David Axtell's book on birdwatching
Childhood memories published by Exeter Graduate
An Exeter alumnus has written a book about his childhood in the West Country and another conveying his passion for birdwatching.
David Axtell (English, 1968) spent his childhood in or near Holsworthy in West Devon, before studying for his degree at Exeter. While at Exeter he received encouragement from the poets Ted Hughes, Ronald Duncan and Ken Smith, as well as the Rev Professor W. Moelwyn Merchant and other members of the English Department.
After graduating David moved to London to begin a career as a journalist, mostly at Reuters.
David always planned to move back to the West Country region and his dream was realised after his retirement. At this stage he put pen to paper and created “West of Windmill Hill.” This tells of his upbringing in the late 1940s and early 1950s in an area which remains one of the quietest and most rural parts of Devon.
His book allowed him to capture some of the characters who lived in the area at the time and consider how it had changed and developed since the 1800s.
A lifelong passionate birdwatcher, David has also written “Birds for All Seasons,” which combines poetry with a love for our feathered friends. It is designed to help people appreciate birds easily, be they watching from their kitchen window, or within a hide.
David’s books can be purchased at bookshops and at major on-line retailers.
Date: 10 September 2011
