No Way But Gentlenesse: A Memoir of how Kes, My Kestrel, Changed My Life

Written by Richard Hines

Narrated by Jonathan Keeble

Born and raised in the South Yorkshire mining village of Hoyland Common, it seemed all too likely that Richard Hines would end up working in the pits, especially when, unlike his older brother Barry, he failed the 11+.

Crushed by this, and persecuted by the cruelty of his teachers, Richard spent his time in the fields. One morning, he came across a nest of kestrels. Instantly captivated, he sought out ancient falconry texts from the local library. With just these books and some ingenuity, Richard learned to 'man', or train, his kestrel, Kes, and in the process grow into the man he would become.

Richard and his experiences with kestrels inspired Barry's classic novel A Kestrel for a Knave.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isis Publishing Ltd
• Release date: Oct 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781445060491

Richard Hines

Richard Hines has worked as a building labourer, in an office, and he was Deputy Head in a school but has spent most of his career as a documentary filmmaker, starting his own production company and working for the BBC and Channel 4, before becoming a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. He lives in Sheffield and frequently walks on the nearby moors.