True to the Line: A Hunting Life

True to the Line is Adrian Dangar’s recollections of his life at the sharp end of hunting, during which he was Master and huntsman of three very different hunts in three unique regions of England – Dartmoor, Leicestershire and North Yorkshire. During this time the author came into close contact with many fascinating characters that live and work in these beautiful landscapes. True to the Line portrays these rural lives alongside hunting, hounds and foxes, together with the challenges, frustrations and rewards of organising modern hunting in an illuminating and anecdotal style. This book not only covers his account as the first amateur huntsman of the Quorn in 80 years, but also his time as a hunting correspondent, hound judge, conservationist and all round countryman.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Foreword 1: Earliest days 2: Yorkshire 3: Stowe 4: Australia, Cirencester and beyond 5: First season on Dartmoor 6: More tales from the Spooners 7: A return to the North 8: Hunting and shooting at the Sinnington 9: Hounds, hunt staff and some great hunting runs 10: Hunting and conservation at the Sinnington 11: Summers at the Sinnington 12: Quorn – joint masters, hunt staff and hounds 13: First impressions at the Quorn 14: First season in Leicestershire 15: Leicestershire summer highs and lows 16: Second season up to Christmas 17: Millennium and beyond 18: Resignation 19: Hound shows and puppy shows 20: A hunting competition at Birdsall 21: New life and hunting correspondent during the pre-ban years 22: Post-ban years 23: Hunting abroad 24: A return to the horn 25: Sinnington second time around 26: The future Index

About the Author :
Adrian Dangar has travelled extensively throughout Africa, South America and Asia on numerous writing and travel assignments, and is a regular contributor to Country Life, The Field Magazine and Horse & Hound. His first book, True to the Line (9781846892448), was published by Quiller in 2017. Adrian lives in rural North Yorkshire with his wife and family and enjoys fieldsports, travelling and the countryside.

Review :
This book, written with style and intelligence, is as fascinating for its description of country people and places as it is for stories of horses, hounds and the chase. This title is written in an illuminative and engaging style, reflecting on the author's life-long hunting experiences and the unique characters he has met along the way, whilst openly offering his opinions on contentious and controversial topics. I found this autobiography of a Master of Foxhounds fascinating stuff. As a hunting correspondent and only the second amateur huntsman to become MFH to the Quorn, Adrian has led a life packed with incident and has ridden to hounds not only in the UK but all over the world. Of course the hunting ban is mentioned and discussed, as something that had a huge potential impact on a lifestyle, but the overall feeling I got is that of a countryman in tune with hounds, horse... and wildlife. There's no false sentimentality here, and very little politics, and I found it a thought-provoking read. A very worthwhile read and an ideal Christmas present for those who continue to be dedicated to hunting and all that goes with it. This carefree account of a life with the Spooners and West Dartmoor, the Sinnington in North Yorkshire (a stint with the Quorn ended bitterly) and the travels of a hunting correspondent should delight field sportsmen who will enjoy all the name checks of well-known figures, as well as recognising the highs, lows, humour, politics and humiliations that come with being an MFH. The ONLY THING BETTER than going foxhunting is reading about it in a book whose author knows and understands the sport. In huntsman and writer Adrian Dangar, we have the perfect pilot, and the sketches by Daniel Crane, today's answer to Alfred Munnings, add enormously to the memoir's charm. Will be devoured with relish by anyone who has the remotest connection to hunting. Dangar's knowledge of the hunting world is demonstrated within the text, where all life is thrown together from the eccentric and flamboyant to the ancient doyens of the sport... Dangar writes in a chatty, easy-to-read style that makes the book perfect for dipping into on long dreary winter afternoons. The book contains beautiful illustrations as well as some stunning hunting photographs... Perfect book and one that will hopefully find its way into many Christmas stockings this year. A highly entertaining read based on his memoirs as a huntsman and countryman – a life spent breathing and dreaming of foxes, hounds, wildlife and the countryside... Beneath the entertaining stories and poignant scenes, which he evokes so clearly you could be riding to the chase alongside him, lies a stark reminder of the huge change which has occurred in such a short period of time. A nice memoir..., this is his account of early riding life and a life subsequently spent in the UK countryside and the wild open spaces in places such as Arizona and Trinidad. This eagerly anticipated memoir is based on the author's four separate Masterships... written in an engaging and illuminating style, the author writes beautifully whilst not shying away from contentious issues and controversial characters. Over 26 chapters, each introduced by a charming Daniel Crane line drawing, Dangar relives his remarkable hunting career. It takes erudition to transfer the intangible nature of a hunting day onto the page but this Field contributor manages it with aplomb. For those who have ridden to hounds, this book will be a joy to read. It is a paen hounds and venery and one that should grace every foxunter's library. Written in an engaging and illuminating style, the author writes beautifully while not shying away from contentious issues and controversial characters.