John Lawton’s new book Inn Search of Birds; Pubs, People and Places is described as being “based on a sample of 711 pubs named after birds or things that are ‘bird-related” […]”
A sample of 711 pubs… How in the name of all that is holy did I miss out on the posting of this research project needing field team members‽ Perhaps there wasn’t one. Perhaps Mr. Lawton did all the research himself (as it very much appears that he did). Now that’s dedication! If he didn’t already have a CBE he should have jolly well been awarded one for this indeed. (For those who might not be familiar with him, the author is more formally known as Prof. Sir John Lawton CBE FRS.)
All jocularity aside, I find the world to be just that much better of a place than I thought it was as a result of learning that Mr. Lawton’s eleven year pub survey, his uncovering of local stories, ancient folklore, ornithological curiosities, and much more have now been collected and made available to the world by Whittles Publishing. Fatbirder has already described it as “My sort of book this… and the sort of thing us birders can’t help liking.” Mark Avery observed “I can almost imagine a few birders embarking on a Big Beer Year with this book in their hands.”
As for my own thoughts about it, I can’t help but think that a full review of it will require refreshing my familiarity with British pubs, possibly over an extended period of time. Now where did I put all those airline miles…” Jesting, of course. I’ll be reporting back about it at greater length very soon.
