<div>A “quirky and absorbing” exploration of the history and mythology surrounding the ravens at the Tower of London (Publishers Weekly). Tales tell of how Charles II, fearful of ancient legends that Britain will fall if the ravens at the Tower of London ever leave their abode, ordered that the wings of the six ravens be clipped. But the truth is that the ravens only arrived at the Tower in 1883, when they were brought in as props in tales of Gothic horror that were told to tourists. The legend itself originated from the summer of 1944, when ravens in London were used as unofficial spotters for enemy bombs and planes. Boria Sax gives us the first book to tell the true story of the ravens, which has far more high drama than any of the tales the tourists get to hear. Its heroes are the raven couple Grip and Mable, who eloped from the Tower together after World War II, leaving it empty and prompting fears that the British Empire would end; Jackie, who kept watch at a brewery; McDonald, who was murdered; and Thor, who could not accept his loss of flight. For over a century, the ravens have been symbols of cruelty, avatars of fate—and cuddly national pets. But Sax shows us how the ravens have come to represent Britain’s natural heritage, without which any nation would be impoverished. This informing and reflective volume addresses the need to connect with animals and the natural world and shows us the human need for wonder at nature. Praise for City of Ravens “Both a delight and a profound illumination of the subject . . . with unexpected and fascinating conclusions.” —Esther Woolfson, author of Corvus “A wonderful contribution to the modern history and mythology of one of the world’s greatest cities.” —Ronald Hutton, Commissioner of English Heritage “Boria Sax traces the history of the ravens in the Tower of London with accurate scholarship and engaging stories.” —John Marzluff, co-author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens “The author delves into the true history and cultural importance of these massive corvids. It’s a lively, entertaining tale, with a few grisly details from real events.” —Anna Sanders, Audubon Magazine</div>

City of Ravens

<div>A beautifully illustrated alternate taxonomy of the animal kingdom, based on mythology, literature, art, and other cultural realms: &ldquo;Charming.&rdquo; &mdash;ForeWord Sacred cows, wily serpents, fearsome lions, elegant swans, busy bees, and sly foxes&mdash;all are caricatures of the creatures themselves, yet they reflect not only how different cultures see the natural world around them but also how such cultures make use of their native animals. In this fun and thought-provoking book, historian and animal enthusiast Boria Sax argues for a classification of animals that goes beyond the biological to encompass a more meaningful distinction: tradition. From ants and elephants to tigers and tortoises, The Mythical Zoo weaves together a cross-cultural tapestry encompassing mythology, history, art, science, philosophy, and literature. The result is a beautifully illustrated, masterfully composed love letter to the animal kingdom. </div>

Boria Sax
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Books By Boria Sax (2 Books)

City of Ravens

The Mythical Zoo

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