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Summary: A great book for the unitiated, but interested birder.
Review: Bill Thompson has written an absolutely splendid guide for the person who knows little about birds except what they see out the window or left on the hood of their car. The book is basic enough that the neophyte can start from zero and work their way up, but organized in a way that an "intermediate" can find real value too. I'm not a hard core birder so I can't speak to how one might view the book. The text is easily readable, not boring and zips along with more than the occasional joke, witticism or bad pun. Truly, the humor is well placed and Thompson writes in a semi-self deprecatory manner that is refreshing for an expert in any field. What I liked most was the practical aspect of helping someone start from scratch in attracting birds to their yard through choices of feeds, plantings, open spaces and other ideas. I'm convinced that if you want to attract birds this book will help you do so. A bonus was the color section of high quality photographs of Thompson's favorite birds. The book even had a nice little section on birding ettiquette for the unititiated who might find themselves in company with veterans. Always good to know what to say or not. With the possible exception of bird haters, I think almost anyone would enjoy this book. Well, maybe not Tippy Hedrin.
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Summary: Birdwatching for Dummies a Smart Buy!
Review: Birdwatching for Dummies offers a well-rounded, light-hearted yet information-packed volume to anyone interested in birds, whether beginner or intermediate birder. I've birded for 20 years now, and I think the book masterfully, and colorfully, ties together the many facets of birding. The beautiful illustrations put the icing on the cake. To anyone planning to begin to bird watch, or hone their skills, I'd highly recommend Birdwatching for Dummies as a smart choice!
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Summary: This book was a labor of love.
Review: I have been watching birds for more than 25 years and editing a magazine about birds for 10 years. Writing Bird Watching For Dummies gave me the chance to think back over many enjoyable, thrilling, and even embarassing experiences. I wanted to pass along to the reader all the tips, tricks, and hints I've learned from others, as well as the pitfalls, and joys that are a natural part of bird watching. If you want to get into watching birds, this book will help you do so, while helping you to avoid all the mistakes I made as a beginning bird watcher. After all, bird watching is meant to be enjoyable and rewarding, not frustratingly difficult.In short, writing Bird Watching For Dummies was a labor of love for this bird watcher. Always remember this birding mantra: See More Birds! Have More Fun
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Summary: Informative, fun to read, every birder needs it!
Review: I have never spent my money on a better book! This book got me into birdwatching and nature. In "Bird Watching for Dummies," Bill Thompson, III introduces you to his passion of observing birds. The book is filled with information and tips on which optics, field guides, bird seed, and books to buy, and very useful tips on how to observe bird behavior, identification, and attracting birds to your yard with food, water, shelter, and plants. If you are thinking about becoming a bird watcher, you must buy this book- if I could give it sixty stars, I would.
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Summary: Informative, fun to read, every birder needs it!
Review: I have never spent my money on a better book! This book got me into birdwatching and nature. In "Bird Watching for Dummies," Bill Thompson, III introduces you to his passion of observing birds. The book is filled with information and tips on which optics, field guides, bird seed, and books to buy, and very useful tips on how to observe bird behavior, identification, and attracting birds to your yard with food, water, shelter, and plants. If you are thinking about becoming a bird watcher, you must buy this book- if I could give it sixty stars, I would.
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Summary: Informative, fun to read, every birder needs it!
Review: I have never spent my money on a better book! This book got me into birdwatching and nature. In "Bird Watching for Dummies," Bill Thompson, III introduces you to his passion of observing birds. The book is filled with information and tips on which optics, field guides, bird seed, and books to buy, and very useful tips on how to observe bird behavior, identification, and attracting birds to your yard with food, water, shelter, and plants. If you are thinking about becoming a bird watcher, you must buy this book- if I could give it sixty stars, I would.
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Summary: The dummy speaks
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed Bill Thompson's book. It's rare when you can find a book that is so informational and completely entertaining as well. I love the sensitivity of the drawings throughout. I intend to use this book quite often; in fact I am currently building a bluebird nesting box. Birdwathchers most likely have the stigma of being eggheads, but this book certainly wouldn't lend credence to that (comparing a bluebird's love of worms to Homer Simpson's doughnut cravings is pure delight). Anyone at all interested in our feathered friends would enjoy reading this book.
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Summary: The ultimate introduction to bird watching!
Review: If you'd like to get back to nature and join the millions of bird watching enthusiasts worldwide, let "Bird Watching For Dummies™" take you on a private tour of the beautiful bird kingdom that will take your breath away! Inside the pages of "Bird Watching For Dummies™", you'll discover how to: *Design a bird-friendly backyard with bird feeders, houses, gardens and baths *Keep your bird feeders, gardens, baths and houses free of diseases and other pests *Locate sources for bird houses, feeders, binoculars, clothing, and more *Identify both eastern and western birds like an expert, from blue jays and barn swallows to hummingbirds and herons *Understand bird behavior and how to recognize birds by their songs *Make your own "life list" by keeping nots and records of the birds you see! IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., headquartered in Foster City, Calif., is a leading global knowledge company featuring a diverse portfolio of technology, business and self-help books and computer-based learning tools, including the best-selling ...For Dummies®, ...Secrets® and Teach Yourself® and Cliffs Notes™ brands. IDG Books Worldwide has more than 700 active titles plus translations in 36 languages around the world. More information about IDG Books Worldwide is available from the company's SEC filings or by visiting its World Wide Web site. IDG Books Worldwide is a subsidiary of International Data Group, a leading global provider of information technology media, research, conferences and expositions.
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Summary: Like five bird books for the price of one.
Review: In the tradition of the Dummies series, IDG has again sought out the best author in the field in producing Bird Watching for Dummies. Bill Thompson is clearly at the top of bird watching. Readers are rewarded with his storehouse of knowledge presented in a delightful and witty style. No turnstone is left untouched as Thompson covers every aspect of birding for every level of interest. Casual birders will find the book extremely informative and enlightening. Serious bird enthusiasts will discover tips and trivia that will enhance their knowledge and renew their enthusiasm. Thompson's personal love of bird watching is visible in his ability to provide descriptions and details as colorfull as the artwork and photogrophy you'll find throughout the book. More extensive than a field guide and more interesting than a how-to book. It's like getting five bird books for the price of one. You'll find yourself referring to it again and again.
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Summary: Entertaining and enlightening
Review: Into a universe of bird watching books that is characterized by tomes that are technically correct, tedious and bound to discourage participation in this wonderful activity by the novice, comes this gem of a book. Bill Thompson's writing provides the reader with a wealth of useful advice blended with just enough humor to bring across to the reader the shear joy of birdwatching. If you there is a friend, a loved one, or just someone that you want to turn on to birding, this is definitely the book to recommend or to give.
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