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Summary: An indispensable book for any bird lover
Review: As someone who has had a lifelong fascination with birds, I bought this book more for the photographs than anything else. After all, I knew everything about them already, right? Well, boy, was I put in my place! I learned things about these enigmatic creatures that I never would have imagined. One of the reasons this book is so enjoyable is the fact that Mr. Attenborough makes his own awe at the sheer wonder that birds are readily apparent, rather than speaking from the lofty heights of so many of his contemporaries. It's almost as if he is sharing his journey with the reader, and the two are making these discoveries together. And the hundreds of color photographs are incomparable, almost heartbreaking in their beauty. To make a long story short: if you love birds, then you MUST have this book. Period. Thanks, Mr. Attenborough!
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Summary: Just call him Sir David Attenbird
Review: David Attenborough has surpassed himself with this book. Previously best know for THE LIVING PLANET, here with the LIFE OF BIRDS he shows where his real interests lie - they fly. Written in a clear, easy, straightforward prose, Attenborough takes us around the world, using species from various locations to illustrate the books different themes. In discussing flightlessness we are introduced to some of the strangest birds alive today; one of the best known examples being New Zealand's Kiwi. Matching the Kiwi in flightlessness, and in possessing a sublime name, are the Kakapo, Weka and Takahe. When the book discusses plumage and courtship we are taken to the proper place: New Guinea - to look at birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds. LIFE OF BIRDS is heavily illustrated with full color photographs; at least one per page. The book covers a wide variety of topics such as nesting, parenting, fishing, hunting, and endurance. Attenborough discusses the interesting, and sometimes contentious issues in ornithology, namely: the origins of birds, the evolution of flight, migratory behavior, and bird extinctions. He does this in a very balanced manner, mentioning all the various theories. A good introduction to bird behavior and a perfect gift for a bird lover.
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Summary: AMAZING
Review: David Attenbourough is a genius. He is able to write about birds, and tell all the facts, yet, he somehow maked it into a story. It's extremely enjoyable to read. It was never boring. David Attenbourough made it funny, too. It is by far the best book I've ever read. (And I'm only twelve! It's wonderful for all ages.)
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Summary: add this one to your collection
Review: Davis Attenborough is one of the best in the business and he proves it once again in The Life of Birds. The book is well written and full of superb photographs. The video set is even better.
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Summary: Excellent
Review: Great book by a master. Expertly written and there are facts in there that I can barely wrap my mind around (like the fact that the world's smallest bird, a hummingbird, can flap its wings at 200 times a second!). One thing that struck me as curious, however, is that, in the section entitled "The Demands of the Egg," Sir David explains why all birds lay eggs, saying that having live young gestate within the female would be an impediment to flight. But he doesn't go into why flightless birds to lay eggs. Probably because it's convenient and there hasn't been enough time for evolution for them to evolve away from the habit. Also, flightless birds only have two legs for locomotion and might have a hard time with live young squirming around inside (just a guess). I'm sure any interested reader would be able to come out with their own hypotheses; it's just curious that it's not expounded upon at all. But it's a very minor flaw, if it can be called a flaw at all. I think this book will make a bird lover out of anyone. Also check out the VHS of the BBC series.
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Summary: Excellent
Review: Great book by a master. Expertly written and there are facts in there that I can barely wrap my mind around (like the fact that the world's smallest bird, a hummingbird, can flap its wings at 200 times a second!). One thing that struck me as curious, however, is that, in the section entitled "The Demands of the Egg," Sir David explains why all birds lay eggs, saying that having live young gestate within the female would be an impediment to flight. But he doesn't go into why flightless birds to lay eggs. Probably because it's convenient and there hasn't been enough time for evolution for them to evolve away from the habit. Also, flightless birds only have two legs for locomotion and might have a hard time with live young squirming around inside (just a guess). I'm sure any interested reader would be able to come out with their own hypotheses; it's just curious that it's not expounded upon at all. But it's a very minor flaw, if it can be called a flaw at all. I think this book will make a bird lover out of anyone. Also check out the VHS of the BBC series.
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Summary: Exceptionally informative!
Review: I found The Life of Birds very enjoyable and informative. The author took the trouble to break the information down into a logical set of chapter topics, and the photos are a pleasure to study, especially after reading the accompanying insightful text. I have plenty of good guides to North American birds, but none of my other books have the worldwide scope that this book does, highlighting both the similarities and differences in various species means of handling a given survival skill. Well done! (I enjoyed the subtle humour too!)
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Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I have read excerpts to my husband, to students in my son's first grade class--I would be delighted to share this book with anyone. David Attenborough is great! 'The Life of Birds' is pure gold. I cannot say enough. . . .
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Summary: Quite a Lot of Reviews Already; Let's Keep it Brief.
Review: I have recently reviewed The Life of Mammals, also by David Attenborough, and I liked that book so much I had to go out and find this book, in which the author tells us about birds. I have always thought that David Attenborough was most fascinated by birds, judging from this item and his television series. As usual, his enthusiasm comes across as honest, concise, and illuminating (no slogging through dry texts here; this is fun). Beautiful color photographs are not only a nice bonus here, but are detailed and large (certainly there has gone as much care into them as the rest of the book). The Life of Birds is structured in 10 chapters that each in turn handles a separate item (example: The Demands of the Egg is about, well, eggs). But the whole spectrum of bird-life is treated here: feeding, all kinds of behavior, etc., etc.. Good reading.
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Summary: Takes my breath away.
Review: It's hard to criticise anyone who manages to convey as much enthusiasm for his subject as Sir David Attenborogh. I have seen him as almost a fixture on BBC TV in England for forty or more years. He is the voice of so many nature programmes, and to each he brings his insatiable curiosity and his desire to inform the viewer. This book, so rich in both photographs and text, is outstanding. It's interesting, readable, amusing, detailed and just plain well-written. It's one of those books I pull out of my bookcase occasionally, just to read a chapter or two, or to look at the stunningly good photographs. Worth every penny of it's purchase cost. Well done to the BBC for making this TV series. And a special well done to Attenborough for writing such a hugely enjoyable book.
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