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A Sanctuary Planted
The creation of a wildlife sanctuary in a garden in Horam, Sussex.
191 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 16, 2021
INTELLIGENT ARTICULATE AND WISE
This was an absorbing and inspiring read with special interest for me. The book is the author’s account of how he took charge of an acre of land and turned it into a wildlife sanctuary. This is exactly what my wife and I are just starting to do with a field of about two acres, so of course I was keen to learn from Walter Murray’s successes and mistakes.
He did not make many mistakes. Most of his initiatives turn out very happily, and he has many blessings and pieces of good fortune along the way.
Mr Murray writes in a poetic style, very descriptive and full of warm enthusiasm for his subject. There are times, especially in the short final chapter, where he lets his romantic imagination take over in an exaggerated and less effective way, but the vast majority of this book is intelligent, articulate and wise.
Murray’s thinking in the mid-twentieth century was well ahead of his time. He sees the complete picture, emphasising the importance of insects, for example, in the whole eco-system and not just concentrating on obvious examples of exciting or beautiful wildlife.
There is a lot of useful practical advice/explanation in this book, and the philosophy behind it is, most of the time, exemplary for anyone who cares for the planet we live on. This book will be of value to any eco-conscious reader, whether they are creating a full-scale wildlife sanctuary of their own or just have a few plant pots on a windowsill.
This was an absorbing and inspiring read with special interest for me. The book is the author’s account of how he took charge of an acre of land and turned it into a wildlife sanctuary. This is exactly what my wife and I are just starting to do with a field of about two acres, so of course I was keen to learn from Walter Murray’s successes and mistakes.
He did not make many mistakes. Most of his initiatives turn out very happily, and he has many blessings and pieces of good fortune along the way.
Mr Murray writes in a poetic style, very descriptive and full of warm enthusiasm for his subject. There are times, especially in the short final chapter, where he lets his romantic imagination take over in an exaggerated and less effective way, but the vast majority of this book is intelligent, articulate and wise.
Murray’s thinking in the mid-twentieth century was well ahead of his time. He sees the complete picture, emphasising the importance of insects, for example, in the whole eco-system and not just concentrating on obvious examples of exciting or beautiful wildlife.
There is a lot of useful practical advice/explanation in this book, and the philosophy behind it is, most of the time, exemplary for anyone who cares for the planet we live on. This book will be of value to any eco-conscious reader, whether they are creating a full-scale wildlife sanctuary of their own or just have a few plant pots on a windowsill.
July 21, 2018
A quiet and unassuming book with insights into the natural world, and with comments and passages of great beauty.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews