Description

Winner of the Richard Jefferies Society and White Horse Book Shop Literary Prize

‘splendid’ -Guardian

‘visionary’ -New Statesman

Britain has all the space it needs for an epic return of its wildlife. Only six percent of our country is built upon. Contrary to popular myth, large areas of our countryside are not productively farmed but remain deserts of opportunity for both wildlife and jobs. It is time to turn things around. Praised as ‘visionary’ by conservationists and landowners alike, Rebirding sets out a compelling manifesto for restoring Britain’s wildlife, rewilding its species and restoring rural jobs – to the benefit of all.

Publisher Review

'A splendid new book... all rational argument seems to be on his side' -- Professor Tim Flannery * The Guardian * 'A wonderfully imaginative book, which shows how things could be with our rapidly declining areas of countryside, instead of how - despairingly - they are now.' -- Rod Liddle * The Spectator * 'A visionary yet practical book.' -- John Burnside * New Statesman * 'It has shaped how I think about my farm, and the choices we make about our land...' -- James Rebanks 'An expose, a plea, and a vision of a better future.' -- Simon Reeve 'Ben Macdonald has an impressive track record as a field naturalist, wildlife film-maker and writer, and this passionate, authoritative, up-to-date and, ultimately, optimistic book is a worthy comparison to such seminal works as George Monbiot's Feral and Mark Cocker's Our Place.' -- Jonathan Elphick * BBC Wildlife * 'Having read a number of the recent books about rewilding, I was tempted to think, oh blimey, not another one! I am now tempted to say, they left the best till last...' -- Bill Oddie 'Rebirding is beautifully written, based on deep, personal experience and a genuine love of the subject. You may not have come across Ben Macdonald before now; but believe me, you will hear a lot more from him in the future.' -- Stephen Moss Phenomenal and important. -- Chris Packham * Waterstones Favourite Reads of 2020 * 'With Monbiot's Feral and Isabella Tree's Wilding, Rebirding sits separate from both and is in fact an essential third book to read if you've enjoyed the others. In short, it's a captivating, fascinating and inspiring read' -- Ed Stubbs * Birdwatch Magazine * 'This is the best book on nature, conservation and rewilding I read in 2019 - perhaps one of the best I've ever read. I finished reading it with a real sense of hope for the future.' -- Alex Roddie * Great Outdoors Magazine * 'A book about a key subject at a key time, passionate and deeply thought-through. Anyone concerned with the future of the natural world in Britain will want to read it.' -- Mike McCarthy, author of The Moth Snowstorm 'A beautifully written, thoughtful and yes, provocative book' -- Dr. Martin Harper, Conservation Director, RSPB 'This is a stimulating and important book, beautifully written and well researched... It provides a compelling vision for the future' -- Dr. Carl Jones, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 'A must read and a good read...the type of book that grabs and keeps my attention. You should read it and I think you may well enjoy it a lot.' -- Dr. Mark Avery * www.markavery.info/blog/ * 'I thoroughly recommend the book and applaud its breadth and detail... Macdonald's book has really surprised me. I have learned much I did not know about Britain's early bird faunas, and even the history of its mammals... The level of treatment and scholarly references are on a par with conservation science books' -- Peter Taylor * ECOS Magazine * 'This has to be the one book you read this year if you read no other, as its messages are myriad and its import undeniable. This is most definitely my book of the year and possibly the whole decade!' -- Bo Beolens * Fatbirder * 'Rebirding is an exceptional book from an exceptional author. Visionary, courageous, critical, Benedict maps out how we might finally turn things around, rewilding our national parks, restoring natural ecosystems and allowing our wildlife a far richer future.' * Surfbirds * 'A captivating, fascinating and inspiring read' * Birdwatch * A well researched and more importantly a well-written book about rewilding... One that every conservationist should read. -- Paul Cheney * Halfman, Halfbook *