Whistling in the Dark: In Pursuit of the Nightingale [Hardcover]

Eminent and highly respected nature writer Richard Mabey regardsWhistling in the Darkas one of hisTop Ten most significant books. After being exceptionally well-received on publication, it remains the only title from his collection that is no longer in print, and the timing feels perfect to bring thischerished text backinto circulation as a classic edition.

Nightingales have acquired a newly high profile in the past couple of years, as a consequence of revelations about the collapse in their numbers and renewed interest on their cultural history. Each May there are now radio programmes broadcasting - sometimes live - songs and readings from woods in southern England.

Thisnew and fully revisededition of Whistling in the Dark promises to be richer than ever, featuring:

• New first-hand accountsof nightingale performances, capturing their ethereal beauty at home and across the globe.
  
  
• Insightful explorationsinto the bird’s recent population changes, unveiling possible causes behind their mysterious decline.
  
  
• A newly uncovered storydetailing how the nightingale’s song featured in the iconic 1924 live BBC broadcast with cellist Beatrice Harrison was, in reality, the work of a remarkably talented human bird mimic.

• Cutting-edge scientific and philosophical perspectiveson the profound relationship between birdsong and music.

Whistling in the Darkwill be accompanied by an enhanced audiobook adaptation with sound inserts – not just the nightingale’s song itself, but also medieval songs inspired by the bird, the poignant BBC recording of a nightingale singing amid the roar of bombers during WWII, and Messiaen’s evocative piano piece fromLes Oiseaux.

Praise for Whistling in the Dark
A book so delightful I must share it. It is poetry and prose, natural history, memoir, myth and musicl³.