New Book - In Pursuit of Butterflies

[Willrow]

Just in case this new book by - Matthew Oates In Pursuit of Butterflies - A Fifty-year Affair has not been mentioned elsewhere on this Forum, I thought you should know that it's due for publication on June 4th.

The book tells the story of Matthew Oates love affair with butterflies, it's filled with information and anecdote taken from his many carefully kept diaries over the period referred to in the title. I understand it's priced at £18.99 and published by Bloomsbury. The book is currently listed on Amazon UK and available for pre-order. I shall update this post as more information becomes available - once I have read it that is...

This new book could prove to be something really special.

Bill

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Bill! And Matthew's talking here:

http://www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/pr ... tterflies/

The website gives the following as "related":

http://www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/pr ... 50s-dance/

... not something that Matthew has ever mentioned (to me, anyway!).

Cheers,

- Pete

[Willrow]

Good opportunity for anyone living in the Hampshire area to go listen to Matthew's promotional talk and get a signed (collector's edition ) copy of In Pursuit of Butterflies!

Thanks for the link Pete.

Bill

[Susie]

I bought a copy today. So far it's a splendid read!

It was on sale in a National Trust shop for £15.00.

[Mark Tutton]

I will be going to the launch at Gilbert Whites house on the 7th June combined with a trip over the road to Noar Hill for some Dukes if the weather is reasonable
Mark

[Pete Eeles]

I've only just started reading it - but am already hooked and finding it hard to put down! I would imagine that every UKBer will see something of themselves in its pages. Educational and entertaining at the same time!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Jack Harrison]

I too have not been able to put it down. As I have already said elsewhere, it is refreshingly different for a butterfly book.

It wouldn't be true to say that I know Matthew but have met him and even had a lift in his car. Now that was an experience, not on account of his driving style but for the myriads of butterfly stickers adorning the interior of his [National Trust] company car. Matthew is one of the real characters of the modern world of wildlife and it would be a poorer place without him. His mildly eccentric character comes across well in this book.

And yes, Motthew does indeed listen to Test Match Special even in the depths of Fermyn Wood. And eccentric to the end, his binoculars are red in colour

Jack

[Mark Tutton]

Can only concur with jack and Pete great read, and I am sure that most UKB'ers will be able to relate to the sense of 'place' theme that runs through the book. I can't recommend it highly enough and my other half keeps stealing it as it very much appeals to the non butterfly enthusiast too. Matthews hour introduction at Selborne was every bit as eccentric and entertaining as you would expect too

[David M]

You should all be on commission!!!

As a result of your glowing comments, I've just been on Amazon and purchased a hard-backed issue.

Looking forward to reading it (I may well take it to France at the end of the month).

[Hugh Middleton]

Agree - it's a fantastic book.

Apparently Matthew was on Springwatch Unsprung. Does anyone know the date it was on or has a link to it please?

Thanks

Hugh

[Pete Eeles]

Agree - it's a fantastic book.

Apparently Matthew was on Springwatch Unsprung. Does anyone know the date it was on or has a link to it please?

Thanks

Hugh

Hi Hugh - start here: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150601 ... utterflies

Links are on this page.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Hugh Middleton]

Many thanks Pete

[Hugh Middleton]

Just watched it. What a lovely gentleman he is

[Willrow]

My copy of In Pursuit of Butterflies has duly arrived and will provide me with my bedtime reading - which seems to be the only time I get for reading during the butterfly season !!! Must say that judging by the positive comments posted here I should be losing lots of sleep...and sleep is something I need to pursue my 'crack of dawn' butterflying adventures...

Bill

"When in doubt - venture out"

[Jack Harrison]

The further I get into the book the greater the difficulty I have in believing that Matthew was NOT involved in that infamous fake "Tourist" sign at Birdlip a few years ago.

Jack

[Jack Harrison]

I have just finished Matthew’s book. A wonderful read. Highly recommended. I will immediately start at the beginning again.

Mathew’s enthusiasm for life comes across splendidly; it is infectious. I can relate to the excitement he experiences when seeing the first Orange-tip of the year. I can admire Matthew’s love of poetry even though I do not “get it" myself – poetry leaves me cold. And there is philosophical dabbling with spirituality. Again I can respect the fact that spirituality means a lot to Matthew even though the concept is totally alien to me.

Back to the beginning.

Jack

[Jack Harrison]

I have gone off Matthew Oates in a big way. He mentions how certain pop tunes would get into his head and he couldn’t get rid of them (I think we can all relate to that).
One of Matthew’s was the 1968 hit: “I Can’t Let Maggie Go”. I had vague recollections of that so looked it up.

Yes you can guess: I too can’t get it out of my head.

Thank you Matthew – I don’t think .

And to make all you oldies suffer as well, here is a link to the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svy00VbAcSc

Now resist clicking on that if you can.

Jack

[Neil Freeman]

Oh I can resist it Jack, I too have had tunes stuck in my head since Matthew so kindly reminded me of them .

I particularly remember that one as well as the awful bread advert (Nimble?) that also used the tune.

Cheers,

Neil.

[David M]

I'm only on page 74 of the book so far, but it has reminded me how fortunate I was to be amongst the last generation of genuinely 'outdoor' pre-teens.

Back in the late 70s, there were only 2 TV channels during the day, no videos, no 'on demand' services whatsoever. Space Invaders hadn't yet invaded and mobile phones/apps/internet were the stuff of particularly far fetched science fiction.

We were therefore compelled to make our entertainment in the great outdoors.

I will forever remain thankful for being part of that.

[Pete Eeles]

Just writing that Jack can't let "I can't let Maggie go", go, is hurting my head

Cheers,

- Pete