• In clear and utterly compelling English, this moving memoir tells the story of the agony, and the ecstasy, of one refugee – and of every refugee. 
• A must read for anyone interested in the triumph of Afghanistan’s spirit over its seemingly endless suffering.  Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, British Ambassador to Afghanistan, 2007–2010

• Encounters with spectacular birds all over the world and birding adventures to remote, magical locations
• Why life-lists, rarities, questions about ‘what is a species?’ and other such things matter so much to the birder, including their origins in the long human story of our love of birds
• Considers what, if anything, might need to change in birders’ attitudes, approach and practices faced with the extinction and biodiversity crisis

• An unusual and lyrical account of birds from the Kazakh poet and author
• Stresses the importance of birds to people resulting in more attention and kindness to birds
• Includes an interesting selection of myths and facts for bird-lovers

Praise for John F. Messner’s book!

‘...a book that shows just how good a modern biography can be.  ...he lived a long and exciting and absolutely fascinating life and author John F. Messner can be congratulated in bringing Wyllie to the page in a way that is beautifully and compellingly written ... in a way that illuminates an intriguing corner of the story of the American Civil War’. Undiscovered Scotland

• The untold story of Joannes Wyllie, son of a gardener from Fife, one of the most successful blockade runners of the American Civil War
• Features his life of adventure and action; he was once declared dead, survived shipwrecks and shark attack, and successfully commanded ships across the globe
• The most comprehensive history of the Ad-Vance is provided, from departing Glasgow until capture off the Carolina coast