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

Author: Jim Robbins

Narrator: Danny Campbell

Unabridged: 11 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/27/2017

Categories: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals


Synopsis

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.

The Wonder of Birds 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 the quietly powerful presence of eagles in the disadvantaged neighborhood of Anacostia 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.

About Jim Robbins

Jim Robbins has written for the New York Times for more than thirty-five years. He has also written for numerous magazines, including Audubon, Conde Nast Traveler, Smithsonian Scientific American, Vanity Fair, the Sunday Times, and Conservation.

He has covered environmental and science stories across the United States and around the globe.

Robbins is the author of The Man Who Planted Trees: A Story of Lost Groves, the Science of Trees, and a Plan to Save the Planet; Last Refuge: The Environmental Showdown in the American West; and A Symphony in the Brain: The Evolution of the New Brain Wave Biofeedback. He is also the co-author of The Open-Focus Brain and Dissolving Pain. He lives in Helena, Montana.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lucy on May 25, 2017

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. The wonderful world of birds - in an easy-to-read, accessible format. Birds are fascinating creatures. Direct descendants of dinosaurs, they're capable of not only flight but a myriad of other impressive things - yet we......more

Goodreads review by Jim on April 07, 2020

This is softer than I expected, but there was a lot of good information in the book. It would have been better if I could have trusted it more. He glossed over some complex issues & cherry-picked the data to make his point. I didn't appreciate the mix of New Age bullshit that he sprinkled throughout......more

Goodreads review by Patricia on September 28, 2018

I’ve always enjoyed watching birds at my feeders and while out hiking but I’ve never considered myself a proper birder. I may up my game after reading this book and learning more about them! The author does a great job of explaining the scientific research about birds as well as their impact on cult......more

Goodreads review by Jacquelin on August 19, 2017

Absolutely fascinating. I kept having to set bookmarks so that I could read passages to my husband. I have a new appreciation for my feathered friends. Highly recommended.......more

Goodreads review by Peter on May 16, 2022

Many interesting aspects and mysteries of birds are presented, more than interesting in fact. Wonderful then. For a serious (or even not-so-serious) 'birder' I suppose a lot would already be known but at my level a lot of the stuff was downright fascinating. I guess my main criticism is how often he......more