I hope you enjoy this free preview of the book

Gifts of an Eagle

by Kent Durden

The preview starts with chapter two. You can find out more about the book and the film (copies of both available), including news about an electronic version of the book (currently in the works) at www.giftsofaneagle.com

Contents

Lady Comes to Live With Us 7Early Training 13Adolescent Years 23A Relationship Grows 35Filling the Larder 45Eagle Sense 61Motherhood 73A New Home 91Bit Parts 103A Feature Role 125Mature Years 141A Courtship in the Air 151Epilogue 157

Forward In 1971, Kent Durden sat down and began to write a book about the relationship he had witnessed over the last sixteen years between his father, Ed, and the golden eagle they had raised, studied and filmed. He’d never planned to write a book but was overcome by the remarkable story of “Lady”—a wild, fierce bird of prey, who had been such a defining member of their family. Once the book was done, Kent sent it off to publishers. At Simon and Schuster, an editor picked it out from a pile of rejected manuscripts and was immediately enthralled. Gifts of an Eagle was published in 1972 and spent eight weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list. Kent followed that up with two other books, Flight to Freedom and A Fine and Peaceful Kingdom. He also created the film Gifts of an Eagle, using footage of Lady that he and his father had collected over a decade and a half. The film debuted in theaters, but later was recreated into a film that Kent showed for The Audubon Society lecture circuit for several seasons. This film is now available on DVD. You can find it, and additional information about Lady, at www.giftsofaneagle.com I am very pleased to be able to make this book available in electronic form. I know you’ll enjoy meeting Lady and spending some time with her. We all did. I was only about seven when my dad sat down to write Gifts of an Eagle, but I remember Lady very well. Unfortunately, Ed and Kent are no longer with us, but the story my father tells is eternal. I hope this edition helps introduce it to new generations. Kristine Durden November 2011

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