The Raven And The Falcon

This book fills a long-standing gap in Arabic-Islamic studies. Hasan Shuraydi presents an in-depth survey of relevant themes that concern youth and old age in Medieval Arabic literature in an informative and entertaining style intended for specialists and non-specialists.

This is a book on Rumi's life, his poetry, his thought, and his influence. Rumi's work forms one of the pillars of the Sufi orders, particularly the Mevlevi order, better known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. In this book Rumi emerges not only as a spiritual master, but also as a fully human being grounded firmly in the Koran and in classical Islamic mysticism. The light of the Divine Sun, in its Beauty and Majesty, manifested itself for Rumi through the person of Shams of Tabriz. Transformed by this light, consumed by this fire, Mowlana Rumi saw the world in a new light. Everywhere he perceived God's Grandeur and his Grace. The book also discusses the theological premises upon which Rumi's work rests, his attitude to the problems of free will and predestination, and his analysis of the mystical stages and stations. The book not only gives a very rich analysis of Rumi's language and poetical art, but also a picture of medieval Konya, whose features the mystical poet transforms and transfigures.

The first edition of The Peregrine Falcon was widely recognised as a classic of its kind, documenting not only the species' biology but also the sad tale of its decline due to the impact of pesticides. This extensively revised and enlarged second edition takes full account of important new developments in the story of this bird during the intervening 12 years. It reports one of the few notable successes in wildlife conservation: the full restoration of British and Irish Peregrine populations, and their appreciable recovery in other countries where numbers had also been greatly reduced by the impact of organochlorine pesticides. The pattern of increase in Britain has been extremely varied, from districts where numbers are now far higher than at any time in recorded history, to others where the bird is now at its lowest ebb. The examination of the reasons for these differences helps us to understand the most recent developments in the Peregrine saga. Particular attention has been paid to the recent major advances in our knowledge of Peregrine biology, such as its movements, population turnover, food and nesting habits. Many of the tables and figures have been revised and brought up to date so that this volume, like its predecessor, is once again by far the most detailed and readable reference on this most evocative of birds. Donald Watson's colour paintings, monochrome washes and line drawings, and the original photographs, illustrate the book as before. Cover illustration by Donald Watson.

The Peace of Amiens has ended. Nathan Beauchamp is ordered home for reassignment to the rebuilding fleet. He has missed the packet so must return as first officer on the Brig HMS Sampson. As the damaged Sampson sinks, Nate captures the attacking Privateer cutter Bateuse and discovers the privateers began attacking British shipping prior to the start of the war; that makes them Pirates. He also learns the pirates have an encampment on a nearby island. Nate decides to attack the camp. A cutting out expedition results in the capture of the renegade leader Roseau. Roseau's captured ship, the Vipere, is taken into the King's Navy. Her original name HMS Falcon is restored due to politics, and Roseau is exchanged to the French for an influential Kingston plantation owner. Soon Roseau takes up his old trade once more. Admiral Skinner recruits Nathan for one more mission.

Well-known throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the raven has a prominent place in myth, legend and history. Focusing on the raven's ecology in the UK, this text presents a summary of the state of knowledge regarding the raven's natural history, describing its present distribution, habitat requirements, call, feeding habits, social behaviour and population centres. An emphasis is placed on the long association of the bird with humans, and useful comparisons of the Northern Hemisphere species are made.