His dedication to his position as Ravenmaster is evident, as is his great love for the birds. But he has a passion for his work and has made a determined effort to educate himself on the history, anatomy, habits and natural behaviors of corvids in general, and ravens in particular. But he spends most of the book regaling the reader with stories about the ravens.Skaife is clear at the outset: he is not a scientist.

He recounts what led to his joining the Army, some of his experiences in service and his chance decision to apply for a position as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower upon retirement from active service. Subtitle: My Life With the Ravens at the Tower of LondonThis memoir details Skaife’s career path to what has become his life’s work: the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London. The result is a compelling, inspiring and irreverent story that will delight and surprise anyone with an interest in British history or animal behaviour. Now, in the first intimate behind-the-scenes account of life with the ravens of the Tower, the Ravenmaster himself shares the folklore, history and superstitions surrounding both the birds and their home. They are not the easiest of charges – as he reveals, they are much given to mischief, and their escapades have often led him into unlikely, and sometimes even undignified, situations. Over the years in which he has cared for the physical and mental well-being of these remarkable birds, Christopher Skaife has come to know them like no one else. The current holder of the position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife, and in this fascinating, entertaining and touching book he memorably describes the ravens’ formidable intelligence, their idiosyncrasies and their occasionally wicked sense of humour. One man is personally responsible for ensuring that such a disaster never comes to pass – the Ravenmaster. But their role is even more important than that – legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower will crumble into dust, and great harm will befall the kingdom. Each year they are seen by millions of visitors, and they have become as integral a part of the Tower as its ancient stones themselves. Martinįor centuries, the Tower of London has been home to a group of famous avian residents: the ravens.

I've been fortunate enough to tour the Tower and meet the ravens a few times in years past after reading this book, I cannot wait to go back' George R. 'Packed with insight and anecdote, his story brings the Tower ravens to vivid life, each bird with a personality of its own.

The ravenmaster