The Armchair Birder - by John Yow (Paperback)

About the Book

Armchair Birder: Discovering the Secret Lives of Familiar Birds

Book Synopsis

While birding literature is filled with tales of expert observers spotting rare species in exotic locales, John Yow reminds us that the most fascinating birds can be the ones perched right outside our windows. In thirty-five engaging and sometimes irreverent vignettes, Yow reveals the fascinating lives of the birds we see nearly every day. Following the seasons, he covers forty-two species, discussing the improbable, unusual, and comical aspects of his subjects' lives. Yow offers his own observations, anecdotes, and stories as well as those of America's classic bird writers, such as John James Audubon, Arthur Bent, and Edward Forbush. This unique addition to bird literature combines the fascination of bird life with the pleasure of good reading.

Review Quotes

"Ably illustrates facets of bird behavior and instinct, acknowledging their unique adaptations to the natural and human worlds. Written in a humorous, conversational tone, this enjoyable read is a good choice for developing birders." -- Library Journal

"Among a list of favorite things in life must be an armchair. If yours is near a window, you can observe the most active creatures this spring -- birds -- while dipping into John Yow's generous new offering." -- Asheville Citizen Times

"An excellent literary introduction to forty-two of the most common North American birds. . . . Colorful and engaging." -- Englewood Review of Books

"Finally, a bird book for the rest of us! John Yow has empowered . . . us to sit back, to let the birds come to us and to enjoy the sights and sounds. . . . Secrets of birds and birding are out at last!" -- Anniston Star

"More than bare facts and field marks, the book offers observations, anecdotes, and stories." -- Abstracts of Public Administration, Development, and Environment

"Whether you favor random dips into the book, or prefer to follow Yow systematically through the seasons, you will be sure to learn something new about the 42 species of birds that can be seen right outside your own window." -- Virginia Wildlife Magazine

"Who says you have to travel to faraway places to watch birds? The delightful essays in John Yow's The Armchair Birder take readers on a fascinating voyage of discovery in their own backyards." -- Tim Gallagher, author of Falcon Fever and The Grail Bird

"Yow discusses 40 species of birds. . . . [and] whets your appetite for knowing what they are up to. . . . [With] stunning black-and-white drawings of each bird by John James Audubon." -- Booklist

"Yow lets his gentle ruminations and finely observed truths lull the reader toward a quiet adventure into the 'ordinary' birds around them. . . . Yow is the ultimate gentleman birder, highlighting the omnipresent glory and understated miracle of these feathered friends." -- BookPage

"Fun to read, and anyone, regardless of experience level, will learn something from this book (probably many somethings)." -- www.birderslibrary.com

About the Author

John Yow is a freelance writer based in Acworth, Georgia, and former senior editor at Longstreet Press in Atlanta. He is author of The Armchair Birder Goes Coastal.