August 1781 saw the publication of a manual on fox hunting that would become a classic of its genre. Hugely popular in its own day, Peter Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting is often cited as marking the birth of modern hunting and continues to be quoted from affectionately today by the hunting fraternity. Less stressed is the fact that its subject was immediately controversial, and that a hostile review which appeared on the heels of the manual's publication raised two criticisms of fox hunting that would be repeated over the next two centuries: fox hunting was a cruel sport and a feudal, anachronistic one at that. This study explores the attacks made on fox hunting from 1781 to the legal ban achieved in 2004, as well as assessing the reasons for its continued appeal and post-ban survival. Chapters cover debates in the areas of: class and hunting; concerns over cruelty and animal welfare; party politics; the hunt in literature; and nostalgia. By adopting a thematic approach, the author is able to draw out the wider social and cultural implications of the debates, and to explore what they tell us about national identity, social mores and social relations in modern Britain.

This vintage book, originally published in 1920, contains a collection of reminiscences relating to author's extensive hunting experiences. Fascinating and enjoyable to read, this volume offers a unique insight into English hunting in the nineteenth century, and is highly recommended for those with an interest in the history of the sport. Contents include: "Great Equestrian Feat Performed without a Horse", "The Authors rapid Promotion", "Reminiscences connected with Ten Thousand a Year", "The 'Real Original' Fox", "Account of some Morning Calls upon him", "He dies a Domesticated Character", "Comparative speed of Hounds and Horses", "A Curiosity in Natural History", et cetera. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. This volume is being republished now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the history of fox hunting.

No matter how sophisticated or technologically advanced we become, there is still something within that beckons us to "the hunt." This desire creates the customs, beliefs, and rituals related to hunting--for deer, hogs, as well as fish and snakes, etc. These rituals and customs lead to some of our most treasured folklore.

"I adore the fox for its magnificence; I hate the fox for killing my chickens. To love and loathe the fox is a British condition." The fox is our apex predator, our most beautiful and clever killer. We have witnessed its wild touch, watched it slink by bins at night and been chilled by its high-pitched scream. And yet we long to stroke the tumbling cubs outside their tunnel homes and watch the vixen stalk the cornfield. There is something about foxes. They captivate us like no other species. Exploring a long and sometimes complicated relationship, The Wild Life of the Fox captures our love – and sometimes loathing – of this magnificent creature in vivid detail and lyrical prose.

In this volume, originally published in 1903, is a practical account of Mr. Dales experiences of the hunting fields of Leicestershire and the surrounding countries. It will still appeal to those with an interest in the history of hunting. The many photographs in the book illustrate in a practical fashion the main features of the book. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original artwork and text.