Groundbreakers The Return of Britain's Wild Boar

– Shortlisted for the 2024 James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation

"If ever an animal deserved a bright, shiny new biography, surely it is this one. [...] Groundbreakers approaches its subject from every angle. [...] While always readable, there is depth and nuance to the story. [...] We get a sense of the author’s views throughout, but they come to the fore at the end of the book. By now, we know that she has considered the story from all sides. Her conclusions are balanced and, for me anyway, wholly persuasive. [...] Chantal Lyons has done her bit. She has come to know the Wild Boar as well as anyone. And she has written a fine book that will influence the ongoing debate for many years to come."
– Ian Carter, British Wildlife 35(6), May 2024

"Groundbreakers is rich with scientific and social understanding, sharp evocations of natural places and a great deal of self-knowledge. In its focus, depth, clarity and range of enquiry, it is one of the most notable works of recent nature writing."
– Helen Macdonald, New Statesman

"Magnificent. An elegant, enlivening and profoundly on-point portrait of a forgotten icon, and our struggle to reconcile ourselves to its return. Read cover to cover with absolute relish. For a species monograph it does something really special – never once wallowing (ha), losing pace – just full of joy, pathos, warmth, integrity and intrigue."
– Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow

"A thrilling expedition into a wild, unruly world. Written with great passion and insight, Groundbreakers examines the joys and challenges that come with living alongside resurgent Wild Boar. Giving us a window into the lives of these hairy forces of nature, Lyons challenges us to consider our place on the planet, and how we might relearn the forgotten skill of peaceful coexistence. A timely and vital addition to the conservation writing canon."
– Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell

"I've had the privilege of reading this book in advance, and I can tell you it's a gem."
– Eoghan Daltun

"The wild boar is lucky to have Lyons."
– Adam Weymouth, The Sunday Times

"Groundbreakers is a real page-turner, as Chantal Lyons delves back in time and forward into the future to tell the fascinating story of Britain's only truly big, fierce mammal: the wild boar."
– Stephen Moss, author of Ten Birds That Changed the World

"In this gently thought-provoking and beautifully written book, Lyons gives us an intimate insight into the lives of our wild boar and those that live alongside them. Groundbreakers is a charming and impressively balanced account that's as important for our society as rootings are to the forest floor"
– Leif Bersweden, author of Where the Wildflowers Grow

"Deeply researched and beautifully written."
– Michael Odell, The Times

"A well-researched, important, and intimate study of the frequently misunderstood wild boar. With a burgeoning human population, Lyons does not shy away from the issues of their increasing spread into our midst, writing with balance and humour, as well as concern for the future welfare of this fascinating keystone species. An informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking read that helps us understand the benefits of having large predators back in the UK."
– Polly Pullar, author of The Horizontal Oak

"A fine book about a very interesting species [...] This boarish book is neither borish nor boring."
– Mark Avery, author of Reflections

"Meticulously researched, carefully judged and passionately argued, in Groundbreakers Chantal Lyons unleashes a sounder of captivating prose. An unflinching book on both the challenges and triumphs of rewilding and a fascinating exploration of Britain's forests and their wildest inhabitants."
– Joe Shute, journalist and author of Forecast

"A fascinating, joyful study of one of the less glamorous cover stars of the rewilding movement. In this balanced and thoughtful book, we are invited to be bolder and braver in our relationship to the natural world, and not to fear change in a changing world – especially with an animal that has, until just a few centuries ago, helped engineer our collective landscape."
– Tiffany Francis-Baker, author of The Bridleway

"A marvellous book . It is both timely and profound."
– Sophie Yeo, Inkcap Journal

"A delightful, page-turning, exploration of nature's resilience, that asks all the right questions about the future of natural history on these isles."
– Jules Howard, zoologist and author of Wonderdog

"Conversations about whether we should or should not have wild boar in Britain are redundant now. They're already here, and this rich and readable book goes a long way towards helping us understand our new neighbours."
– Patrick Laurie, author of Native

"If you, like me, were unaware that "repigging" might just be the key to reviving Europe's biodiversity, then prepare to have your eyes opened by this warm and intrepid book. Groundbreakers is a charming, compulsively readable tribute to an unlikely keystone species."
– Ben Goldfarb, author of Crossings and Eager

"The whole hog [...] Groundbreakers is rich in evocative accounts of Lyons' own solitary, wonder-charged encounters with the elusive animals"
– Rachel Aspden, The Guardian

"Groundbreakers is an inspiring book on many levels. Not only did it have me rooting for the wild boar, whose return to our depleted countryside is clearly an ecological necessity; it also made me think long and hard about our relationship with the natural world and why we all need more wildness in our lives. Beautifully written, combining the authority of a serious naturalist with the poetry, humour and curiosity of a seriously gifted writer. I loved it."
– Mike Unwin

"This captivating book will become increasingly relevant . Lyons writes beautifully, her research has been exhaustive and she employs commendable balance on an emotive subject. This is sure to become a classic of nature writing. Highly recommended."
– Richard Bath, Scottish Field

"I really enjoyed this book and if you, like me, want to learn more about this species, this is for you."
– Bird Watching

"If you think that the rural environment holds no more surprises, think again. Even better, read the amazing Groundbreakers."
– Simon Ings, New Scientist