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mvancamp's review
4.0
A great and quick history of birding with an impassioned call to all of us who love birds to do everything we can for conservation. A must read for those even marginally interested in birds and birding or nature of any kind.
sanderc's review
4.0
At times a bit dry, but I enjoyed it very much. Love the very thorough bibliography as well.
eunrose's review
4.0
A good overall history. I might stop a little short of some of the blurbs I read about it, but it does what it sets out to do pretty successfully. The stuff on the founding of Hawk Mountain was especially interesting to me, as that was my first birding hotspot as a kid.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
Very readable survey of the history of American interest in birds--all the big names and interesting personalities are here to "meet". I like the direction the author ended up with at the end--a plea to consider "citizen-science" and conservation along with listing. He was pretty tough on listers in general, especially the sort who just show up long enough to "check off" the bird, and then show no apparent interest in it. This is OK with me as this puzzles me as well. So I wasn't at all offended, since I'd much RATHER band birds and watch the nesting pairs in my neighborhood than compile a monstrous list. (Easy for me to say, since I don't HAVE a monstrous list, lol). Very worthwhile read.
satyridae's review
3.0
I liked this book but it didn't make me into a birder. I really enjoy Weidensaul's writing, and he communicates his passion very well. I adored his other books. This one, however, was too much for me- too much history, too many characters, too much minutiae. Not to fault the book- Weidensaul's an excellent writer, and this is no exception. The fault is entirely mine.
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