THE SPORTSMAN: "I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BORN UNDER A HEDGE." By Philip Fussell with Rupert Godfrey.

2015 1st edition. Large 8vo (172 x 246mm). Pp144. Colour and b/w photographs, photograph end-papers. Dark violet boards, spine titled in silver-gilt. Foreword by George Digweed MBE.

"Phillip Fussell is a West Country sporting legend. ...He has spent most of his life shooting, and is widley regarded as one of the finest game shots of all time. He has tremendous knowledge of the countryside, gleaned from years of observation - mostly from a pigeon hide. While the woodpigeon remains his first, he recounts the great days of grey partridge shooting, the development of high pheasant shoots and youthful poaching exploits after rabbits and pheasants. He has won clay pigeon world championships ...He played first class cricket twice for Somerset, but his father wouldn't let him turn professional. Fishing soon became a summer passion too, and his concentration is legendary when the salmon are running running. The Sportsman tells his remarkable life story, ...anecdotes about many well-known names in the shooting world and, most of all, of his enduring love for the countryside." Chapters include: I've been so lucky; The Fussell family; The sporting; What better bird is there to shoot than the woodpigeon?; My mentors; Early gameshooting; The lure of the willow; Jane and The Sportsman; Shawford Shoot; Clay pigeon; Hooked on salmon; It's no just about pulling the trigger; Churchy; Rydon; George Digweed MBE; The quarry; The tools of the trade - and how to use them; From Beaut to Crumpet; Today.