Our review of : When There Were Birds

Written by : Roy Adkins

Release date : 03-24-22

Retail price : $21.81

Category:

When There Were Birds tells the story of a time when birds filled the skies. From their aerial perspective, we witness natural wonders and human endeavor as never before. Author Roy Adkins uses his encyclopedic knowledge of ornithology to bring these creatures vividly to life, conjuring up an immersive world in which we discover how intimately people have been tied to avian life throughout history. From prehistory through the present day, this book explores humankind’s changing relationship with our feathered friends-highlighting both positive impacts (such as bird therapy for mental health patients) and negative ones (like egg collecting or pigeon racing). Along the way it introduces colorful characters such as Thomas Jefferson, who designed his Monticello home around trees that would provide food for nesting orioles; “Dodo” Boy Eric Goode, who gained international fame from his work rehabilitating New York City’s injured sparrows; and falconer extraordinaire Charlie Levine, who has trained more than two thousand hawks over four decades. Richly illustrated with photographs and artwork depicting everything from passenger pigeons by John James Audubon to hummingbirds at a feeder outside someone’s window today, When There Were Birds provides an unparalleled view of the world from up in the air.

For who is this book for ?

This book is for people who love ornithology and want to know more about the history of birds.

Pros :

  • The author’s encyclopedic knowledge of ornithology brings these creatures vividly to life.
  • The book explores humankind’s changing relationship with our feathered friends and highlights both positive and negative impacts.
  • Richly illustrated with photographs and artwork, the book provides an unparalleled view of the world from up in the air.

Cons :

  • The dense information throughout the pages can be a little overwhelming
  • The author’s infatuation with birds may make some readers feel like they’re being preached to
  • Some of the more negative aspects of humanity’s interactions with avian life are not given as much attention as they could be

Learn more about the author

Roy Adkins is a natural history writer and freelance editor. He has written more than twenty books, including Slimy Monsters of the Deep: The World’s Creepiest Creatures; Invasion of the Killer Jellyfish!; Hunting Dinosaurs; and Sea Predators of the Prehistoric Atlantic. A former features editor at BBC Wildlife magazine, he now lives in Brighton, England.

Reader Reviews

“This book is a must-read for anyone interested in birds or history. It weaves the two together beautifully and provides insights into human behavior that I never would have thought of.”

“Anyone interested in ornithology, natural history or just the beauty of birds will find much to enjoy in this book.”

“Adkins has written a lyrical, expertly crafted ode to the beauty and significance of birds in human history. This engaging work will appeal to birders and general readers alike.”

“Birds have always been an important part of our lives and this book does a great job of highlighting that. I really enjoyed reading about how people have used birds for various reasons over the years.”

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