- Table View
- List View
Bird's-Eye View: Keeping Wild Birds in Flight (Orca Wild #4)
by Ann ErikssonWild birds are everywhere, from the dry deserts to the icy poles. We see them soaring overhead, paddling across water, flitting through trees, pecking at the ground or our backyard bird feeders and singing from fence posts. Birds contribute to the health of the planet and provide pleasure for millions of people, but wild birds are in trouble. Today, almost 200 bird species are critically endangered. They are threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, pesticides, plastics in the environment, human-made structures and other animals. Bird’s-Eye View looks at why wild birds are important, why they need help and what young people all over the world are doing and can do to give wild birds a boost. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Bird, New Edition (DK Definitive Visual Encyclopedias)
by DKThe diversity and drama of the bird world brought to breathtaking life in an encyclopedic new editionUnrivaled in scope for a single-volume reference work, this photographic guide to every bird order and family profiles more than 1,400 species, pictured in their native environment by photographers around the globe. Authoritative, comprehensive, and completely up to date, this reference was produced and revised by a team of expert contributors and in partnership with the leading avian authorities Birdlife International and Audubon.Bird's photographic catalog showcases birds from hummingbirds to monkey-eating eagles, each with a photograph, description, three-color distribution map, and data file. Organized in taxonomic order, the catalog has detailed introductions to every bird order. The perching birds alone, making the largest order, occupy 158 pages; and most of their families, such as larks or tanagers, also have their own introductions. Nearly 100 further pages focus in vivid detail on bird biology--their flight, anatomy, feeding, communication, breeding, habitat, migrations, life cycles, and the many habitats they live in. All this, and special features on the world's most impressive birdwatching locations, make this "A must-have reference for every bird enthusiast" (BBC Wildlife Magazine).
Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (Music in American Life)
by Chuck HaddixSaxophone virtuoso Charlie "Bird" Parker began playing professionally in his early teens, became a heroin addict at 16, changed the course of music, and then died when only 34 years old. His friend Robert Reisner observed, "Parker, in the brief span of his life, crowded more living into it than any other human being." Like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, he was a transitional composer and improviser who ushered in a new era of jazz by pioneering bebop and influenced subsequent generations of musicians. Meticulously researched and written, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker tells the story of his life, music, and career. This new biography artfully weaves together firsthand accounts from those who knew him with new information about his life and career to create a compelling narrative portrait of a tragic genius. While other books about Parker have focused primarily on his music and recordings, this portrait reveals the troubled man behind the music, illustrating how his addictions and struggles with mental health affected his life and career. He was alternatively generous and miserly; a loving husband and father at home but an incorrigible philanderer on the road; and a chronic addict who lectured younger musicians about the dangers of drugs. Above all he was a musician, who overcame humiliation, disappointment, and a life-threatening car wreck to take wing as Bird, a brilliant improviser and composer. With in-depth research into previously overlooked sources and illustrated with several never-before-seen images, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker corrects much of the misinformation and myth about one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century.
BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, And Stories Of 100 Birds From The Popular Public Radio Show
by BirdNote Ellen Blackstone Emily PooleOne hundred entertaining and informative essays from the popular public radio feature program, BirdNote, accompanied by original illustrations throughout--an illuminating volume for bird and nature lovers across North America.Here are the best stories about our avian friends from the public radio show BirdNote, each brief essay illuminating the life, habits, or songs of a particular bird. Why do geese fly in a V-formation? Why are worms so good for you--if you're a robin? Which bird calls, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?" From wrens that nest in cactuses to gulls that have a strange red dot on their bills--these digestible and fascinating bird stories are a delightful window to the winged world. A foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and an introduction by Gordon Orians, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington, are also included. Contains web links to the audio version of each story, with bird sounds.
Birder on Berry Lane: Three Acres, Twelve Months, Thousands of Birds
by Robert Tougias&“Birder on Berry Lane weaves a remarkably rich tapestry, describing many birds&’ lives around a single place and showing just how connected to them we can become. Robert Tougias proves that if we look, we can see so much more than we think, even in our own backyards.&” Brian Sullivan eBird project leader, Cornell University Author of Better Birding—Tips, Tools, and Concepts for the Field A month-by-month guide to the birds that flock to the peaceful New England backyard of a noted writer, birder, and naturalist. Robert Tougias's house on Berry Lane may look like a typical Connecticut suburban home, but as his fascinating year-long account reveals, its three-acre backyard is teeming with nature's mysteries. Acutely sensitive to the activities of birds, Tougias notes which species are present, which are breeding, and where their nests are. He identifies each species by its song, and brings us on a journey of appreciation as we learn the wonders of bird migration, the sensitive interaction of birds with their habitat, and the hidden meaning of their call notes and songs.Intimate and acutely observed writing reveals the miracles of the ordinary in the subtle changes, season to season, of the ecosystem of the woods, streams, and meadow that make up the sprawling backyard on Berry Lane. We are led to consider, too, the dangers posed by the climate crisis and unthinking human development. The quietly powerful writing tunes our senses to the change of the seasons, the return of warblers in spring, geese flying south in the fall--all happening on time as they have for eons.Beautifully illustrated with twenty-five line drawings, Birder on Berry Lane is a book of sublime simplicity that teaches an appreciation for what we commonly overlook.
Birder's Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk
by Jeffrey V. WellsUntil now there has been no single, comprehensive resource on the status of North America's most threatened birds and what people can do to help protect them. Birder's Conservation Handbook is the only book of its kind, written specifically to help birders and researchers understand the threats while providing actions to protect birds and their habitats. Jeffrey Wells has distilled vast amounts of essential information into a single easy-to-use volume-required reading for anyone who loves birds and wants to ensure they are protected. At-a-glance species accounts cover in detail North America's one hundred most at-risk birds; each account is beautifully illustrated by today's top bird artists. The text includes status, distribution, ecology, threats, conservation actions and needs, and references. A distribution map accompanies each entry. Chapters discuss birds as indicators of environmental health, the state of North American bird populations, major conservation issues, and initiatives now underway to improve the health of North America's birds. Birder's Conservation Handbook is an indispensable resource for birdwatchers, researchers, naturalists, and conservationists. Reading it will inspire you to become an active steward of our birds and the habitats we share. A comprehensive guide to North America's one hundred most at-risk birds and how to protect them Compact and easy to use, with beautiful illustrations and data organized for convenient, at-a-glance reference Detailed species accounts, including distribution maps Practical advice on conservation Information on leading conservation agencies and resources
Birdfinding in British Columbia
by Richard Cannings Russell CanningsFrom Canada's top birding team comes the definitive guide to finding birds in British Columbia.Veteran naturalist and birdfinder Richard Cannings and his son, Russell, a gifted birder in his own right, use their combined knowledge and expertise to guide readers to the best birding sites in the province. The book is divided into eleven regions, from Vancouver Island to the Far North, providing bird lovers with detailed information about how to reach the best sites to look for birds, when to look for them, and what they might find.Packed with descriptions of the natural history, ecosystems, and diverse landscapes of British Columbia and accompanied by numerous maps, this thorough guide is enhanced by Donald Gunn's charming line drawings and the authors' infectious enthusiasm, making it a must-have for novice and expert birders alike.
Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future
by Mya-Rose CraigBirder, environmentalist and activist Mya-Rose Craig is an international force. In her moving memoir, Birdgirl, she chronicles her mother’s struggle with mental illness, and shares her passion for social justice and fierce dedication to preserving our planet.Meet Mya-Rose – otherwise known as “Birdgirl.” In her words: “Birdwatching has never felt like a hobby, or a pastime I can pick up and put down, but a thread running through the pattern of my life, so tightly woven in that there’s no way of pulling it free and leaving the rest of my life intact.”Birdgirl follows Mya-Rose and her family as they travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too—her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again for comfort and meaning. Each bird they see brings a moment of joy and reflection, instilling in Mya-Rose a deep love of the natural world. But Mya-Rose has also seen first-hand the reckless destruction we are inflicting on our fragile planet, as well as the pervasive racism infecting every corner of the world, leading her to campaign for Black, Indigenous, people of color.Joining the fight of today's young environmental activists, Mya-Rose shares her experiences to advocate for the simple, profound gift of nature, and for making it accessible to all, calling her readers to rediscover the power of our natural world.Birder, activist, daughter: this is her story.
Birdhouses You Can Build in a Day
by Popular WoodworkingBuild a Fine Home for your Feathered Friends Birds of all feathers will be flocking to your backyard to live in the beautiful houses and dine in the unique feeders you can build in just a few short hours. This book is chock-full of more than 50 simple projects for bird, butterfly and bat houses designed by the expert editors of Popular Woodworking Books. All you need are basic woodworking skills, tools, project materials and your imagination! Each design is guaranteed to attract specific birds in nearly every region, including Australia, Europe and the United States. Build a cottage for chickadees, nesting shelves and boxes for robins and mourning doves, basic bluebird houses-even a finch castle! Step-by-step color photos and easy-to-follow instructions will guide you along the way. Why spend your money on a ready-made birdhouse or feeder that looks like all the rest? In one afternoon, you can build a unique bird retreat that will soon turn your backyard into a birdwatcher's paradise!
Birdhouses and Feeders
by S. Craven G. Barquest R. EllarsonYou don't have to be an outdoorsy type to enjoy birdwatching, and you don't necessarily have to go outdoors to watch birds! Set up any of these thirty cozy homes and feeders in a spot that's conveniently viewed from indoors, and let the show begin!This easy-to-use manual features clear illustrations and step-by-step construction guidelines for building permanent residences, winter homes, and snack bars for birds of many different feathers—wrens, bluebirds, owls, robins, titmice, and other species, including squirrels and bats. A list of easily obtainable materials appears with each design, along with helpful suggestions for attracting specific creatures. Most designs involve woodworking techniques; others offer simple methods for recycling milk jugs, cardboard cartons, and tires into wildlife refuges.
Birdhouses of the World
by Anne SchmaussBirdhouses of the World offers readers a curated collection of beautiful, whimsical, stop-you-in-your-tracks amazing birdhouses created by designers and bird lovers around the world. Bird expert and author Anne Schmauss provides a brief history of birdhouses and lists the kinds of birds that inhabit them, as well as the types of structures that attract various species. Most important in her selection for this book is the “wow” factor: These birdhouses are spectacular in their creativity, ingenuity, and sheer originality. With styles ranging from sleek modern to elaborate Victorian, they are as varied as human houses. Illustrating the wide-ranging designs found throughout the world, and even including the birdhouse of filmmaker George Lucas, this book is a captivating look at the creativity than can result when a functional structure is infused with a love of birds.
Birdie & Harlow: Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn't Want Kids (…Until I Did)
by Taylor WolfeThe funny and poignant story of one woman’s wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog – and what he taught her about chosen family and the reward of motherhood.Birdie & Harlow is the story of a baby and a dog. But motherhood is never quite that simple. In Taylor Wolfe’s case, it’s a long, zigzagging and winding road.Meant to be a last-minute anniversary gift for her then boyfriend (and now husband), the highly-energetic and loud-mouthed Vizla puppy named Harlow turns out to be the best snap decision twenty-year-old Taylor ever makes—and the beginning of the most epic friendship she ever has. As Wolfe’s resistance to 9-5’s and traditional adulthood grows, Harlow becomes the perfect companion for her eccentricities in a world that thrives on conformity. Wolfe’s twenties—full of pitfalls and surprises, sad days and silver linings—led her to the realization that life is too short to spend your days in a crate (or a cubicle), that parks are meant to be enjoyed, and most importantly, she wants to be a mom. But really, isn't she one already? A charming and touching memoir, Birdie & Harlow is a tribute to the many expressions of modern motherhood, to both human and fur babies alike. Taylor’s story reminds all of us that life will surprise you and that families should come in every shape and size.
Birdie Bowers: Captain Scott's Marvel
by Anne StrathieHenry ‘Birdie’ Bowers realised his life’s ambition when he was selected for Captain Scott’s Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic, yet he also met his death on the journey. Born to a sea-faring father and adventurous mother on the Firth of Clyde, Bowers’ boyhood obsession with travel and adventure took him round the world several times and his life appears, with hindsight, to have been a ceaseless preparation for his ultimate, Antarctic challenge. Although just 5ft 4in, he was a bundle of energy; knowledgeable, indefatigable and the ultimate team player. In Scott’s words, he was ‘a marvel’. This new biography, drawing on Bowers’ letters, journals and previously neglected material, sheds new light on Bowers and tells the full story of the hardy naval officer who could always lift his companions’ spirits.
Birding Indonesia
by Paul Jepson Rosie OunstedBirding Indonesia is the first guide to bird-watching in Indonesia. The archipelago contains 17% of the world's bird species, of which 381 are found nowhere else on earth. Written by the world's leading authorities on Indonesian birds, this book directs you in search of these specialities, to sites as varied as the environs of Jakarta to Arfak Mountains in Irian JayaPracticalities: Travel information geared to every budget, including details of transport, accommodations, dining prices, as well as specialist information relevant to birdersInformation: Essays on bird families, a history of Indonesian ornithology, today's conservation efforts, and much more. A complete checklist of Indonesian birds, with common and scientific names(along with the areas in which the birds are found), and a bibliography.Photography and Maps: More than 130 color photographs showing some of Indonesia's top birds and birding sites and 28 maps (some with bird habitats marked in color)
Birding Indonesia
by Paul Jepson Rosie OunstedBirding Indonesia is the first guide to bird-watching in Indonesia. The archipelago contains 17% of the world's bird species, of which 381 are found nowhere else on earth. Written by the world's leading authorities on Indonesian birds, this book directs you in search of these specialities, to sites as varied as the environs of Jakarta to Arfak Mountains in Irian JayaPracticalities: Travel information geared to every budget, including details of transport, accommodations, dining prices, as well as specialist information relevant to birdersInformation: Essays on bird families, a history of Indonesian ornithology, today's conservation efforts, and much more. A complete checklist of Indonesian birds, with common and scientific names(along with the areas in which the birds are found), and a bibliography.Photography and Maps: More than 130 color photographs showing some of Indonesia's top birds and birding sites and 28 maps (some with bird habitats marked in color)
Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery
by Dorian Anderson&“One hell of a ride.&”—Nick Offerman, actor, woodworker, New York Times bestselling author&“With a fresh infusion of adventure, danger, and personal growth. . . .[Anderson brings] a story that is both a joy to read and fodder for reflection. . . . [and] it has inspired me to new hopes for my birding.&”—Birding Magazine, American Birding AssociationAt a personal and professional crossroads, a man resets his life and finds sobriety, love, and 618 bird species, cycling his way to a very Big Year.In Birding Under the Influence, Dorian Anderson, a neuroscience researcher on a pressure-filled life trajectory, walks away from the world of elite institutions, research labs, and academic publishing. In doing so, he falls in love and discovers he has freed himself to embrace his lifelong passion for birding.A North American Big Year—a continent-spanning adventure in which a birder attempts to see as many species as possible in twelve months—is a massive undertaking under any circumstances. But doing it on a bike while maintaining sobriety? That&’s next level.As Dorian pedals across the country, describing the birds he sees, he confronts the challenges of long-distance cycling: treacherous weather, punctured tires, speeding cars, and injury. He encounters eccentric characters, blistering blacktop, dreary hotel rooms, snarling dogs, and an endless sea of smoking tailpipes. He also confronts his past struggles with alcohol, drugs, and risky behaviors that began in high school and followed him into adulthood.Birding Under the Influence is a candid, honest look at Dorian&’s double life of academic accomplishment and addiction. While his journey to recovery is simultaneously poignant and inspiring, it is ultimately his love of birds and nature that provides the scaffolding to build a new and radically different life.&“Candid and often moving reflections . . . make for absorbing reading. . . . [This is] a memoir of a journey that was more than just a chase after numbers.&”—Booklist (starred)&“An uplifting and hopeful memoir and social commentary about healing . . . [Birding Under the Influence] is an interesting exploration of the extreme ends that one man went to to overcome his twin demons of alcohol and drug addiction by redirecting his addictive Type-A personality into more healthy pursuits. . . . [It also] provide[s] an interesting glimpse into regional American subcultures.&”—Forbes
Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World
by Noah StryckerThe story of how the associate editor of Birding magazine set himself a lofty goal: to become the first person to see half the world&’s birds in one year.In 2015, for 365 days, with a backpack, binoculars, and a series of one-way tickets, Noah Strycker traveled across forty-one countries and all seven continents, eventually spotting 6,042 species—by far the biggest birding year on record. This is no travelogue or glorified checklist. Noah ventures deep into a world of chronic sleep deprivation, airline snafus, breakdowns, mudslides, floods, war zones, ecologic devastation, conservation triumphs, common and iconic species, and scores of passionate bird lovers around the globe. By pursuing the freest creatures on the planet, he gains a unique perspective on the world they share with us—and offers a hopeful message that even as many birds face an uncertain future, more people than ever are working to protect them.&“Birding Without Borders is light-hearted and filled with stories of exotic birds, risky adventures, and colorful birding companions.&”—New York Times Book Review &“Highly recommended for anyone interested in travel, natural history, and adventure.&”—Library Journal &“Even readers who wouldn&’t know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed by Strycker&’s achievement and appreciate the passion with which he pursues his interest.&”—Publishers Weekly
Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront
by Heather WolfBright lights, big city, and . . . birds? The Brooklyn Bridge once overshadowed a decaying industrial waterfront, but today it points the way to a new green oasis: Brooklyn Bridge Park. When avid birder Heather Wolf moved from tropical Florida to a nearby apartment, she wondered how many species she might see there, and soon came to a surprising realization: Not only is the park filled with an astonishing variety of birds, but the challenges that come with urban birding make them even more fun—and rewarding—to find. Camera in hand, Heather has captured scores of memorable scenes—a European starling pokes its head out of a hole in a snack shop, a marsh wren straddles two branches, common grackle nestlings clamor for food above the basketball courts—in more than 150 stunning photographs that will entrance birders and bird lovers, wherever their local patch may be. From the familiar-but-striking bufflehead duck to the elusive mourning warbler, every species comes to life on the page, foraging, nesting, and soaring in the slice of the city where they’ve made themselves at home. Discover the thrilling adventure of birding in the great outdoors—in the heart of Brooklyn.
Birding for Babies: A Colors Book
by Chloe GoodhartIntroducing a new board book series, filled with fun facts, that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From the purple finch to the Indigo bunting, kids will explore some of the most popular migrating birds nature has to offer while learning their unique colors, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding for Babies: A Numbers Book
by Chloe GoodhartIntroducing a new board book series, filled with fun facts, that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From two red-bellied woodpeckers to eight northern mockingbirds, kids will explore some of the most popular backyard birds nature has to offer while learning their numbers, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding for Babies: An Opposites Book
by Chloe GoodhartDiscover new feathery friends in this book series filled with fun facts that invites young readers into the exciting world of bird-watching.From the slow woodcock to the fast roadrunner, kids will explore some of the most popular birds around the world while learning about opposites, too! The whole family can bring these books outdoors and bird together!
Birding in Connecticut (Garnet Bks.)
by Frank Gallo&“Absolutely packed with useful details about all of Connecticut&’s best birding locations . . . an essential reference for any birder in the state.&” ―David Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds Birding in Connecticut is the definitive guide to where, when, and how to find birds in the state. Packed with information valuable to birders of all skill levels, from species accounts and a first-of-a kind cumulative list of rare bird sightings to a host of tips and tricks to finding and identifying birds, it is an invaluable resource on the habits and habitats of Connecticut's birdlife, with clear and up-to-date bar graphs showing seasonal occurrence and abundance for every Connecticut bird species. It is the first guide of its kind to offer QR code links to continually updated information on the occurrence and abundance of birds at each location. Beautifully illustrated with color photographs and maps, Birding in Connecticut is the perfect companion for experts and novices alike. &“A one-stop shopping expedition for birders of all skill levels. It&’s also a definitive guide for lovers of the state&’s natural gifts, flora and fauna alike.&” ―The Sunday Republican
Birding to Change the World: A Memoir
by Trish O'KaneIn this uplifting memoir, a professor and activist shares what birds can teach us about life, social change, and protecting the environment.Trish O’Kane is an accidental ornithologist. In her nearly two decades writing about justice as an investigative journalist, she'd never paid attention to nature. But then Hurricane Katrine destroyed her New Orleans home, sending her into an emotional tailspin.Enter a scrappy cast of feathered characters—first a cardinal, urban parrots, and sparrows, then a catbird, owls, a bittern, and a woodcock—that cheered her up and showed her a new path. Inspired, O'Kane moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to pursue an environmental studies PhD. There she became a full-on bird obsessive—logging hours in a stunningly biodiverse urban park, filling field notebooks with bird doings and dramas, and teaching ornithology to college students and middle-school kids.When Warner Park—her daily birdwatching haven—was threatened with development, O’Kane and her neighbors mustered a mighty murmuration of nature lovers, young and old, to save the birds' homes. Through their efforts, she learned that once you get outside and look around, you're likely to fall in love with a furred or feathered creature—and find a flock of your own.In Birding to Change the World, O'Kane details the astonishing science of bird life, from migration and parenting to the territorial defense strategies that influenced her own activism. A warm and compelling weave of science and social engagement, this is the story of an improbably band of bird lovers who saved their park. And it is a blueprint for muscular citizenship, powered by joy.
Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey
by Jess KeatingFrom the author of Shark Lady comes the true story of Florence Merriam Bailey, the groundbreaking scientist who inspired a nation to take up bird-watching and worked tirelessly to protect our feathered friends.Before Florence, there was no such thing as "bird-watching". Bright plumes on lady's hats were all the rage, but no one was climbing trees or wading through marsh-grass to spot the birds they came from. Even scientists studied birds in labs instead of outside in their natural habitat.But Florence changed all that. A bird-lover since childhood, she wanted to show the world what made these creatures special. She wanted everyone to care as much as she did, and so she taught classes, printed pamphlets, and eventually began leading bird walks so people could see it with their own eyes. Over time, they did see! With hard work and perseverence, Florence changed the way we look at birds, inspiring millions to follow in her footsteps on bird walks of their own.With gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Devon Holzwarth (Listen), Florence's story takes flight in soaring spreads that capture her inquisitive spirit and passionate advocacy for our feathered friends, a legacy that lives on to this day.
Birdmen
by Lawrence GoldstoneFrom acclaimed historian Lawrence Goldstone comes a thrilling narrative of courage, determination, and competition: the story of the intense rivalry that fueled the rise of American aviation. The feud between this nation's great air pioneers, the Wright brothers and Glenn Curtiss, was a collision of unyielding and profoundly American personalities. On one side, a pair of tenacious siblings who together had solved the centuries-old riddle of powered, heavier-than-air flight. On the other, an audacious motorcycle racer whose innovative aircraft became synonymous in the public mind with death-defying stunts. For more than a decade, they battled each other in court, at air shows, and in the newspapers. The outcome of this contest of wills would shape the course of aviation history--and take a fearsome toll on the men involved. Birdmen sets the engrossing story of the Wrights' war with Curtiss against the thrilling backdrop of the early years of manned flight, and is rich with period detail and larger-than-life personalities: Thomas Scott Baldwin, or "Cap't Tom" as he styled himself, who invented the parachute and almost convinced the world that balloons were the future of aviation; John Moisant, the dapper daredevil who took to the skies after three failed attempts to overthrow the government of El Salvador, then quickly emerged as a celebrity flyer; and Harriet Quimby, the statuesque silent-film beauty who became the first woman to fly across the English Channel. And then there is Lincoln Beachey, perhaps the greatest aviator who ever lived, who dazzled crowds with an array of trademark twists and dives--and best embodied the romance with death that fueled so many of aviation's earliest heroes. A dramatic story of unimaginable bravery in the air and brutal competition on the ground, Birdmen is at once a thrill ride through flight's wild early years and a surprising look at the personal clash that fueled America's race to the skies. Advance praise for Birdmen "A riveting narrative about the pioneering era of aeronautics in America and beyond . . . a well-written, thoroughly researched work that is sure to compel readers interested in history, aviation, and invention. Goldstone raises questions of enduring importance regarding innovation and the indefinite exertion of control over ideas that go public."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Superbly crafted . . . strengthened by fresh perspectives, rigorous analyses, comprehensible science, and a driving narrative."--Library Journal (starred review)"Birdmen is so much more than the story of man's leap into the clouds. Exhilarating, exasperating, and inspiring in equal measure, the Wright brothers' tale is a parable for modern times, told in fascinating detail and gripping prose by Lawrence Goldstone."--Dr. Amanda Foreman, author A World on Fire "Meticulously researched and illuminating, Birdmen unveils the forgotten flyboys who gave America an invention to win wars, spread peace, and advance her destiny--air power."--Adam Makos, internationally bestselling author of A Higher Call"The history of human flight goes way beyond the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. Lawrence Goldstone skillfully tells the rest of the story about the dreamers history has forgotten, and it's a helluva story superbly told. Birdmen is a wondrous journey from takeoff to landing."--Bill Griffeth, author of By Faith AloneFrom the Hardcover edition.