Derek Gow writes with wit and good humour whilst at the same time portraying the ignorance and complexity faced of re introducing a native species. At times I shared his anger and frustration at the red tape that conservationists face and of course it was always the beavers that lost out. Fortunately the tide of feeling is changing and the book finishes on a positive note and we all need that beacon of hope in these times. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Such a delightful read! I just had to finish it in one sitting. Derek Gow delves into the fascinating history of the Beaver and the politics which surround attempts to reintroduce them to the British wilderness. At times the writing is light and witty, at others somber and defiant, but it is always a powerful read, one that highlights the dangers of man’s meddling with the balance of precious ecosystems. Each sentence is injected with Derek How‘s passion for the natural world— definitely something that we need at the moment! An easy 5 stars.

Sometime you read a book where the passion of the author and the beauty of the language is so immersive that you reach the end feeling that you’ve been on an incredible journey. This is a multi-faceted book; an historical exploration of the beaver within Britain and across Mainland Europe; a glorious description of the countryside , wildlife and the atmospheres it provokes but most of all this is a love story to a forgotten and neglected native species and the trials and tribulations to return the beaver to its rightful place in the British landscape. The frustrations and “brick walls” encountered along the way from ill-informed and biased organisations and Government departments is quite frightening when we consider the fragility of the planet and ecosystems. However the perseverance and bloody- minded tenacity of Derek Gow and compatriates finally provides some ray of hope for the future. From a wildlife enthusiast who knew little about the beavers within Europe, this a stunning book- full of fascinating facts blended with comical events and the challenges encountered by Derek. This is a book to be enjoyed but more importantly helps to broaden all of our knowledge about the battles that are to be met when trying to bring a balance back to nature that has been destroyed by man’s greed and short-sightedness. After recent global events,, this book shines a light on the potential that mankind can achieve if it works together.Thank you, Derek , for a beautiful and moving book .

I spent all day today reading this book. It's one of the first days of cold - the winter is coming, in the USA RBG lies in state - the threat of a second lockdown looms - people are miserable, isolated - the news is mercilessly depressing and everything and everyone seems to have gone crazy. Except Derek Gow. This book presents as a story about the rewilding of Britain's waterways with beavers - but, for this reader at any rate, the story is one man's determination to do what needs doing in spite of the petty minded insanity, stupidity and ignorant prejudice all around him. When Derek writes, 'Have no regard for the words of the witless. They neither love nor care.' I feel as if he is speaking directly to me. All those of us that struggle to protect the natural world have felt despair at petty authoritarians and pen pushers at Whitehall who, (to quote Greta Thunberg) put 'the fairy-tale dream of eternal economic growth' before the protection of the very planet on which we live. Those of us that care profoundly that this week humans are cutting down 300 year old trees for a railway they neither want nor need - can easily feel alone. It is easy to feel a huge weight of sadness - they are 'culling' badgers again this week. But here - between the covers of this book - is a sane man. Here is a man who has just kept going and kept taking actions to restore wildlife to our countryside. There must have been many times when he felt downcast, discouraged, overwhelmed by all the stupidity. But he kept going. And we have beavers living wild in the UK. I feel so profoundly grateful to him. And that's why 'Bringing Back the Beaver' has five stars from me and would have ten if I could give them. A beautiful book, a profound and important book and a consoling book at a moment when, heaven knows, we need positive optimists and consolation. Thank you Derek Gow.