WINNER OF THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON GLOBAL CONSERVATION Winner of the Richard Jefferies Society and White Horse Book Shop Literary Prize ‘splendid' — Guardian ‘visionary' — New Statesman Rebirding takes the long view of Britain's wildlife decline, from the early taming of our landscape and its long-lost elephants and rhinos, to fenland drainage, the removal of cornerstone species such as wild cattle, horses, beavers and boar – and forward in time to the intensification of our modern landscapes and the collapse of invertebrate populations. It looks at key reasons why species are vanishing, as our landscapes become ever more tamed and less diverse, with wildlife trapped in tiny pockets of habitat. It explores how Britain has, uniquely, relied on modifying farmland, rather than restoring ecosystems, in a failing attempt to halt wildlife decline. The irony is that 94% of Britain is not built upon at all. And with more nature-loving voices than any European country, we should in fact have the best, not the most impoverished, wildlife on our continent. Especially when the rural economics of our game estates, and upland farms, are among the worst in Europe. Britain is blessed with all the space it needs for an epic wildlife recovery. The deer estates of the Scottish Highlands are twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. Snowdonia is larger than the Maasai Mara. The problem in Britain is not a lack of space. It is that our precious space is uniquely wasted – not only for wildlife, but for people's jobs and rural futures too. Rebirding maps out how we might finally turn things around: rewilding our national parks, restoring natural ecosystems and allowing our wildlife a far richer future. In doing so, an entirely new sector of rural jobs would be created; finally bringing Britain's dying rural landscapes and failing economies back to life. A splendid new book... all rational argument seems to be on his side. -- Tim Flannery A wonderfully imaginative book, which shows how things could be with our rapidly declining areas of countryside, instead of how - despairingly - they are now. -- Rod Liddle, journalist and writer A visionary yet practical book. -- John Burnside It has shaped how I think about my farm, and the choices we make about our land. -- James Rebanks, author of The Shepherd's Life and English Pastoral An expose, a plea, and a vision of abetter future. -- Simon Reeve Ben Macdonald has an impressive track record as a field naturalist, wildlife film-maker and writer, and this passionate, authoritative, up-to-date and, ultimately, optimistic book is a worthy comparison to such seminal works as George Monbiot's Feral and Mark Cocker's Our Place. -- Jonathan Elphick Having read a number of the recent books about rewilding, I was tempted to think, oh blimey, not another one! I am now tempted to say, they left the best till last. -- Bill Oddie Rebirding is beautifully written, based on deep, personal experience and a genuine love of the subject. You may not have come across Ben Macdonald before now; but believe me, you will hear a lot more from him in the future. -- Stephen Moss, naturalist and author With Monbiot's Feral and Isabella Tree's Wilding, Rebirding sits separate from both and is in fact an essential third book to read if you've enjoyed the others. In short, it's a captivating, fascinating and inspiring read. -- Ed Stubbs This is the best book on nature, conservation and rewilding I read in 2019 perhaps one of the best I ve ever read. I finished reading it with a real sense of hope for the future. -- Alex Roddie A book about a key subject at a key time, passionate and deeply thought-through. Anyone concerned with the future of the natural world in Britain will want to read it. -- Mike McCarthy A beautifully written, thoughtful and yes, provocative book. -- Martin Harper This is a stimulating and important book, beautifully written and well researched It provides a compelling vision for the future. -- Carl Jones A must read and a good read the type of book that grabs and keeps my attention. You should read it and I think you may well enjoy it a lot. -- Dr. Mark Avery I thoroughly recommend the book and applaud its breadth and detail... Macdonald's book has really surprised me. I have learned much I did not know about Britain's early bird faunas, and even the history of its mammals... The level of treatment and scholarly references are on a par with conservation science books. -- Peter Taylor This has to be the one book you read this year if you read no other, as its messages are myriad and its import undeniable. This is most definitely my book of the year and possibly the whole decade! -- Bo Beolens Benedict Macdonald is a conservation writer, field director in wildlife television, and a keen naturalist; passionate about restoring Britain's wildlife, pelicans included, in his lifetime. During his extensive global travel experience, Benedict has found ins