The Tower of London’s Ravenmaster Wrote a Book and Neil Gaiman Approves

For those who don’t know (hello, overseas fans), The Tower of London has been home to a group of famous ravens for centuries and the millions of visitors who visit the Tower each year see them.

The ravens have become as integral part of the tower as the ancient stones themselves but why are they there? Well, legend has it (this is Britain, remember) that if the ravens should ever leave, the Tower of London will crumble to dust and great harm will befall the kingdom.

That means that looking after the ravens is an important job, a job that falls to the Ravenmaster. The current holder of this position is Yeoman Warder Christopher Skaife and now he’s written a fascinating, entertaining and touching book about the ravens, their formidable intelligence, their idiosyncrasies and their wicked sense of humour.

Personally I’m sold on the book based on that description alone, but if you needed any more encouragement, Neil Gaiman currently has himself a copy and here’s what he says:

“What a terrific book. (I wish it had been around when I was writing Sandman.) I learned so much about Ravens, and even things I didn’t know about the Tower. It’s like spending a long evening with a bottle of whisky as a wise Ravenmaster tells you everything you need to know.”

The Ravenmaster is out this week in the US and UK and you can order your copy now!