The Lure of the Falcon

by Gerald Summers

The Lure of the Falcon is the story of a young man and the injured kestrel falcon that became his friend and companion -- and eventually accompanied him to war and to POW camps, where she saved his life on at least two occasions. In this remarkable book, Gerald Summers describes his childhood passion for nature, with an exact and loving eye for the characteristics of insects, birds, small mammals and domestic animals -- a passion that eventually fixed itself on Cressida, a small, fiercely independent and remarkably devoted falcon, who came into his life just before he was sent to Tunisia in the Second World War. Summers related the experiences of this bizarre pair -- a young naturalist in uniform and a wild falcon -- who shared together the hardships and dangers of war and the privations of German POW camps. How Cressida saved Summers' life during the Tunisian fighting, how she managed to defeat a Gestapo officer, how she helped her human companion to escape from the Germans and attempt to make his way back to the Allied lines through Italy is all told in a warm, witty and loving book that is reminiscent of vintage Durrell.

More than most nature books, The Lure of the Falcon is about the rare and wonderful relationship that can sometimes grow between a human being and a wild animal -- a relationship of equals, of friends, of creatures who understand each other's point of view. Like Gavin Maxwell's otters and Joy Adamson's Elsa, Gerald Summers' kestrel Cressida is a creature of enduring fascination.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Animals

283 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seemingly impossible story of a boy who grew up loving animals - especially birds - and who tamed a wild kestrel and brought her to war with him. Of all the rambling old-fashioned "my life with animals" memoir-style books I've read, this may be my favorite. I just love the author so much - he has this wonderful, unassuming voice, and his enthusiasm for animals and nature is so sincere. I love (and totally identify with) the fact that wherever he is, he has at least one eye on the lookout for animals, and seems to remember every creature he ever encountered with beautiful clarity. Even in the midst of a war, he takes every opportunity to observe the local wildlife; trapped in an Italian prison camp, he watches butterflies and lizards, and later in a prison car in Germany he stares out the window at the fields and notes that the hares are "darker and heftier than ours at home." XD Definitely will be reading the rest of Summers's books.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this whilst being given a tour at a new library job, and took it home at the very next opportunity. A falconerd and naturalist, I am always willing to read accounts of others' experiences with wildlife. It broadens my view of nature.

Gerald Summers' account borders on the unbelievable. The first half is a long and rambling account of his growing up in the UK, during which we see the world through his eyes. We see the butterflies and moths, the birds, the ferrets, the dogs...we see animals. How often do we really see wild animals? Squirrels gather nuts right before our eyes, and so often we miss it. How sad an existence that misses the incredible detail of the wild.

The second half of the book tells of Summers going to war, and taking with him a kestrel he found one day. You really just have to read it. It's amazing.

[Prajna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely refreshing! In some ways it reminded me of James Herriot's books because it takes place in England and the author loves animals and nature. It starts with his childhood, and some of the stories had me laughing out loud. It then progresses to his time in the military during WWII and I couldn't put it down. I loved the way he described how he felt, the scenery, and the people. Although the situations were terrible (I have never read about the WWII experience from a British point of view), the story was told beautifully with compassion and humor. I never got too anxious because I knew it was autobiographical and the story had to come out alright in the end.

I stumbled upon this book at a Friends of the Library book sale and am so glad I picked it up. It's one that will definitely stay on my shelves and be read again and again.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable and heart-warming true story of a young Englishman who took his pet kestrel to war with him. He was wounded and captured by the Germans in North Africa then spent several years in POW camps. He, along with several comrades, escaped in Sicily only to be recaptured. All the while Cressida (his kestrel) was with him. They were finally liberated by the Americans in 1945 and they both returned safely to England.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story that any animal lover (and especially falconers) would LOVE.

[tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a marvelous true adventure about a young naturalist who goes to war with his falcon in his pocket.

[Rachel Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning account of the possible connection between humans and animals. Tears were shed, will shed again.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of ours is a professional falconer and he lent me this book. He is also British,as is Gerald Summers, so is familiar with names and places mentioned in the book. Summers is a naturalist and writes of his interest, love and relationships with many animals. Guess what--ended up being a war story too!!

Favorite quote: Gerald was spending time in Ireland with friends before reporting for active duty in the British Army

"I enjoyed my stay in Ireland. I like the informality, the friendliness and welcome one received on many an unannounced visit to one of the several large demenses. As in all country districts at this time, everyone knew everyone else, and people had time to be by themselves, and were not hounded by the demons of worry and endless, pointless rushing about and the ethereal feeling of being on the brink of a precipice, which seems almost universal today."

Have people ALWAYS pined for simpler times??

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book from my childhood and now I've just finished reading it to my own children. Gerald Summers is pitched from the comfortable chaos of his family with dogs, ferrets, bats and his falcon Cressida into the turmoil of the second world war. Like most young men at the time he was wholly unprepared for the conflict and ends up as a prisoner of war (POW). What makes him and this book unusual is that he takes his kestrel with him into the army and she remains with him throughout the war.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story (non-fiction) of young man during World War Two, and a falcon which became his companion, and stayed with him through his war years in N. Africa, and during his imprisonment. It is a wonderful story!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

D. nonfiction, memoir, nature, England, mom's stash, discard

[Gail Kennon]

wonderful book of love and adventure with a young man and his kestrel. some pages of intense suspense and overall a wonderful coming of age memoir by a young naturalist and soldier during the second world war.