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Published today! Undiscovered Corbett by Ian Douglas. Reviewed on the Country Life Magazine book pages by Jamie Blackett. 'Undiscovered Corbett does sterling work in drawing attention to a great man.'

Available via Merlin Unwin Books or local bookshops. 

There are around seven fish in English freshwaters currently classed as IUCN “threatened” — a global Red List classification. Of these, most people will only have heard of the Atlantic salmon and the European eel. Both are elusive, slippery, seldom seen. And so, as a nation of self-declared animal lovers, we gravitate instead toward the visible — the easily monetised: the colourful, the charismatic, the fluffy, the beautiful.

Which raises the question: how do we inspire people to care about the future of the wild Atlantic salmon? Without that support, these fish could vanish from England’s chalk streams within the next five years. Below, John Miller highlights three key forces driving their decline - each of which will continue to accelerate this decline without greater public awareness and engagement.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Cowan, a lifelong gamekeeper and cherished author of ours who we worked with over many years.

Born in the Scottish Borders, John dedicated more than 40 years to gamekeeping, rising to become headkeeper on a major Scottish estate. His knowledge was forged through a lifetime spent in the field - learning his craft from seasoned keepers, managing wildlife, and working closely with generations of dogs. 

Through his writing, John shared not only practical wisdom but also a profound respect for the countryside and its traditions.

His book Advice from a Gamekeeper remains a cornerstone of modern gamekeeping literature - full of insight and hard-earned advice from a life devoted to the land. It offers readers a vivid window into the challenges and rewards of running a sporting estate. 

In The Gamekeeper’s Dog, John turned his attention to working dogs, blending expertise with engaging personal stories. His writing has been praised for going beyond instruction, bringing warmth and personal experience to the subject. 

John’s books will continue to educate and inspire those who care deeply about the countryside and its traditions.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

— The Team at Merlin Unwin Books