Hope Is the Thing with Feathers : A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds

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Summary: important book on modern extinction
Review: Haunting story of several species of North American birds driven to extinction by slaughter, and the frenzied destruction of habitats. When the naturalists of those times realized that certain species were in danger, they thought the best way to preserve the species was to shoot them, stuff them, and nail 'em to a board. Maybe we can learn something. Probably not. This is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Important reading
Review: I read this book almost a year ago, and cried my way through it. I don't know which is more upsetting - the blind stupidity of people who pushed these birds into extinction, or the desperate, but failed attempts of others to change that course. As we as a species take and take and take, I hope more and more individuals will give back what they can, by providing safe havens on their property for birds ands other wildlife. We have to realize also, that extinction is possible for humans as well, and it will come sooner than we think if we don't make changes NOW! I don't mean to lecture...read this book, recommend it to others, and have tissues handy!

Rating:
Summary: Important Reading
Review: I read this book almost a year ago, and cried throughout. I don't know what is more upsetting - the blind stupidity of the people who pushed these birds into extinction, or the desperate, but failed attempts of others to prevent it. As we humans take and take and take, we need to make an effort as individuals to give back, by providing what we can in the way of safe havens for birds and other wildlife on our own property. We can become extinct as easily as any other species, and it will happen sooner rather than later unless we do something NOW! I don't mean to lecture - read this book, recommend it to others, and have a box of tissues handy!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read...
Review: This book touched me deeply, made me both laugh, made me cry, made me angry...and also made me marvel at the what nature created, that I will never see. Months later, this book still touches me, and I often think of the stories in it. I didn't think a book on this subject could be as engaging, interesting and sad. It took me into the lives of these birds, explained their demise, told me about the last of their species. This really is a story that should be required reading for everyone...something that shows us that our actions have costs, shows us how greed and selfishness can really hurt the world around us, permanently...

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read...
Review: This book touched me deeply, made me both laugh, made me cry, made me angry...and also made me marvel at the what nature created, that I will never see. Months later, this book still touches me, and I often think of the stories in it. I didn't think a book on this subject could be as engaging, interesting and sad. It took me into the lives of these birds, explained their demise, told me about the last of their species. This really is a story that should be required reading for everyone...something that shows us that our actions have costs, shows us how greed and selfishness can really hurt the world around us, permanently...

Rating:
Summary: Historical text
Review: This is a fantastic book for those who love birds and are interested in the history of birds in North America. Mr. Cokinos has combined a real passion for birds with a meticuluously researched history of these vanished jewels. He writes with passion and conviction and leads the reader to feel the loss of these species. I now look at Mourning Doves and Pileated Woodpeckers and imagine I could see the Passenger Pigeon and Ivory Billed Woodpecker. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Historical text
Review: This is a fantastic book for those who love birds and are interested in the history of birds in North America. Mr. Cokinos has combined a real passion for birds with a meticuluously researched history of these vanished jewels. He writes with passion and conviction and leads the reader to feel the loss of these species. I now look at Mourning Doves and Pileated Woodpeckers and imagine I could see the Passenger Pigeon and Ivory Billed Woodpecker. A must read.

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Summary: A hidden gem - - beautiful poetic writing
Review: This is a great book.

It's a sad one in realizing the destruction of various bird species. The chronicles of various species during the late 19th/early 20th century are astonishing to read. It was incredible to read and learn of biologists determined to collect species before they vanished - rather than attempt to preserve them.

Particularly entertaining (in an ironic and sick sort of way) was the tale of the last man to shoot the last Passenger Pigeon. The author did an incredible amount of research and weaves a delightful short story worthy of the purchase of this book in itself.

The writing is simple yet incredibly deep; it brings home an important and moving message that can be understood by a variety of audiences - even those who may not be particularly interested in nature, birds or environmental causes. Poetic and beautifully wrapped up. The only troubling portion of the book is the outcome of the fate of these species - obviously not the fault of the author, who provides a hope of preserving "what we still have" - it is moving, nonetheless ...

A wonderful book!!!

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating, personal chronicle of vanished birds.
Review: This personal chronicle of vanished birds presents a ten-year odyssey by the author, who travels across the country in search of once-abundant wildlife areas. The last days of six vanished species is recounted, American history and ecology reviewed, and chapters detail human involvements in bird history.

Rating:
Summary: A captivating historical journey
Review: This was an incredible book! I loved how Cokinos included the history of the country, the indivduals who took part in the birds demise - whether knowingly or not, and the personal history of those who struggled to save the birds. The author conveys his excitement and wonder as he retraces the history of these birds and the individuals who last saw them. We can learn a lot from past mistakes and not let demise of these species be in vain. This was one of the best books I've EVER read! As I finished it with tears in my eyes, I turned to the first page to begin the journey again!!