Merlin Unwin Books

07/08/2025

Let us know if you can identify this!? It was attached to the underside of an oak leaf…

05/08/2025

🐾 Step into the Jungle with Jim Corbett 🌿

Few figures in history have captivated readers quite like Jim Corbett – the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist whose gripping adventures in the forests of India have become timeless classics.

📚 At Merlin Unwin Books, we’re proud to publish beautifully crafted editions of Corbett’s most compelling works – including Man-Eaters of Kumaon and Hero of Kumaon by Duff Hart-Davis.

🔸 Whether you’re a lover of nature, adventure, or history, these books belong on your shelf.

👉 Corbett's legacy continues to inspire through his conservation efforts. Explore the life of a man who became a legend.

04/08/2025

"Taught by Dogs" by Colin Whittemore (£14) has garnered positive feedback from readers, being praised for its heartfelt and engaging storytelling that celebrates the unique bond between humans and their canine companions.

- A Heartwarming and personal account: The narrative delves into the joy and sorrow associated with having dogs, touching upon themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact these animals have on our lives.

- Celebrating dogs and countryside life: The book resonates with dog lovers and those interested in the history and changes in rural life, from the era of working farm dogs to the present day where many dogs are primarily pets. Whittemore's stories encompass a variety of breeds, including sheepdogs, terriers, collies, and his beloved Teckels (Dachshunds).

- Insightful and humorous: Readers find the book both informative and entertaining, filled with anecdotes that evoke laughter and tears.

- Positive customer ratings: On platforms like Amazon UK, the book has received a 5 out of 5-star rating based on a global rating.

04/08/2025

If you are keen to sharpen up your plant identification, or forage for edible wild food, we recommend the books by Julie and Matthew Bruton Seal. From the hedgerow to the kitchen, modern cookery to ancient remedies rediscovered.

https://merlinunwin.co.uk/collections/herbal-medicine

We recently saw a colony of rare white marsh thistles at the Lizard in Wymondham. The flowers are usually a purple colour.

04/08/2025

Botanist Pete Stroh's new book on Northampton wildlife and the resilience of nature, book review Northampton Chronicle

The Cuckoo Calls the Year (hardback £14.99)

Botanist Peter Stroh takes the reader on a month-by-month journey through the year, from the first cuckoo call in April.

04/08/2025

Calling all independent bookshops, look out for the current issue of ,(Jul/Aug). On pg.12 there is a profile of three of our authors and their new books, Helen Shaw, Pete Stroh and Charles Moseley.

- The Forest of Bowland, a photographic celebration by Helen Shaw... 'Captivating and fascinating'
- The Cuckoo Calls the Year by Pete Stroh... 'An inspiration and a delight'
- To the Eel Island by Charles Moseley... 'A delightful blend of memoir and history'

Booktime was established in 2013 and is a free magazine that celebrates bookshops across the UK and Ireland, as part of the Books Are My Bag campaign and The Booksellers Association.
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31/07/2025

A shropshire wildlife update from the garden. Sometimes you need to take a second to look closer at the underside of a leaf, or the edge of a path and you will be rewarded with surprising wildlife sightings.

These photos were taken by Jo in as we are keeping an eye on the caterpillar growth. The had eaten much of the foliage on the lower branches and were heading up the tree to feed on new growth.

Books that inspire us to take time to look for nature:
Wild Enthusiasm by Steve Wright
The Cuckoo Calls the Year by Pete Stroh
My Wood by Stephen Dalton
Roger Evans farming diaries
To Everything a Season by Charles Moseley
Laurence Catlow's observations when our flyfishing
Peter May's match fishing book, End Peg

29/07/2025

A limited time offer to pre-order a copy of a new book we are excited to announce. The Great British Seafood Revival by CJ Jackson and photography by . 📚

The book will be on offer 28-31 July online only from using the code ‘Summer25’. 🐟

Keep an eye on our social media page for more updates ahead of publication 16th October 2025. 🇬🇧

24/07/2025

Author Pete Stroh visited Redlake Valley in Shropshire to host a guided walk on the plants and wildlife that thriving in the area. A professional botanist, Pete shared his knowledge in plant identification and also spoke about his new book, The Cuckoo Calls the Year. It was a successful evening walk enjoyed by all who took part, thank you to Sarah for hosting (link below to her conservation project), to Pete for leading the walk, to the team who provided refreshments and to all who attended.

https://sarahnewinvention.wixsite.com/we-bought-a-field

Photo credit: Sarah Gillard of author Pete Stroh.

23/07/2025

With a career spanning decades, Jose has contributed significantly to promoting sustainable and ethical food practices, making him a respected figure in the culinary world. Jose was born to Spanish parents, has worked as a chef for many years at the House of Commons and now is Senior Chef Lecturer in Culinary Art at London’s internationally renowned Westminster Capital City college. He is the author of two books, Venison and Feathers in The Game Larder series.

Jose is attending The Game Fair at Ragley Hall this weekend on 25-27th July 2025
https://thegamefair.org/basc-wild-food-theatre-at-the-game-fair/

Venison: The Game Larder
Venison is experiencing an unprecedented growth in popularity with the British public as a delicious, healthy and increasingly available dish.
* over 50 innovative international venison recipes
* deer from hillside to table
* venison butchery and cuts
* smoking and curing venison recipes
* over 200 top-quality food-styling and wildlife photos

Feathers: The Game Larder
Steve Lee’s stunning photographs showcase more than the 55 modern, international recipes from master game chef José Souto and his culinary friends – they impart the beauty of game birds in the field, from source to plate.

19/07/2025

Chef Jose Luis Souto will be attending The Game Fair from the 25-27th July. We hope you can join him at the BASC - The British Association for Shooting and Conservation Wild Food Kitchen where he will be hosting cookery demonstrations each day, solo and in partnership.

Jose is the author of Venison and Feathers - The Game Larder. His books teach you all you need to know about game cookery, from field to fork. All the recipes in the book are paired with stunning and informative photos by Steve Lee.