A classic bird book that still feels remarkably fresh today

First published in 1927, The Charm of Birds was an immediate bestseller, bringing together the sharp observations of an amateur ornithologist with an infectious enthusiasm for the natural world and a remarkably modern writing style.

Edward Grey, better known as the statesman who guided British foreign policy during the early decades of the 20th century, had a deep appreciation for birds and the landscapes around him. In The Charm of Birds, he moved away from the attitudes of an earlier age, when shooting was often seen as inseparable from a love of nature, instead celebrating the birds he encountered around his home in Northumberland and his cottage in Hampshire.

Nearly a century after its original publication, a new generation of readers is discovering Grey’s distinctive perspective and the freshness of his prose. This new edition features an introduction by bestselling nature writer Stephen Moss and a foreword by author Conor Jameson, alongside beautiful engravings by Eric Fitch Daglish.

A wonderful choice for anyone interested in classic bird books, birdwatching and the history of nature writing, The Charm of Birds offers a fascinating glimpse into one man’s enduring delight in the birds around him.