Interrupted Journeys: Badgers and Other Roadside Distractions

by Adrian Potter

'Remarkable . . . tender, direct and clear-sighted' TLS

When Adrian Potter retires from a life of teaching in West Yorkshire, his interests turn to a local badger group. He takes over the 'Badger Phone', which he comes to realise is something of a hot potato. He is inundated with reports of sightings, requests for advice about feeding, complaints about badgers digging up lawns. Adrian, reborn as the 'Badger Man', travels West Yorkshire with two other enthusiasts in Pam, and Derek, a retired miner with ruined teeth. However, it doesn't stop with badgers. Adrian soon finds himself taking on fox and deer incidents, because no network of care exists for these other larger mammals.

Interrupted Journeys is an unconventional memoir about one man's experiences with animals that lead hidden lives, and the consequences when they collide with our world. It movingly describes the author nursing wounded badger cubs, rescuing injured roe deer, liberating trapped foxes, as well as encounters with a host of other animals. And it thrillingly reveals a man who finds a second childhood in later life through contact with nature.

Genres: Nature

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

Reviews

[Oborozukyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining read, with a lot on information on badgers and other British fauna and an excellent sense of place.

Unlike some other badger books I've read, this is not overly sentimental and mawkish, which isn't a surprise given it mainly deals with animals killed or injured in road traffic accidents. Luckily, the author has a very dry wit which leavens the subject matter and there was an interesting cast of characters. The author's dedication to data- and animal- gathering is impressive and I look forward to reading more.

[Readiverse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Potter, a retired teacher, shares his experiences of running the ‘badger hotline’, responding to calls of stranded and/or injured wildlife. Amongst his recollections are rescue attempts of foxes and deers as well as the aforementioned namesake of the book. The anecdotal narrative is supplemented with ample factual information on the featured animals, their abodes, rearing habits and temperaments. Potter also provides a useful glossary of terminology for those unfamiliar with his rural vernacular.

This book was an encouraging reminder of the human capacity for goodness and care for something beyond the self. Nonetheless, it was not as inspiring and tender as some of the other nature reads I have come across taking a more clinical approach, particularly when referencing skulls and anatomy. Still this criticism might just be a matter of preference rooted in a tendency to anthropomorphise the animal kingdom far too much (I hold the writer of The Animals of Farthing Wood accountable for this :’)).

[Libby Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely read following Potter in his protective role of his countryside animals.

The writing is truly encapsulating and it's easy to imagine being there with Potter on these discoveries and observational investigations. It has a message of love for those countryside animals you might be lucky enough to glimpse and looks at them in a way that we often forget to.

Anyone who reads this will have a corner of their heart saved forever more for those badgers, foxes and deer of the land around us.

[Ivan Monckton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible notch potch of a book by someone who considers checking wether badgers like marmalade on their toast makes him a naturalist. I am amazed that this terrible book found a main stream publisher.

[Gideon Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, it was great to experience this kind of perspective. It just became a bit repetitive for me towards the end.

[Joseph Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a badger geek this book looked a safe bet, and so it proved. This unpretentious little book is a good read even if it lost a bit of momentum towards the end (fewer badger stories!! 🦡🦡). Love the cover design!