num_pages: 352
description: A fascinating investigation into the miraculous world of birds and the powerful--and surprising--ways they enrich our lives and sustain the planetOur 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 BirdsA 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 JournalEngaging 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 JournalIn 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 JungleThe 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 RevenantJim Robbins writes masterfully with lucid prose and deep insight into the human psyche and natural world.--Peter Stark author of Astoria
language: English
title: The Wonder of Birds: What They Tell Us About Ourselves, the World, and a Better Future
publisher: Spiegel & Grau