The Life of a Fox, Written by Himself

audiobook

The Life of a Fox, Written by Himself

by Thomas Smith

EN·~2 hours·18 chapters

Chapters

18 total

Transcriber’s Note:

0:10

THE LIFE OF A FOX

0:25

INTRODUCTION

12:45

To the Right Hon. CHARLES, EARL OF HARDWICKE, etc. etc. etc.

4:08

CONTENTS

0:24

ILLUSTRATIONS

1:04

THE LIFE OF A FOX

2:12

WILY’S STORY

59:36

COCK-TAIL’S STORY

4:31

CRAVEN’S STORY

6:21

Description

In this unusual memoir, the fox itself steps forward to tell the story of its encounters with hunters and hounds on the English countryside. Drawing on the seasoned observations of a veteran master of the hunt, the narrative blends vivid field details with the animal’s own wry commentary on the chase. Listeners are treated to a rare glimpse of the wilderness through the eyes of the quarry, complete with the sounds of rustling leaves, sudden bursts of speed, and the tension of a pursuit.

The work balances historical insight into early‑twentieth‑century fox‑hunting techniques with a playful, almost conversational tone as each fox reflects on the tactics that let it slip away or led to its capture. Along the way, the narrator points out the hunters’ missteps, the clever use of terriers and spades, and the shifting landscape that makes each run a distinct challenge. Whether you’re a lover of rural tradition or simply curious about a creature’s point of view, the story offers an engaging, thought‑provoking portrait of survival and sport.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (162K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

Jan 26, 2019

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Thomas Smith

Thomas Smith

1790–1878

Best known for vivid sporting books that grew out of a life in the hunting field, this 19th-century writer brought foxhunting to the page with unusual energy and detail. His most famous works mix firsthand experience, sharp observation, and a strong feel for the countryside.

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