Nature's Flyers: Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight
Scientifically accurate, up-to-date, and highly accessible,Nature's Flyerswill interest not only amateur and professional ornithologists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, physiologists, and engineers, but also anyone who is curious about the effects of flight on the evolution and diversity of the natural world.(Biology Digest)Alexander achieves the difficult feat of explaining intrinsically complex phenomena without using mathematical or entomological jargon. As a result, the book is clear, beautifully written, and suitable for people at all levels... It introduces readers to some long-standing puzzles... How do some insects manage to fly nonstop over hundreds of miles? How do migrating birds find their way?... I recommend the book to anyone who is curious about flight.(Z. Jane WangPhysics Today)Alexander does an excellent job of keeping the amazement and appreciation alive while clearly explaining the complexities of flight in a manner accessible to anyone... a thoroughly enjoyable and informative book.(Choice)This book provides a useful popular-level treatment of animal flight, covering not just biomechanical but also ecological and evolutionary aspects of aerial locomotion... No comparable treatment of flight exists in the literature.(Robert Dudley, University of Texas at Austin)This is a fascinating book and would make a valuable addition to the school library.(Peter AndersonSchool Science Review)