The Strange Fox Hunter

August 1781 saw the publication of a manual on fox hunting that would become a classic of its genre. Hugely popular in its own day, Peter Beckford's Thoughts on Hunting is often cited as marking the birth of modern hunting and continues to be quoted from affectionately today by the hunting fraternity. Less stressed is the fact that its subject was immediately controversial, and that a hostile review which appeared on the heels of the manual's publication raised two criticisms of fox hunting that would be repeated over the next two centuries: fox hunting was a cruel sport and a feudal, anachronistic one at that. This study explores the attacks made on fox hunting from 1781 to the legal ban achieved in 2004, as well as assessing the reasons for its continued appeal and post-ban survival. Chapters cover debates in the areas of: class and hunting; concerns over cruelty and animal welfare; party politics; the hunt in literature; and nostalgia. By adopting a thematic approach, the author is able to draw out the wider social and cultural implications of the debates, and to explore what they tell us about national identity, social mores and social relations in modern Britain.

Tallyho! The Saddle Club is in for some real excitement when Stevie’s boyfriend, Phil, invites them, along with a few other kids from their Pony Club, to participate in a genuine fox hunt. Stevie, Lisa, and Carole can’t wait for the event to begin—especially when they find out that no harm will come to the fox! But first, to give everyone a chance to learn the ropes, there’s a mock hunt at Pine Hollow Stables. As the most devious of the bunch, Stevie is chosen to play the fox. Yet on the day of the hunt, she’ll discover she isn’t the only one who’s devious . . . when her prank-playing brothers get involved in the chase!

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.