A fascinating investigation into the miraculous world of birds and the
powerful--and surprising--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 humankind--both ecologically and spiritually.
The wings of turkey buzzards influenced the Wright brothers' flight
design; the chickadee's song is considered by scientists to be the most
sophisticated language in the animal world and a "window into the
evolution of our own language and our society"; 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
"A must-read, conveying much necessary information in easily accessible
form and awakening one'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 convert's view gives wide appeal to those who might
never have known birds well."--Bernd Heinrich, The Wall Street
Journal
"Engaging, thoughtful . . . worthy of a place alongside David
Attenborough's documentary The Life of Birds or Graeme Gibson's The
Bedside Book of Birds . . . This offering will appeal to naturalists,
anthropologists, linguists, and even philosophers as well as to lay
readers."--Library Journal
"In this deeply felt and well-supported argument for avians' value to
humankind, science writer Robbins hits the full trifecta for engrossing
and satisfying nature writing."--Publishers Weekly (starred
review)
"Using enchanting stories and rich historical references, Jim Robbins
explores the role of birds on the evolution of human
self-awareness."--Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
"It's one for the birds--what a wonderful book! It will give you
wings."--Rita Mae Brown, New York Times bestselling author of
Rubyfruit Jungle
"The 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."--Michael Punke, #1 New York Times bestselling author of
The Revenant
"Jim Robbins writes masterfully, with lucid prose and deep insight into
the human psyche and natural world."--Peter Stark, author of
Astoria
