FALCONRY IN THE LAND OF THE SUN: THE MEMOIRS OF AN AFGHAN FALCONER. By Sirdar Mohamed Osman.

2001 1st edition. Large 8vo (178 x 261mm). Pp268. B/w photographs, illustrations, colour end-paper maps, foreword by Tom Cade. Green cloth, upper board and spine titled in gilt.

This is a fascinating account of the life of Sirdar Mohamed Osman, grandson of the king of Afghanistan, geophysicist, one-time project manager of the Helmand Valley Authority, life-long falconer in a family of falconers. He "has led an amazing life centred around his falconry and the in-depth study of the wildlife that surrounded him. He travelled throughout India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in pursuit of falconry, in fact his adventures cover a great deal of Central Asia." Osman's experience also covers trapping, training and flying a vast range of species and sub-species, including all the hawk-eagles and shortwinged birds. A fascinating book and a terrific read.