The Wonder of Birds: What They Tell Us About Ourselves, the

The Wonder of Birds: What They Tell Us About Ourselves, the World, and a Better Future

A fascinating investigation into the miraculous world of birds and the powerfulâ€”and surprisingâ€”ways they enrich our lives and sustain the planet

Our relationship to birds is different from our relationship to any other wild creatures. They are found virtually everywhere and we love to watch them, listen to them, keep them as pets, wear their feathers, even converse with them. Birds, Jim Robbins posits, are our most vital connection to nature. They compel us to look to the skies, both literally and metaphorically; draw us out into nature to seek their beauty; and let us experience vicariously what it is like to be weightless. Birds have helped us in so many of our human endeavors: learning to fly, providing clothing and food, and helping us better understand the human brain and body. And they even have much to teach us about being human in the natural world.

This book illuminates qualities unique to birds that demonstrate just how invaluable they are to humankindâ€”both ecologically and spiritually. The wings of turkey buzzards influenced the Wright brothersâ€™ flight design; the chickadeeâ€™s song is considered by scientists to be the most sophisticated language in the animal world and a â€œwindow into the evolution of our own language and our societyâ€; and the quietly powerful presence of eagles in the disadvantaged neighborhood of Anacostia, in Washington, D.C., proved to be an effective method for rehabilitating the troubled young people placed in charge of their care.

Exploring both cutting-edge scientific research and our oldest cultural beliefs, Robbins moves these astonishing creatures from the background of our lives to the foreground, from the quotidian to the miraculous, showing us that we must fight to save imperiled bird populations and the places they live, for the sake of both the planet and humankind.

Praise for The Wonder of Birds

â€œA must-read, conveying much necessary information in easily accessible form and awakening oneâ€™s consciousness to what might otherwise be taken for granted . . . The Wonder of Birds reads like the story of a kid let loose in a candy store and given free rein to sample. That is one of its strengths: the convertâ€™s view gives wide appeal to those who might never have known birds well.â€â€”Bernd Heinrich, The Wall Street Journal

â€œEngaging, thoughtful . . . worthy of a place alongside David Attenboroughâ€™s documentary The Life of Birds or Graeme Gibsonâ€™s The Bedside Book of BirdsÂ . . . This offering will appeal to naturalists, anthropologists, linguists, and even philosophers as well as to lay readers.â€â€”Library Journal

â€œIn this deeply felt and well-supported argument for aviansâ€™ value to humankind, science writer Robbins hits the full trifecta for engrossing and satisfying nature writing.â€â€”Publishers Weekly (starred review)

â€œUsing enchanting stories and rich historical references, Jim Robbins explores the role of birds on the evolution of human self-awareness.â€â€”Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

â€œItâ€™s one for the birdsâ€”what a wonderful book! It will give you wings.â€â€”Rita Mae Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Rubyfruit Jungle

â€œThe Wonder of Birds provides a great and well-timed gift: a portrait of the quiet miracles around us on each day of our ordinary lives.â€â€”Michael Punke, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Revenant

â€œJim Robbins writes masterfully, with lucid prose and deep insight into the human psyche and natural world.â€â€”Peter Stark, author of Astoria
Country USA
Brand Spiegel & Grau
Manufacturer Spiegel & Grau
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber 9780812993530
ReleaseDate 2017-05-30
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780812993530

Country	USA
Brand	Spiegel & Grau
Manufacturer	Spiegel & Grau
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	9780812993530
ReleaseDate	2017-05-30
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780812993530

The Wonder of Birds: What They Tell Us About Ourselves, the World, and a Better Future