Author:Chris Watson,Rob Thomas
When he was fourteen years old, some friends of his parents gave wildlife sound recordist, Chris Watson, ‘The Observer's Book of Birds’. Flicking through the pages, Chris was captivated by the description of a bird which sang at night. The bird was a Nightingale; and since first reading about it, Chris has been fortunate enough to hear Nightingales both in Britain and Europe but always as part of a chorus of birds. Now, in this programme, he tries to get a microphone really close to a Nightingale to record its remarkable song - a rich, mellow series of notes. The location is Rutland Water. There are two areas here which are regularly frequented by Nightingales - the Lyndon Reserve on the South Shore and Hambleton Wood, which is on a peninsula extending out into the Reservoir. Having been guided by the Wardens from the Nature Reserve to the areas of scrub where Nightingales have been heard singing, Chris is able to rig up microphones near potential song posts. The result, after several sleepless nights and a battle with brambles and nettles is the most astonishing clear, beautiful recording of a Nightingale. In ‘Hunt for the Nightingale's Song’, the story of Chris's quest to find and record a Nightingale is inter-cut with a commentary featuring Rob Thomas (Cardiff University), and Rob Fuller (British Trust for Ornithology) about the song of the Nightingale, its composition and function. Produced by Sarah Blunt.
Bentall is one of psychiatry's most eloquent enemies . . . the drugs don't work
—— Sunday TimesIt is the very balance of his approach that drives his opponents crazy . . . Passionate . . . a brave book
—— ObserverBentall pulls no punches . . . his credentials ensure that his punches carry weight
—— GuardianPaints a stark picture of a mental health system riddled with corruption and incompetence
—— The TimesWonderful. Everyone personally or professionally concerned with mental health should read this . . . I dearly wish it could be put into the hands of the politicians and their advisors who make decisions about the life and rights of others
—— Hilary MantelAt a time when dialogue in the presence of other human beings is becoming less and less available, this brave book gives a sense of why this could be disastrous
—— Salley Vickers, Observer