The language of birds is very ancient, and, like other ancient modes of speech,
very elliptical: little is said, but much is meant and understood...
 
Gilbert White, Letter XLIII to Daines Barrington, 9 September 1778
 
'The Natural History of Selborne' has become part of that curious concoction of
ideas and artefacts, which are seen as somehow defining 'the English way of
life.'
 
First appearing in 1788, 'Selborne' is the fourth most frequently published book
in the English language, behind The Bible, the Oxford English Dictionary and the
works of William Shakespeare.
 
When English settlers emigrated to the colonies in the last century, 'Selborne'
was packed alongside the family bibles and sprigs of heather. Coleridge jotted
notes in the margin of his copy and thought it 'a sweet and delightful book'.
Darwin praised it as one of the chief reasons for his interest in biology.
 
(Extracts reproduced by the kind permission of Richard Mabey from his award
winning biography of Gilbert White in 1986.)
 
Gilbert White was a pioneering naturalist and ornithologist. White was born at
Selborne Hampshire, England on July 18, 1720. His house in Selborne, The Wakes,
now contains the Gilbert White Museum, as well as the Oates Memorial Museum,
commemorating Frank and Lawrence Oates.
 
For the very first time, 'The Natural History of Selborne' is now available as
an unabridged audio book download, and has duration of almost 11 hours of
magical listening.
 
The narrator, James Taylor, has more than 40 years experience as a professional
actor. He also insisted on studying Richard Mabey's biography of Gilbert White
before producing a truly compelling performance. With the kind assistance of
Julian Reynolds, Head of Biology, Trinity College, Dublin, this recording also
includes Latin translations of everything noted by White in his incredible and
meticulous observations.
 
'Selborne' is a unique listening experience. 200 years after it was first
published it still reveals "The secret parish in all of us."
 
To purchase this download title please visit:
 
http://www.gilbertwhiteselborne.com/


Enjoy!
 
John Mayfield
Producer ÒThe Natural History of Selborne.Ó

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