Return of the peregrine

The Peregrine Falcon restoration is the largest and most comprehensive endeavor to restore wild populations of an endangered species ever accomplished. The magnitude of the program and level of cooperation achieved are unique in nature conservation. Why and how this effort was achieved is documented in this book and serves as an example of what can be accomplished when people are willing to work cooperatively.

Authored by 69 people with long-term involvement, and most of the individuals key to the success, the story is presented chronologically, topically, and geographically. Tom Cade begins with a prologue on the life history traits of the Peregrine Falcon in relation to recovery as only someone with over fifty years of experience can write. In the following 21 chapters and 57 sidebars the story unfolds in each author's own words.

This handsome, large format book features 495 images, many with historical significance. Master artists have contributed their depictions of Peregrines, including the dust jacket painting Peregrine Falcon and White-throated Swifts by famed North American wildlife artist Robert Bateman.

Although the focus is in North America, including Greenland, the story extends to Europe with two renowned British scientists contributing chapters. Derek Ratcliffe tells his story of discovering DDT as the cause for Peregrine Falcon decline, followed later in the book by Ian Newton documenting the contribution of the restoration program to the understanding of the Peregrine and summarizing what is known about the species.

The book is intended for a non-scientific audience but does contain previously unpublished information, tables, and graphs plus an extensive literature cited section and a bibliography for Eastern and Midwestern Peregrine restoration publications from 1971-2000.