The Badger

Fierce, menacing, and mysterious, badgers have fascinated humans as living animals, abstract symbols, or commercial resources for thousands of years—often to their detriment. With their reputation for determined self-defense, they have been brutalized by hunters and sportsmen, while their association with the mythic underworld has made them idealized symbols of earth-based wisdom and their burrowing habits have resulted in their widespread persecution as pests. In this highly illustrated book, Daniel Heath Justice provides the first global cultural history of the badger in over thirty years. From the iconic European badger and its North American kin to the African honey badger and Southeast Asian hog badger, Justice considers the badger’s evolution and widespread distribution alongside its current, often-imperiled status throughout the world. He travels from natural history and life in the wild to the folklore, legends, and spiritual beliefs that badgers continue to inspire, while also exploring their representation and exploitation in industry, religion, and the arts. Tracing the complex and contradictory ways in which this fascinating animal endures, Badger will appeal to anyone interested in a deeper understanding of these much-maligned creatures.

The Badger Book takes its place as part of Graffeg's compact, accessible Nature Book series, exploring our relationship with some of Britain's best-loved wild creatures.This addition introduces the wonderfully mysterious and enigmatic Meles meles to the newly curious with fresh information in store for those with a long-standing interest. An inhabitant of these lands for thousands of years, badgers have been both revered and reviled, cherished and tormented, beloved and brutalised - The Badger Book takes a closer look at Britain's largest carnivorous mammal.Alongside magical photography, we examine the science - and politics - around bTB and the controversial badger cull as well as introducing a passionate group of ordinary people dedicated to rescuing them, followed by a meander through the myth, legend, art and literature which has incorporated them into our culture. Chapters include:Badger PhysiologyBadger WatchingBadger ThreatsThe CullThe Badger Protectors: Wounded Badger Patrol CheshireBadgers in Myth & LegendBadgers in Art & Literature

Relive the adrenaline, the agony, the camaraderie, and the betrayals of the 1986 Tour de France. Two teammates, Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault, were supposed to cooperate as teammates, but instead entered into a show-stopping rivalry.

Greg LeMond, 'L'Americain': fresh-faced, prodigious newcomer. This is supposed to be his year. Bernard Hinault, 'The Badger': aggressive, headstrong, five-time winner of the Tour. He has pledged his unwavering support to his team mate, LeMond. The team is everything in cycling, so the world watches, stunned, as LeMond and Hinault's explosive rivalry plays out over three high-octane weeks. Slaying the Badger relives the adrenaline and agony as LeMond battles to become the first American to win the Tour, with the Badger relentlessly on the attack. Includes brand new material for the paperback.

National Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine presents unique novel about a sickly boy's epic journey through England and Scotland at the height of Medieval times. Adrian is small for his age, even for a twelve year old. It doesn't help that he's an albino, which makes those he meets wonder if he's an angel or a devil. His father is a bowyer, and all Adrian wants to do is become apprenticed and go off to war as a long bowman. But that's not what his father wants for him. Since Adrian can write, his father wants him to be a scribe. That's just about the last thing Adrian wants. When the Scots invade England and Adrian's best friend Hugh runs off to find his father and fight in battles, Adrian soon follows, intent on finding Hugh and joining him in glorious warfare against the pagans invading England from the north. When Adrian finds Hugh, who is caring for a wounded Scotsman, he's horrified that Hugh would aid an enemy. But soon, as Adrian gets to know the Donald, he begins to question what he's been taught about the enemy and the nature of war. In this epic journey an afflicted boy finds and inner strength he never knew belonged to him.

The international animal trafficker known as The Rooster sights his rifle on a black bear rooting for grubs in a decaying silver maple tree in the woods of Nebraska. Black bear organs fetch a high price on the black market. Hiding nearby, investigative reporter Alexander Henry trains his camera on The Rooster. Suddenly, a massive cloud of leaves and debris swarms over The Rooster. The startled bear runs away from the commotion, directly towards Alexander Henry's hide. Despite his fear that The Rooster may have discovered him, Mr. Henry decides that encountering the frightened bear is a bigger threat and bolts away. As he jumps a fallen log, a searing pain shoots down his leg. Someone has shot the reporter with a tranquilizer dart. When the drug wears off, Mr. Henry finds himself a captive in an underground cell. But why would anyone want to hold him prisoner? In answer, a Jacob's slot on the solid prison door opens, and in waddles a badger. The baffled and alarmed reporter now wonders, "Why would they stick a live badger in a prison cell with me?" So he holds out his hands in a non-threatening manner, and attempts to befriend the badger. "There there. Good girl. Nice badger. I will not hurt you." The badger rises up on her hind legs, eyes the man curiously, and places her paws on her hips. "Mr. Henry," the badger replies. "We should be making those same assurances to you."

"The Badger: A Monograph" by Sir Alfred E. Pease is a comprehensive study of the elusive and fascinating badger species. Pease, a renowned zoologist, presents a wealth of information about the badger's behavior, habitat, and role in the ecosystem. With detailed observations and captivating anecdotes, this monograph provides an intimate look into the life of one of nature's most enigmatic creatures.

Tracking an Indian raiding party, Texas Ranger Josiah Wolfe and his compatriots run afoul of a notorious gang leader known as the Badger. As they are led to where the Badger is waiting, Josiah knows that time is running out. But luckily, Texas Rangers are hard men to kill. Read Larry Sweazy's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.