A Naturalist at Large - by Bernd Heinrich (Hardcover)

About the Book

From the acclaimed scientist and writer, essays collected for the first time in book form, on ravens and other birds, insects, trees, elephants, and more: once again "passionate observations [that] superbly mix memoir and science." (New York Times)

Book Synopsis

Some of the world's greatest writings on ravens and other birds, insects, trees, elephants, and more, collected for the first time in book form showing why Bernd Heinrich is so beloved for his "passionate observations [that] superbly mix memoir and science" (New York Times)

From one of the finest scientist/writers of our time comes an engaging record of a life spent in close observation of the natural world, one that has yielded "marvelous, mind-altering" (Los Angeles Times) insight and discoveries. In essays that span several decades, Heinrich finds himself at home in Maine, where he plays host to visitors from Europe (the cluster flies) and more welcome guests from Asia (ladybugs); and as far away as Botswana, where he unravels the far-reaching ecological consequences of elephants' bruising treatment of mopane trees. The many fascinating discoveries in Naturalist at Large include the maple sap harvesting habits of red squirrels, and the "instant" flower-opening in the yellow iris as a way of ensuring potent pollination. Heinrich turns to his great love, the ravens, some of them close companions for years, as he designs a unique experiment to tease out the fascinating parameters of raven intelligence. Finally, he asks "Where does a biologist find hope?" while delivering an answer that informs and inspires.

Review Quotes

Praise for One Wild Bird at a Time "[Bernd Heinrich is] a dedicated watcher happy to knock down the fourth wall of zoology." --Wall Street Journal Praise for The Homing Instinct "Deep and insightful writing." -- David Gessner, Washington Post Praise for Life Everlasting "Despite focusing on death and decay, Life Everlasting is far from morbid; instead, it is life-affirming . . . convincing the reader that physical demise is not an end to life, but an opportunity for renewal."--Nature Praise for Bernd Heinrich "He richly deserves the comparison to Thoreau."--Washington Post Book World "Passionate observations [that] superbly mix memoir and science."--New York Times Book Review --

About the Author

BERND HEINRICH is an acclaimed scientist and the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Winter World, Mind of the Raven, Why We Run, The Homing Instinct, and One Wild Bird at a Time. Among Heinrich's many honors is the 2013 PEN New England Award in nonfiction for Life Everlasting. He resides in Maine.