Latest news from Merlin Unwin Books
| January & February 2009 (06/01/2009) |
New books coming soon
We start the New Year planning two exciting new books for March. First off the press will be a new book Innocent Victims, Rescuing the Stranded Animals of Zimbabwe’s Farm Invasions. This is Meryl Harrison’s extra-ordinary story of her part in this mission, told by Zimbabwean journalist Catherine Buckle.
March 26th is the 150th anniversary of the birth of A. E. Housman, and as Ludlow-based publishers, we’re proud to bring out the first edition of A Shropshire Lad to be illustrated with colour photographs of this beautiful county.
At the end of March, we also bring out, in paperback, our highly-acclaimed account of a vet’s life in modern Kenya, And Miles to Go Before I Sleep. If you want the book in hardback – it's your last chance because we only have a very few copies still available! Shooting gifts
Finally, as the shooting season comes to a close, what better gift to give your host than a copy of Laurence Catlow’s latest book, That Strange Alchemy: Pheasants, Trout and a Middle-Aged Man – which was described in the latest edition of Irish Country Sports and Country Life as ‘at the pinnacle of contemporary fieldsports writing’.
Details of all these books are on our website.
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| December 2008 (01/12/2008) |
A message from Merlin Unwin Books
No more doom and gloom – Merlin Unwin Books is bringing joy to everyone this Christmas. A book is a thoughtful but good-value gift: it shows you that have chosen with care and it gives hours of pleasure. We can send a book, at no extra charge to you, direct to your friends and family – only £3.50 per address, no matter now many books you are sending.
Book reviews
Here are a small selection of the accolades we've received from reviewers over the last few months. Click on the book title to see more reviews for each book:
The Complete Illustrated Directory Of Salmon Flies
‘The sheer scope and ambition of the Directory is enormous and it works brilliantly. Honest, well-ordered information…. If you like salmon flies, if you fish for salmon and are seeking inspiration – treat yourself!’ Flyfishing & Flytying Magazine, December 2008
That Strange Alchemy
‘A celebration of all that is wonderful about our treasured sporting pastimes, and a perfect gift for the shooting man or woman in your life. If you need a book to warm the soul this winter, then look no further than Laurence Catlow’s latest.’ Shooting Gazette, December 2008
The Naturalist’s Bedside Book
‘A poetic style that is laced with BB’s knowledgeable opinion on the natural world. An early Christmas treat for all.’ The Field, December 2008
Willie Irving: Terrierman, Huntsman & Lakelander
‘Sean Frain’s account of Willie Irving’s life brilliantly captures the way that country sports were enjoyed in the first half of the 20th century. A fine account of a true countryman.’ Shooting Gazette, December 2008
Nature’s Playthings
‘The text is clear and simple and the photos inspiring – the leaf boats compare with the best environmental art. I want one for Christmas.’ Children & Young People Now, 6-12 November 2008
Hedgerow Medicine
‘Contains enough information to save the NHS a fortune.’ This England, Autumn 2008
The Countryside Cartoon Joke Book
‘A whole lot more of laughs from the talented Roger Penwill. He has a great eye…’ The Countryman, September 2008
Merry Christmas from us all at Merlin Unwin Books!
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| November 2008 (03/11/2008) |
Merlin Unwin Books out and about
We’ll be selling a range of our countryside books at the autumn fair upstairs at the Ludlow Food Centre, Bromfield, Nr Ludlow 10.30am-4pm on Saturday 8 November. If you're in the area do come along and have a browse. Meet us at the BASC Northern Roadshow at Chester Racecourse on the evening of Friday 14 November. Doors open 7pm. It's a great occasion and a good opportunity to buy for Christmas. We'll have signed copies of Geese! Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot, Willie Irving, and the Complete Directory of Salmon Flies, as well as copies of most of our shooting, game and fieldsports books. We'll have some of our deluxe leather-bound books there too. The British Flyfair
Chris Mann, author of the new Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon Flies, was at the British Flyfair, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday 1 November together with Merlin Unwin. Chris had the chance to meet and talk to many avid salmon flytyers and was also signing copies of his book.
Laurence Catlow
Laurence Catlow, whose new book That Strange Alchemy, has been published by us this autumn, has just been dubbed ‘one of the finest sporting writers alive’ by Shooting Times.
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| October 2008 (02/10/2008) |
New books
The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon Flies is published 10 October but is available to buy through our website now! 480 full colour pages, a beautiful hardback with a gold foil panel on its cover and spine. Meanwhile 100 limited edition deluxe leather-bound versions of it are currently being bound and many have already been reserved. For details of our limited edition leather range, please see our the Special Editions section of our website or ring us for more information on any particular title (01584 877456).
Merlin Unwin Books brochure
This month all our books have been promoted in our 20-page brochure, which has been inserted in all subscription copies of Country Living, Country Smallholding, Countryman’s Weekly, and The Countryman. Already we are having a very good response. Any of you who have ordered from us in the last few years will automatically receive a brochure posted directly to you.
All our books are also on view on this website.
Books ordered directly through us are with customers within a week: our current list has the perfect, thoughtful Christmas present for most friends and families!
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| September 2008 (01/09/2008) |
Deluxe leather editions
September sees the launch of Merlin Unwin Books’ new list of selected deluxe leather editions. These books are available exclusively from us, so we have not added a trade margin to the prices: this means we can make them affordable not just to professional book collectors but also to our customers who have fallen in love with a particular title and who would like to own a signed, leather edition of their favourite book at such a price that they aren’t afraid to read and enjoy it!
We have not stinted on quality though. All the books are hand-bound in elegant goatskin leather by the finest craftsmen in Ludlow, all are signed, numbered, with hand-marbled endpapers, matching head and tail bands, gold or silver blocked on spine and front, gilded edges, with silk ribbon marker and in a top quality slipcase.
Titles in the series so far are:
The Byerley Turk
Private Thoughts from a Small Shoot
Flyfishing in Ireland
The Secret Carp
The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon Flies
Willie Irving: Terrierman, Huntsman & Lakelander
Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler
For full details of our deluxe titles please follow this Special Editions link or if you would like us to post you the information please ring us on 01584 877456.
New books
Three new books are available this month: The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon Flies, The Naturalists’ Bedside Book, and That Strange Alchemy. For full details, see the New Books section on the website.
Merlin Unwin Books Brochure 2008
Our new autumn 2008 brochure is also published this month, featuring all of Merlin Unwin Books current titles, and this is mailed out to all our existing mail order customers or you can download a copy by clicking on the ‘our catalogue’ at the top of this page.
Merlin Unwin Books in the Lake District
We had a great time in August at the Lowther Show, Penrith, launching our new book Willie Irving: Terrierman, Huntsman and Lakelander, and it was lovely to meet so many of you on our stand. However, the weather was not kind, and by day 3 the organisers had to face facts and close down the show. When we’ve cleaned our marquee, we hope to be back again one year soon! The image below gives you some idea of the conditions at Lowther.  |
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| July & August 2008 (02/07/2008) |
New books coming soon
Willie Irving: Terrierman, Huntsman & Lakelander is published 8 August 2008 (price £17.99). Willie Irving was one of the founders of the Lakeland Terrier breed (and a top breeder for half a century), Master of the Melbreak Foxhounds and a champion fell runner. Author, Sean Frain, has been given exclusive access to archive material by the Irving family and his book is full of hunting anecdotes and extraordinary feats of Willie Irving’s hounds and terriers. This book is a delightful and thrilling journey through the life and times of a truly amazing country character.
The Countryside Cartoon Joke Book is published August 2008 (price £5.99). The perfect gift - this full colour book is packed with 122 of Roger Penwill’s witty countryside cartoons.
Meet the authors (and us)!
Merlin Unwin Books are taking a stand at the Lowther Show, Penrith, on 8, 9 and 10 August. Come and join us at our stand where we will launch Sean Frain’s new book, a lively account of Willie Irving, Terrierman, Huntsman and Lakelander. Sean will be signing copies and answering questions about the Lakeland terrier and traditional fell hunting packs on Saturday and Sunday. Also at the stand and signing copies on Friday will be Laurence Catlow, (Confessions of a Shooting Fishing Man, Private Thoughts from a Small Shoot and Once a Flyfisher) whose new book That Strange Alchemy is due out later this autumn.
We will have a full selection of our books available, including samples of our beautiful brand-new leather limited editions of The Byerley Turk, Private Thoughts from a Small Shoot, Flyfishing in Ireland, Secret Carp and Geese!
It’s always good to meet an author you have enjoyed, and we always welcome an opportunity to discuss which future titles you would like us to publish, and to have your feedback.
Merlin Unwin Books out and about
It was lovely to have the opportunity to meet so many of you at the BASC Northern Ireland Game Fair at Ballywalter, Co Down, over the weekend of 3/4 May. The image below shows Karen McCall (Managing Director of Merlin Unwin Books) manning our stand.
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| May & June 2008 (02/05/2008) |
Hedgerow Medicine
On 15 May we publish our latest beautiful new full-colour book Hedgerow Medicine by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal and we are expecting a lot of press publicity so look out for it in both the national press and countryside magazines. The book is hot off the press and available for our web customers to order now!
Nature’s Playthings
On 17 April we published Nature’s Playthings by Alison Wilson Smith. Alison’s beautiful book is also full colour and is designed to inspire you to show your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and godchildren how to have fun outdoors with conkers, grass whistles, flea darts, pooh sticks, water dowsing, leaf boats, pond-dipping and much more!
The Times Educational Supplement have already said “Alison Wilson Smith has done us a great service in reminding us that children don’t need the latest hi-tech gadget to have fun. Nature’s Playthings is packed with simple yet creative ideas for outdoor play, inspired almost entirely by the author’s recollections of her childhood.”
Merlin Unwin Books out and about
Don’t forget – over the May Bank holiday (3/4 May) we will have a stand at the BASC Northern Ireland Game Fair at Ballywalter, Co Down – hope to see you there!
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| March & April 2008 (03/03/2008) |
Merlin Unwin Books steps out in leather!
During the next few months we will be producing fine, hand-bound leather editions of the following titles:
Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler
Private Thoughts from a Small Shoot
Flyfishing in Ireland
The Byerley Turk
The Secret Carp
These will be strictly limited editions, so please register an interest with us as soon as possible. If you would like a full specification and order form for any particular title, please email us at books@merlinunwin.co.uk stating which title(s) you are interested in.
Nature’s Playthings
Next month we publish Nature’s Playthings, a beautiful full colour book reviving memories for parents and grandparents of all that wonderful outdoor fun they used to have with conkers, grass whistles, flea darts, pooh sticks, water dowsing, leaf boats, pond-dipping and much more….. Get the next generation playing outdoors!
Merlin Unwin Books out and about
Meet the authors and editors at the following events, where we are planning to have a stand during 2008:
Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair in the Lake District 8, 9 & 10 August 2008 where we hope to have Sean Frain, Laurence Catlow, Edward Miller and Jill and David Mason
The BASC Northern Ireland Centenary Game Fair in County Down, Northern Ireland 3 & 4 May 2008
BASC Northern Roadshow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, during the evening of 21 November 2008 with Edward Miller, author of Geese!
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| January & February 2008 (03/01/2008) |
Shooting gifts
Looking for that ideal shooting book to give to your host at the close of the season? We would recommend Edward Miller’s highly successful new book, Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler as a great enthuser for cold dawns and camaraderie of those hardy sportsmen – or Dig Hadoke’s full colour Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot (and that’s any pre-1939 gun). Both titles have had excellent press reviews (see details on our website).
Flytying
At this time of year, the salmon fishers among you will be sorting their fly boxes in anticipation of the new season. Now is the time to tie up some new flies and where better to seek inspiration than Chris Mann’s full colour pictures and dressings in his reference book Featherwing and Hackle Flies for Salmon. For the chance to win a copy, follow this link to our competitions page.
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| December 2007 (03/12/2007) |
WANTED: corporate customer for Merlin’s Daily Fishing Calendar 2009:
Thanks to all those of you who have said you don’t know how you’re going to live without it next year! We’re really disappointed but we aren’t bringing out the calendar for 2008. It’s just too much pressure for us to sell the required number between October and December each year – only a 12-week window. What we need to underpin the venture are a couple of corporate customers who would have a large number of copies at very high discount, with their own logo on. If you hear of anyone, we’d be back for 2009!
Geese! Memiors of a Wildfowler
It was wonderful for us and for author Edward Miller to meet so many friends and customers at the BASC Northern Roadshow on 16 November at Haydock Park racecourse. The image below shows Ed signing copies of Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler at the BASC evening. With him are his wife Annie and son Jago.
Book reviews
You might have spotted some of the great reviews we’ve been receiving in the press for our new autumn titles, including:
Rural England, What’s Happening Month by Month
‘At last a book on the countryside by someone who really knows the countryside. The photographs are superb. If you can’t actually get out into the country, this is the next best thing.’ BASC Magazine, November/December 2007
The Gigantic Book of Fishing Stories
‘800-page barnstormer that contains probably every fishing story worth a damn. Your quest to find something to get you through the winter stops here.’ Trout Fisherman, November 2007
Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler
‘Ed Miller has created a work which will, I have not the slightest doubt, come to be recognised as a classic.’ Shooting Times & Country Magazine, 15 November 2007
Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot
‘Aimed at the amateur shooter in a clear and practical way, it explains how to choose the right vintage gun, what to do at the gun auction, how to restore your vintage gun to full working order and the costs involved. If you fancy using a vintage gun in the field then this is your book.’ Fieldsports magazine Winter 2007/8
Maynard, Secrets of a Bacon Curer
'There are many setbacks and it paints an honest and occasionally harsh picture of real life in the countryside – thieves, criminal gypsies, grasping contractors, fraudulent clients et al. But it also offers a heart-warming account of Davies’s vocation: to keep alive the rich tradition of English bacon. A hidden gem.' The Oldie magazine, Autumn 2007
Trout from a Boat, Tips Techniques and Experiences
‘Beautifully illustrated with mouth-watering images of stunning fish, this book will delight, educate and enthral.’ Trout and Salmon magazine December 2007
And Miles to Go Before I Sleep
‘Excellently written and in turns laugh-aloud funny and deeply moving.’ Farmer’s Guardian, October 2007
A Celebration of Salmon Rivers
‘If you only buy one fishing book this Christmas, then this is it. A collection of more than 50 writers relating personal experiences on favourite rivers, beautifully photographed. With all proceeds to NASF – it has everything to recommend it.’ Fieldsports Magazine, Winter 2007 issue
A message from Merlin Unwin Books
All our titles on the website are, as always, in stock and available and despatched next day. Don’t forget we are happy to send the books you order, direct to your family and friends if your prefer, saving you all the hassle!
Merry Christmas from us all at Merlin Unwin Books!
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| November 2007 (01/11/2007) |
Book reviews
We’re delighted with the reviews for our all our new autumn books. In particular, Rural England, What's happening month by month is receiving wide acclaim (click on new books then click on any of the jacket pictures for more details - the reviews are at the bottom of each page).
Geese!
We look forward to seeing you all at BASC’s Northern Roadshow on 16 November, 7pm where we’ll have a range of our books and the irrepressible Edward Miller, author of Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler. Get your signed copy on the night.
Vintage Guns
Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot was launched with a lively party at Purdeys in London last month. Diggory Hadoke was there to give advice on any pre-1939 gun, and if you want to know more, contact Dig on www.vintageguns.co.uk or buy his practical, beautiful book! The image below shows Dig signing copies of his book at the launch in the Long Room at Purdeys.
Mushrooming without Fear
Mushrooming without Fear, that ingenious technique for safe picking, was promoted by Slow Food who flew author Alex Schwab over from Switzerland to give a series of lectures, which were a sell-out. The image below shows Alex demonstrating a mushroom dryer during his talk to Slow Food mushrooming enthusiasts at Hopton Court, Worcestershire during the weekend of 20/21 October..
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| October 2007 (01/10/2007) |
Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler
Meet Edward Miller, colourful author of our new book Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler who will be signing copies and giving wildfowling tips at the evening BASC Northern Roadshow at Haydock Park Racecourse on Friday 16 November from 7pm. We’ll also be there and look forward to meeting you on our stand.
Vintage Guns for the modern Shot
Diggory Hadoke was evaluating and advising on any pre-1939 guns at the recent Midland Game Fair. If you have any questions about restoring, investing in or, ideally, using and enjoying one of your old guns, he regularly attends the vintage gun auctions at Sotheby’s, Holts, Christies and Bonhams and would be happy to give advice – or via his website www.vintageguns.co.uk. The image below shows Dig giving customers an advance preview of his new book, Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot, at the Midland Game Fair at Weston Park 15/16 September 2007.
General news
All our new autumn books are now available and we hope there is something in our wide-ranging countryside list for everyone. If you want to send one of our books as a Christmas present, don’t forget that it will cost you only £3.50 UK p&p for us to do all the work for you! Just ring us on 01584 877456.
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| September 2007 (04/09/2007) |
Our new autumn titles are now arriving in our warehouse and as they come in, we put them live on the website, so keep watching during September and October as they become available to order.
New books available now
Rural England, What’s Happening Month by Month is being reviewed in many magazines and newspapers throughout the autumn and all those who have enjoyed Jill Mason’s The Hare and The Townies Guide to the Countryside will not be disappointed with her new, sumptuous and fact-packed book.
On behalf of NASF, the charity dedicated to the preservation of salmon, we have published at no profit the beautiful book, A Celebration of Salmon Rivers, a showcase for over 50 of the world’s finest Atlantic Salmon rivers, and all net profits go to the charity.
See also our new page-turning vet book, And Miles to Go Before I Sleep, A British Vet in Africa, written by a brilliant new author of ours, Hugh Cran, a working vet with a very busy and unpredictable practice indeed! You can read a short extract if you click on the 'look inside' logo above the book jacket.
Trout from a Boat, Tips Techniques and Experiences, has a large feature in Trout and Salmon magazine’s October issue, and will help anyone keen improve their performance for this autumn’s back-end trout – and for all the other fishing months too!
Armchair fishers can meanwhile settle down with our new Gigantic Book of Fishing Stories – all 800 pages of it!
New books coming soon
Diggory Hadoke’s new book, Vintage Guns for the Modern Shot, will be launched at the Midland Game Fair (15/16 September) where Dig will be on Sporting Shooter’s stand, giving free advice on buying, maintaining and enjoying using old guns – and there will be a launch party at Purdey’s in London on 2 October.
Geese! Memoirs of a Wildfowler is published on 3 October and it is already previewed in the September issue of Sporting Shooter. You can read a short extract if you click on the 'look inside' logo above the book jacket.
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| July/August 2007 (03/07/2007) |
Maynard, Secrets of a Bacon Curer
Thanks to everyone who attended our launch of Maynard Davies’ new book, Maynard, Secrets of a Bacon Curer, on 28 June. The venue, Tanner’s historic wine cellars in Shrewsbury, really added to the atmosphere as we tasted bacon-matched wines and celebrated the funny, wise and lively account of one man’s life trying to make a living from the bacon he loves. The image below shows Maynard (centre), Karen McCall (Managing Director of Merlin Unwin Books) and Merlin Unwin.
Coming Soon
Next book available will be Trout from a Boat by Dennis Moss, the must-have full-colour hardback giving you all the tips you could need for catching wild brownies, salmon and seatrout from natural waters and rainbows and wild game fish from reservoirs: including the different methods throughout the different seasons. This will be available from mid-July – watch the website! Or ring 01584 877456 to place an advance order.
Press reviews
Great reviews for Peter O’Reilly’s new edition of Loughs of Ireland and for that quirky, informative book The Crossbow by Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey, have resulted in strong sales.
Reprints coming soon
We’re currently reprinting Mushrooming without Fear (£14.99) which arrives mid-July and The Country-Lover’s Joke Book (£4.99) which arrives early August.
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| May/June 2007 (03/05/2007) |
New books available now
Hot off the press is Peter O’Reilly’s long-awaited 4th edition of Loughs of Ireland. This information-packed reference book is essential reading for anyone even thinking of wetting a fly on Ireland’s stillwaters and it contains some very encouraging news about some of the famous loughs.
New books coming soon
Maynard, Secrets of a Bacon Curer is out at the end of June. Maynard’s fans will be able to learn what happened to him when he laid on a spectacular meat feast for his daughter’s wedding, when he disarmed a sausage con-woman, insulted a pop-star customer, saw off the Health Inspectors and ruined some smoked cheeses.
Flies of Scotland by Stan Headley will be on sale from the middle of May – watch this website! This book has been out of print for three years and we bring it back by popular demand.
Big Fish Radio
For that car journey to reach your fishing destination, join the band of discerning anglers who have bought the CD Big Fish Radio. A NEW TRACK has been uploaded on our website – just click the speaker icon to listen before you buy…. And email us to let us know what you think of it.
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| March/April 2007 (01/03/2007) |
New books available now
March sees our money on The Byerley Turk, the new £7.99 paperback edition of our best-selling true story of the first thoroughbred. This magnificent C17th horse had a life of incredible danger and adventure and the ripping yarn is available via our website NOW! We’re celebrating its launch at the Cheltenham Race Festival on Tuesday 12 March.
The Crossbow, Its Military and Sporting History, Construction and Use, is our new reissue of Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey’s quirky, illustrated celebration of this weapon. It includes an Appendix which looks at such siege engines as the catapult, the balista and the Turkish bow. We have brought this book out to the delight of enthusiasts, military historians and those who have already enjoyed our Practical Guide to Man-Powered Bullets.
New books coming soon
Fans of Maynard, the Adventures of a Bacon Curer have only three months to wait for his much-requested second book, Maynard, Secrets of a Bacon Curer which we publish in June 2007 and it’s every bit as riveting as his first 3-times reprinted tale of his life in bacon! Maynard will be at the Hay Food Festival on 30 June. Entry is free.
Flies of Scotland, the definitive work by Stan Headley, is back in print with us, available from the middle of May 2007.
We had a very enthusiastic response in Dublin at Ireland Angling 2007 for our two forthcoming books – the completely revised 4th edition of Loughs of Ireland which is published in May 2007 - and Trout from a Boat by Dennis Moss, published in July 2007. The image below shows Peter O’Reilly (right) presenting Lionel Knobbs (centre) with his winning raffle prize of a Sage flyrod. Merlin Unwin is on the left.
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