GAMEKEEPING: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. By David S.D. Jones.

2014 1st edition. 4to (196 x 252mm). Pp192. Colour and b/w photographs, bibliography. Beige boards, spine titled in gilt.

"David Jones has written a fascinating and comprehensive book on the history of gamekeeping since the inception of the profession in the late seventeenth century until the present time. He writes about all aspects of gamekeeping with chapters on training, pay, cottages, gamekeepers in wartime, loaders and loading, lady gamekeepers, gamekeeping throughout the UK and Ireland and also overseas, especially in the days of the British empire. There is an interesting section on the moorland gamekeeper which includes the memories of George Grass of Ramsgill. Gamekeeping not only contains a large selection of historic illustrations depicting the gamekeeper's work but also draws on oral and written testimonies from gamekeepers, contemporary newspaper cuttings and extracts from historic documents. With its comprehensive coverage and wealth of stunning illustrations, this book provides a unique insight into gamekeeping and gives an accurate record of gamekeeping in times past, something often neglected by other authors who have painted a much rosier picture of the gamekeeper's life in bygone days, rather than a truthful one based on hard facts." Chapters include: The gamekeeper; The gamekeeping hierarchy; Gamekeepers' pay and perks; Gamekeeper training; The gamekeeper and his caste; Game preservation; Poaching; Pest control; Game shooting; Gamekeepers' cottages; The gamekeeper abroad; Gamekeeping in Scotland; Gamekeeping in Ireland; A country gentleman's country gentleman; Gamekeeping professional bodies; The moorland gamekeeper - memories of George Grass of Ramsgill; The park keeper; The lady gamekeeper - a rare bird; Gamekeepers in wartime; Loaders and loading; Beaters past and present; Game records.