Penguin Family Life

Penguin Family Life Cherry Kearton’s 1920’s Study of Penguins

 The author of this book, Cherry Kearton from Thwaite/Mucker in upper Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales was the David Attenborough of his time at a time when wildlife photography was in its infancy. 

He spent a lot of his time devising new methods of gaining ever better vantage points for photographing wildlife. These ranged from sitting in trees, abseiling down cliff faces, to constructing ever more elaborate hides. 

As research for this book the author used the unusual approach of living in a penguin colony of three quarter of a million for a period of five months living in a tent amongst them. During this time the author and the penguins almost developed ‘family’ relationship with each other and the author even gave names to individual penguins which were appropriate to each of the penguin’s characteristics and personalities. The book is written in a very clear, concise manner whereby the study of the wildlife is written explained in context and the reader can really feel’ the experience of having been in the Antarctic. Having lived there for nearly three years the experience is very difficult to explain but this book meets the description of the experience in a true and concise manner.

 Over the period of time (five months), the author was able to identify with the penguin’s individuality and also their affection within the family group as well as their parenting skills

 There are many books written about the Antarctic and they all have their own different ‘slant’ about the way that the Antarctic is portrayed. Having lived and worked there myself when we still use dogs (huskies) I can emphasise with the comments and ethos of those who served in the Antarctic as the Antarctic is a cruel mistress.

 Anybody who has spent time in the Antarctic is worthy of respect and this includes that author of this book. Kearton was there when the chances of rescue was very slim but he put his life at risk purely to study these fascinating creatures

 The author has a very ‘easy’ gentle writing style, supported by appropriate photographs which makes for very enjoyable reading without losing any of the detail

 This book is must for budding naturalists or for people who think that one penguin is much like another and offers  an interesting and valuable insight into these fascinating creatures.

 Reviewed by Steve Wroe ex British Antarctic Survey