La passion durable de Tim Gallagher, qui le motive depuis l'enfance, est l'ancien sport de la fauconnerie. Son œuvre récente retrace l'héritage de l'empereur Frédéric II du XIIIe siècle, une figure de la Renaissance acclamée comme le plus grand fauconnier de l'histoire. La narration de Gallagher explore cette aventure, s'inspirant des traditions médiévales et l'illustrant par des images saisissantes. Le livre offre un aperçu de la pratique historique et de la résurgence moderne de la fauconnerie, reliant le passé et le présent à travers l'art de la chasse.
In a perilous expedition through the stunning Sierra Madre, a naturalist seeks to find the elusive Imperial Woodpecker, believed to be extinct. This journey not only highlights the breathtaking wildlife and natural wonders of the region but also exposes the threats posed by Mexican drug cartels. The quest intertwines the beauty of nature with the dangers of human activity, creating a gripping narrative of adventure and conservation.
What is so compelling about falconry? Tim Gallagher mines his lifelong obsession with falcons for an answer in this engaging volume interweaving memoir, history, and travelogue. An entire subculture exists outside the mainstream of American society consisting of obsessed individuals (Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and film-writer Tony Huston among them) who still use the ancient training techniques and language of falconry. Gallagher finds that his personal story connects on many levels with that of Frederick II, the thirteenth-century Holy Roman Emperor, legendary falconer, and notorious freethinker who brought the full wrath of the medieval church down upon his dynasty. While following Frederick's footsteps through southern Italy, Gallagher ponders his personal history as well. What salve to his spirit did falconry provide when it ignited his passion at age twelve? Beset by a turbulent childhood dominated by a brutal and violent father, Gallagher turned to this sport for emotional release. He offers us a unique glimpse into the contemporary falconry subculture, and the result is a surprisingly frank and revealing personal story.