“Shapeshifter, mischief-maker, trickster, clown…Ravens certainly are multi-talented birds.”

Conceived, art directed and designed by Angus Hyland, The Book of The Raven is a collection of artworks created by some of the world’s leading artists, photographers and illustrators.

Corvids play an outsize role in the human imagination. We keep ravens in towers, emblazon rooks on banners, find crows in the constellations and make sure we salute solitary magpies. We also see our own behaviour mirrored in this diverse family of birds, who are tricksters and thieves as well as problem-solvers and gift-givers.

Written by Caroline Roberts, The Book of the Raven showcases the visual and literary life of the corvid, from Norse legends to Game of Thrones, Shakespeare to Poe, Hughes and beyond. The book also examines some of the more unusual behavioural traits such as gift-giving, puzzle-solving and facial recognition displayed by these intelligent birds. It includes hundreds of beautiful photographs, illustrations and paintings and accompanying texts and poems.

The book has an introduction by Chris Skaife, the current Ravenmaster at the Tower of London, in which he fondly describes his love affair with these intelligent birds. Designed to appeal to anyone who loves art and is fascinated by these black birds, it is the latest in the series, which includes The Book of the Dog, The Book of the Bird, The Book of the Cat and The Book of the Horse.