A very cool story about an American man who is working in Saudi Arabia who discovers a village on a canyon cliff while exploring. The villagers completely rely on everything they grow and make in their own valley, with nothing from the outside or the modern world. He brings some of his newfangled contraptions and befriends the head chief of the village and his son, Ali. Ali is a brave young boy, who trains falcons in their villages aviary. Wayne Grover, the author and the young man whom the story actually happened to, with the help of Ali, risks his life to climb down the canyon cliff and capture a baby golden eagle for Ali to train. He returns, and Ali has completely mastered training the bird, called Samson, and the partnership is unbelievable. Ali ends up, with the help of Wayne, competing in the most prestigious bird showing in his country, among royals and the best trainers in the country. He proves that his people are the best and brings modernization to his valley people's village.
This is a great and entertaining story about a people who were completely self-reliant, brave, courageous, and hospitable. I did not find the falcon-and-eagle part as interesting as the culture of Ali's village. Overall, a great and entertaining story.
This is a great and entertaining story about a people who were completely self-reliant, brave, courageous, and hospitable. I did not find the falcon-and-eagle part as interesting as the culture of Ali's village. Overall, a great and entertaining story.
Set in the Arabian Mountains, a young boy is given a baby golden eagle, and it changes his destiny. A wonderful book. Sonlight Curriculum Year 5 book.
