EVERY MAN'S HAND. By David Harcombe.

1992 1st edition. Small 8vo (140 x 222mm). Ppvi,150. B/w illustrations by Neil Evans. Brown boards, spine titled in gilt.

A novel, set in South Wales, about Cadno the fox and his pursuers. "An emotive and powerful novel set in the period between the two great wars it tells of a fox's life and describes with graphic detail and realism, the difficulties and delights of existence in the wild. Much has been written about the fox, and this work, though fictional, is a true and accurate account of its nature and habits. The principal characters are Cadno the fox, Bruiser the terrier and Tom Thomas, his owner, known forever as Tom Flanders after his return in 1918 from the battlefields of World War I. Born a country man, Tom lived for a time in the grim valley coalfields of South Wales and pursued a career as a prize fighter before returning, in disillusion, to the places of his youth. We see the world through the interwoven lives of these three characters and though it is the same world, each lives it in an entirely different manner. The story takes us into the wilderness world of the fox and we follow his progress, observing the hostile environment of the wild creature from all possible angles and viewpoints. Pursuit and persecution has done so much to shape the habits, the nature and the survival of the fox that it would be impossible to consider the life of the animal without making extensive reference to it. This then, is a combination of three stories. At the end of the book the reader may find his sympathies lie with any one of those portrayed, for the aim is not to mount any particular platform but to faithfully represent every viewpoint and therefore the book should appeal not only to fieldsportsman but to naturalists, conservationists, and those who seek simply an interesting, unusual and lively read." Chapters include:- A time to be born; Under the oaks; Tom Flanders; The quarry face; Cadno; Bruiser; A bargain is struck; Freedom; Return to the valley; The family of foxes; Something to celebrate; Shoulders a burden; Another season; Farewell good bitch; The circle of life; The hand of fate; For all is vanity.