields and woods. I felt grateful to be on the edge of all that countryside – there was a magnetic pull towards what I thought that wild was, or could be. ‘One day, I’m going to walk to those hills and woods,’ I’d think to myself.

Soon, it would become a sanctuary.

Gordon Buchanan is probably the best-known natural history cameraman the BBC has ever produced. From wild snow wolf packs in Ellesmere and polar bears in Svalbard to leopards in Mumbai and equine therapy in Mongolia, he has filmed in the world’s most far-reaching places for over 30 years. His dedication to his craft means he often spends weeks inside a cramped camera hide, tolerating extreme sleep deprivation and poor living conditions, all in search of that one extraordinary shot.

But dangerous animals were not the only thing he was hiding from.

In the Hide is Gordon’s emotionally honest and raw account of a challenging childhood in Dumbarton and on Mull, and the escape and solace he found – and continues to find – in the natural world around him. An intimate and inspiring account of resilience in the face of hardship, In the Hide marks the arrival of a bold new voice in nature writing.

Publisher Review

“A stunning and moving account of a life that shaped one of the most authentic voices for nature” * Liz Bonnin * “The qualities that make Gordon Buchanan a great wildlife filmmaker are those that make this a terrific book – a love of storytelling, genuine expertise in his chosen field, relentless curiosity and above all a deep humanity that comes from knowledge of pain as well as of joy. The book combines all of the above, his extraordinary wildlife encounters are the fascinating backdrop to a searingly honest account of his personal struggles.” * Alastair Campbell * “Gordon is a natural storyteller, with a unique passion for his subject and compelling backstory. He has not only lived his passion, but by studying nature through the lens has become an expert in the field, instinctively knowing what an animal will do – a skill the rest of us would kill for.” * Steve Backshall * “A truly remarkable story told by a brilliant man.” * Sara Cox * “Gordon is a genuine force for good in this beautiful, flawed world of ours. The time I spent with him in the Hebrides was truly life changing, and has given me a far greater appreciation of the beauty, majesty and simplicity of the world we live in. This is a glorious love letter to that world.” * Dermot O’Leary * “An inspiring read from one of the very best storytellers of our time. A story that details the journey from adversity to resilience and flourishing through the lens of the natural world.” * Aldo Kane *