Rating: 
Summary: An unexpected brilliant light
Review: "[A]n association with wild things has a way of shining an unexpected brilliant light into the darkest crevices of our lives." So writes Dan O'Brien in this beautiful true story of the symbiotic triangle of falcon, dog, and human.In O'Brien's clear pungent voice are echoes of Peter Matthiessen and, fainter, Walt Whitman. Under his starry South Dakota sky, we feel our connection with everything natural and free. This is a love song to the earth, and a paean to how slowly our attachments grow and how fragile they can be. O'Brien takes us into the world of falconry. We see falcons stoop (dive) for their prey at incredible speeds. We feel what it is like to be a falcon, as well as a grouse or a duck seeking escape. He also takes us into the truth of his own life, as he faces midlife and the very human sense of challenges not yet met. This book's smells, sights, and adventures are thrilling. I love and treasure them.
Rating:
Summary: An unexpected brilliant light
Review: "[A]n association with wild things has a way of shining an unexpected brilliant light into the darkest crevices of our lives." So writes Dan O'Brien in this beautiful true story of the symbiotic triangle of falcon, dog, and human. In O'Brien's clear pungent voice are echoes of Peter Matthiessen and, fainter, Walt Whitman. Under his starry South Dakota sky, we feel our connection with everything natural and free. This is a love song to the earth, and a paean to how slowly our attachments grow and how fragile they can be. O'Brien takes us into the world of falconry. We see falcons stoop (dive) for their prey at incredible speeds. We feel what it is like to be a falcon, as well as a grouse or a duck seeking escape. He also takes us into the truth of his own life, as he faces midlife and the very human sense of challenges not yet met. This book's smells, sights, and adventures are thrilling. I love and treasure them.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but too self-indulgent...
Review: Having begun working with birds of prey (in a rehabilitation center) in the last couple of years I have searched for books that gave more personal insights into the practice of falconry. Mr.O'Brien certainly knows his subject and does a fine job of describing the sport and the birds themselves. His accounts of hacking (early training) young peregrines in particular are excellent. I found his descriptions of what can go wrong, as well as right, in the caring and training of these birds quite illuminating and engrossing. His use of falconers-speak is well balanced with the story and the annotations quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the sport.
I unfortunately found the overall concept of a man in midlife attempting to convince the reader that he is on a quest for some sort of middle age epiphany a bit trying. His relationship with his wife - an anesthesiologist who spends the majority of her time in a sleep deprived state, taking hospital call, and generally supporting his rather indulgent and self-centered lifestyle- frustrated me and was distracting from an otherwise interesting story about the training of a gifted young peregrine falcon.
I give much credit to Mr. O'Brien for being a man in touch with nature and clearly environmentally sensitive and conservation oriented. But, as my wife said after finishing the book, he comes across as something of a jerk in his personal life. Given that Mr. O'Brien's skills in describing the beauty of the land he lives on and the animals he has the great privilege of interacting with are most enviable, it's a shame that this aspect diminishes an otherwise excellent story.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but too self-indulgent...
Review: Having begun working with birds of prey (in a rehabilitation center) in the last couple of years I have searched for books that gave more personal insights into the practice of falconry. Mr.O'Brien certainly knows his subject and does a fine job of describing the sport and the birds themselves. His accounts of hacking (early training) young peregrines in particular are excellent. I found his descriptions of what can go wrong as well as right in the caring and training of these birds quite illuminating and engrossing. His use of falconers-speak is well balanced with the story and the annotations quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the sport.
I unfortunately found the overall concept of a man in midlife attempting to convince the reader that he is on a quest for some sort of middle age epiphany a bit trying. His relationship with his wife - an anesthesiologist who spends the majority of her time in a sleep deprived state, taking hospital call, and generally supporting his rather indulgent and self-centered lifestyle- frustrated me and was distracting from an otherwise interesting story about the training of a gifted young peregrine falcon.
I give much credit to Mr. O'Brien for being a man in touch with nature and clearly environmentally sensitive and conservation oriented but, as my wife said after finishing the book, he comes across as something of a jerk in his personal life. Given that Mr. O'Brien's skills in describing the beauty of the land he lives on and the animals he has the great privilege of interacting with are most enviable, it's a shame that this aspect diminishes an otherwis excellent story.
Rating:
Summary: Vicarious falconry at its' best!
Review: I have had an interest in falconry and raptors in general since adolescence but have never been able to make the total commitment neccesary to care for one. Reading about it and hunting with friends who fly birds of prey has been my best outlet to enjoy this truly remarkable partnership between man and bird. Every facet of the author's story, from his relationship to the land, to the dogs, to the birds,to the prey, to his friends, reminded me of the things I hold dear in my life and that make my time spent here very full.
A great read!
Rating:
Summary: It brings you back in touch with what is real and important.
Review: I just finished reading "Equinox" and I was inspired by Mr. O'Brien's words on birds of prey, the unique beauty of his home, and the importance of staying in touch with the real and genuine aspects of life. He beautifully captures the essence of the noble practice of falconry and, in the process, passes along a few important lessons about life in general. His skills as a falconer and observer of nature (both human and animal) appear to be surpassed only by his ability to gracefully convey the haunting imagery of the high plains. Thank you Mr. O'Brien. I enjoyed this book immensely and I look forward to your future works.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I just finished reading the book in two settings, spending most of a Sunday afternoon and Monday evening enjoying this excellent novel. I was captivated by the people, dogs, birds, and environment. This is a must read. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I just finished reading the book in two settings, spending most of a Sunday afternoon and Monday evening enjoying this excellent novel. I was captivated by the people, dogs, birds, and environment. This is a must read. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: For The Birds
Review: I liked this book. At times, there may have been too much emphasis on the dogs, or too much on just falcons (red-tailed hawk coverage would have been great, but the author caters to peregrine falcons, so it is obviously his choice). Regardless, the amount of detailed coverage is impressive and written very well. Fortunately, the author eases you into the detail and doesn't toss it in your lap like some books. Whenever a new falconry term is mentioned in the text, there is a small side-bar definition of that term. Some have said that the author's attitude gets in the way. When I read the few pages from the website, I also got a little of that. However, when I read the rest of the book, I did not get that at all. Often, appearances can be deceiving.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story
Review: I was surprised at how good this book was. I expected it to be a primer for my interest in falconry but found it to be so much more. It is a fantastic account of the training of a raptor and the relationship between man and bird. Obviously passionate about his undertaking the author describes the training process in vivid detail making a compelling story to the end. With an equally interesting personal story that parallels his bird of prey adventure this book makes for a very enjoyable read.
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