Product Description
Miracles and passion abound in this mesmerizing novel--hailed everywhere as a masterwork--the story of a remarkable young woman's sudden sainthood in the revolutionary-era Mexico of the late 19th century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (70)

wonderful
Wonderful and in the best tradition of magical realism. I loved this book.The Tao Of Writing: Imagine. Create. Flow.

Best book I've ever read.
Urrea is a great writer.I cannot say enough good things about his book or his writing.The story alone is fascinating, and with his abilities, this story becomes a work of art.I agree that it is a modern classic.

I Tell Everyone To Read This
I enjoy historical fictions and to find one that takes place during pre-revolution turn-of-the century Mexico was a treat.Urrea gives us sensory Mexico, with culture, and the spirituality of curanderas.Enjoyed the story and the well-crafted writing.Do yourself a favor and read this.

As always, Urrea is an alchemist
I bought and opened The Hummingbird's Daughter because I had read By the Lake of the Sleeping Children and knew that Luis Urrea writes with an obsidian blade - remember, obsidian can be sharpened to the finest edge of any material.As soon as I entered the book, I was taken.I was carried.And, when a river that was both cool water from an olla, and molten stone carried me to its end, I found that I was not at the end of the river at all.I was left with the threads of more mystery and it was my job to weave those threads into my own actions.

Urrea is probably the most subtly political writer of anyone working today.I have been thinking about the upper-middle class and Colonizers' bias of most of the media.I bet you read articles in the NY Times, or Harper's, or listen to NPR and think, "Say what?Who is this 'we" these people are telling us I am?"Urrea writes from the heart of a gourd, a creosote, a thunderstorm, a goat, a woman, a cloud.That is the 'we' he is telling us we are.

Buy this book - don't borrow it, we writers earn our livings from our work - read it.Be aware.You just might be transformed.

Not for the faint of heart but heart warming
A very well written book with very interesting historical information. That period of time was very chaotic and violent which is graphically portrayed.It was a bit hard to get through in a few places. Knowing that the author spent 20 years researching the information and was very thorough along with his emotional attachment considering he was related to the main character made it worth reading.
The characters came alive to the point you felt you really knew them.
I would not let a young child read it. ... Read more

Product Description
With seventy full-color photographs, eight range maps showing summer and winter distribution, and eight diagrams of the birds' striking aerobatics, this guide will fully enable readers to enjoy these popular birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Ya gotta love these jewels of nature!!
This is a great book. Easy to read; a light coffee table book. It has all the types of hummers and where they live, migrate, their habitat in a simple format with nice photos, diving diagrams. Great resource to learn about the birds for your area.

Learn about Hummingbirds
So many things to wonder about when watching these tiny little birds.They drive away the crows and eagles while protecting their nests. We have one loyal "guard bird" each year who protects his yard.I have had so many questions about where they go and how they live which are all answered in this book - wonderful photos too!

Hints on Hummers
This was the third book on hummingbirds that I bought.It is a good one to have.This book seems more down to regular human knowledge and not as much scientific jargon.This is my grandchildren's favorite.There is a lot of info on types and favorite feeders for the hummers.This was interesting.A great all around book.

I wished it was a little smaller in dimension, for easier use out of doors, but we have thoroughly enjoyed the contents.

wonderful resource book
beautiful pictures and great information for new and old hummingbird watchers.This book was included with various hummingbird feeders as a gift for my brother.I wanted him to enjoy watching the hummingbirds in his yard.

Great pictures
Purchased this book as a gift for my mother-in-law and we have all enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures to indentify the hummingbirds that visit her feeder.Gives lots of helpful advice on care and maintenance on the feeders as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Tarek Malouf opened the first Hummingbird Bakery in London's fashionable Notting Hill district in 2004. This cookbook allows you to step inside this unique bakery and bring its trademark butter cream swirls, sprinkles, and layer-cake slices into your own kitchen. The Hummingbird's Cupcakes fly off the shelves faster than any other cake. Who can resist an adorable Vanilla Cupcake topped with candy-colored butter cream frosting and scattered with sprinkles? Take Cakes to the next level with some mouthwatering recipes. Red Velvet and Carrot are both favorites at the Bakery, and the Hummingbird Cake is a sweet, sticky triumph of banana and pineapple. Open Pies, pies with tops on, delicate pies and no-holds-barred pies: There's no shortage of options. Try Lemon Meringue with its mountain of golden fluffy meringue atop a rich, tangy lemon cream. You'll find favorite Pecan Pie here too. When you need a sweet fix, Brownies & Bars hit the spot. Rocky Road and Muesli Bars are always popular and make welcome additions to a packed lunch. There can't be much that beats a homemade Blueberry Muffin with your first cup of coffee in the morning. Finally, there's something childishly satisfying about a big, chewy Cookie studded with chocolate chunks--there's something here for every king of cookie fiend. *Classic bakes are back in vogue and this book provides 50 simple recipes for everyone's favorites--from Vanilla Cupcakes to Key Lime Pie. *"If you haven't tasted a Hummingbird Bakery look-too-good-to-eat cupcake, you've definitely missed out." Marie Claire ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Hit and miss
I am a perfectly adequate baker - I know how to follow a recipe and bake often (at least every weekend).The red velvet cupcakes turned out fairly well and that is the best cream cheese icing ever!However, the Black Bottom Cupcakes don't work.I followed the recipe exactly - converting back to metric using the table in the back of the book (I'm from Australia) and the batter for the chocolate part was so thick it broke by hand mixer, it was even thicker than most cookie dough and the cheese cake part wouldn't come together.So the next day I tried again, this time paying extra special attention to the recipe with the same result.I do note that if you look up the recipe online it has different values against the ingredients (which I haven't tried yet)........ is there a mistake in the book in the conversions??If so shouldn't there be a disclaimer when you buy??Honestly not sure I want to try any other recipes and waste money on ingredients that get thrown in the bin.

Beautiful photography - mediocre recipes
I purchased this cookbook because I was looking for cupcake recipes to bake with my toddler.I bake frequently and I have never experienced problems with a cookbook like I did with this one.I followed the recipes exactly as they are written. I would not suggest this cookbook.

The first recipe we tried were the blueberry muffins, which I found to be very bland and my kids didn't care for them.I then tried the blueberry cake, but it wouldn't turn out right.I made the cake 4 times before altering the recipe enough to fit my needs and then it was fantastic.I live at a high elevation and thought that perhaps that was the reason that the cake would always fall and the center was always gooey.I contacted the bakery and was told that no change was needed and that it was probably my oven temperature.I went out and purchased a temperature gauge for my oven, which was not the problem.In the end I had to add an additional 1/4 cup of flour and reduce the eggs by one (even using medium).The cake was a nice go-between a sour-cream coffee cake and a blueberry muffin.I thought their recipe for cream cheese frosting was really good.When I purchase a cookbook I expect not to have to alter the recipe.

We have also made the chocolate cupcakes and chocolate frosting.The cupcakes tasted good, but the consistency wasn't the best.Today we made the vanilla cupcakes and again they taste ok, but the consistency isn't great.Both of the cupcake recipes didn't rise properly in the center.The frostings for both are tasty.

disappointed
I just felt that I had to leave a review for this book. I'm a Leiths trained cook and was very excited about receiving the book. I straight away made the red velvet cupcakes and was very disappointed as they tasted of nothing and the cream cheese icing with so little butter was a disaster. I then went on to try the pineapple and coconut cupcakes, at the beginning of the book it states that you can use the British muffin size cases, well I did and it states that the mixture makes 12, well it doesn't it makes about 6. Personally I will be putting this book back on shelf with Nigella Lawson ( her recipes don't work either) and go back to my leiths school of food and wine and Cake book that works everytime.

Delicious AND Beautiful!!!
I've tried 3 desserts in this cookbook that have been absolutely wonderful.The Lemon Bars were so tangy and flavorful.The Oatmeal Raisin cookies were delicious with a wonderful hint of cinnamon.And the Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies were so tender and rich.I loved all of these.I must also mention that I tried the Black Bottom Cupcakes and those were much too dense for me, but the other desserts I've tried have been great.They're all delicious and so pretty!

JUST FOLLOW THE RECIPE.......!
This is my most treasured, most splattered, most used cookbook. It allows you to create the most beautiful cupcakes, cakes and cookies, all of which have turned out brilliantly! I've followed about 10 ish recipes so far, and apart from a little trouble melting some marshmellow (not the book's fault) they all turned out soooo well that i've had so many compliments on my baking! By far the best are the Red Velvet cupcakes, which I'm now addicted to making, and the New York Chocolate Cheesecake - both of which were dessert heaven.... Don't try and do your own thing and just blindly follow the recipe as instructed, and you'll have no bother.

ps - I have NEVER before reviewed a book on here, but I felt so passionate about defending it after reading some of the negative reviews that I just had to have my two-penneth. ... Read more

Product Description
Anyone who has fallen under the spell of the hummingbird will treasure this lovable true story of a young ruby-throated hummingbird who becomes part of someone's household and life. 57 full-color photographs; 10 black-and-white drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Fantastic book!
This book is much more than I imagined.It's great for anyone who loves animals of any type, and particularly those who loves birds.As someone who had a chance to hold a hummingbird this summer, that got trapped in our garage, this was a truly wonderful book. I learned many facts about hummingbirds from this book, too.

Charming tale!
A warmly told tale, simple and affectionate, by a woman who plainly loves both her birds and her gardens. My mother is a gardener, and comes from the same region of NY State. When I shared these stories with her, she was very pleased with them. We have since shared them with several other family members, who have all loved them. The beautiful photo illustrations really add to the pleasure, too.

Wish it was longer
Terrific little book, a must-have for those who love hummingbirds.It is only 116 pages long and I was sorry to come to the end.

Great book for Animal lovers
My 11 year old daughter loves reading non-fiction books about animals.She loved this!!!

A precious story
I am so happy when folks take time to look after even the tiniest of God's creatures.This was well written. ... Read more

Product Description
There is a sense of mystery that surrounds hummingbirds: Why are they so small? What makes it possible for them to hover? Why are they so colorful? Do they ever rest? This book gives the often amazing answers. The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds takes the reader into the high-energy world of North America's smallest bird. Hearts that beat 500 to more than 1200 times per minute. Wings that buzz at as much as 52 beats per second. And respiration that can clock in at up to 600 breaths per minute. But their energetic lifestyle is only one facet of the secret lives of hummingbirds. Illustrated with twenty-nine full-color photographs, The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds is a treat for birders, naturalists, or anyone else who can't resist the allure of these eye-catching, pugnacious miniature birds. The book also includes a close-up look at the Desert Museum's famous hummingbird aviary as well as tips on how to enjoy and attract wild hummingbirds. It's no wonder that The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds is our most popular publication! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Hummer Pics and Facts
This little book was published by the Sonora Desert Museum, but there's essentially only two pages at the end describingthe museum's work. "Secret Lives" grabs one's attention with a spectacular cover photograph and keeps its hold on the attention with more outstanding photography and interesting hummingbird information. In fact, there's a surprising amount of hummingbird lore contained on these 22 pages. A hummingbird lover should like this book as long as he or she has reasonable expectations and is not looking for the broader content of hummer minutiae that would be found in a longer work.

beautiful photos
I bought this for my 88 yr old mother because she had so many hummers at her front porch feeder. It is a small, lightweight book filled with incredibly colorful photos. Everyone who visits picks it up and reads it from her coffee table. I think she is reading it now for the fifth time. A gem!

BEAUTIFUL BOOK
This book is filled with beautiful colored photos and lots of very interesting information about hummingbirds.

Hummer Reference
Another reviewer was right!Small book, LOTS of information that you can USE if you're into attracting hummers...HIGHLY recommend the book.

Fast Service
Order came in pretty quick and in great condition-I would order from this person again. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Fine book, but it does not cover all Hummingbirds as described
Preliminary, I'd like to say it is a very well illustrated book. Outstanding pics of SEVERAL (not all) birds. It is a good addition to my collection, but I'm quite disappointed as I was expecting a real Hummingbird guide.

This book is directed to the hummingbird enthusiast. Definitely it is not suitable for a serious birder, scientist and academic biologists that are seeking for serious identification and info, as they do not cover all the species, and for the ones covered, it does not have occurrence maps, pics detailing the sexual dimorphism and other scientific relevant info.

Anyway, for $12 it worth for what itis proposed (not an Id guide, scientific book).

HELPED MEIDENTIFY OUR LOCAL HUMMINGBIRDS
Because we live in Las Vegas I also picked up one very valuable tip from this book - that in a hot climate a sugar mix can quickly go sour.So make small quantities to last about 3 days.

Heartening to know by acquiring a very solid well-designed 5-spiggot feeder from Wal-mart we've enabled a hummingbird couple to settle down in this apartment complex and have children. It pretty obvious when you see a mother bird with a rather fat tummy she's about to lay two eggs.

How the little-ones manage their very first hover is still a mystery but very soon one sees a tiny little creature with a body about the size of a grape supping his evening meal just as astutely as its parents.

Another nice thing about hummingbirds is they go to bed later than normal birds.So just after sunset is their favorite time to load-up on calories.

The joy of hummingbird watching

COMPLETE BOOK OF HUMMINGSBIRDS

We live in CTR. BARNSTEAD, N.H. & enjoy the return of a rubythroated hummingbird every summer.We plant lots of flowers they love & have 2 feeders.
It zoomes pass my ear every ear as if to say hello.
We have relatives in Maple, Wi. who have many hummingbirds so we sent them a book for them to enjoy too. Never knew were so many types.

Guide and photographic appreciation
This large-format comprehensive guide to these jewel-like birds found only in the Americas includes gorgeous close-up photographs of birds in flight, feeding, nesting and fighting. Many of the entries are two-page spreads, often featuring more than one photo.

Entries are sub-headed with the Latin name and size of the bird. The text includes distribution, foods, and migration and breeding information, where available.

The entries are preceded by a 49-page lavishly illustrated introduction on the bird's lifecycle, which delves into evolution and backyard feeding (including plants and feeders), and the status and delicacy of scientific research.

Anyone who enjoys marveling at these colorful, antisocial, amazing birds will enjoy this beautifully designed and informative book.

The bulk of the text consists of one-page summaries of individual species, each accompanied by a crystal-clear photograph
Illustrated with stunningly beautiful photography throughout, The Complete Book of Hummingbirds is a detailed guide to well-known species of hummingbirds found throughout the Americas, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska. An introductory section teaches readers about the life cycle of these tiny yet brilliantly plumaged birds, which are heavily dependent on sugary nectar for their survival; of especial interest are the careful instructions for feeding hummingbirds in one's backyard (for example, the sugary feed mixture needs to be changed near-daily to prevent spoilage). The bulk of the text consists of one-page summaries of individual species, each accompanied by a crystal-clear photographic image. One doesn't have to be an avid birdwatcher to enjoy The Complete Book of Hummingbirds, which is highly recommended to individual readers and public library collections alike.
... Read more

Product Description
Covering 31 North American species, with more than 250 color photos and 33 maps, this is the most comprehensive field guide to hummingbirds. Introductory chapters cover the natural history of hummingbirds, ways to attract and feed them, and major hot spots in the United States and Canada for observing these fascinating birds. The 31 color plates illustrate 28 species, 7 hybrid combinations, 3 forms of albinism, and 4 species of sphinx moths often mistaken for hummingbirds. Species accounts provide in-depth information on plumage, molt, songs and calls, wing sounds, similar species, behavior, habitat, distribution, taxonomy, and conservation concerns. Detailed, up-to-date range maps show breeding, non-breeding, and year-round distribution, migration routes, and records outside expected areas of occurrence. For a few widespread migratory species, separate maps illustrate expected spring arrival dates. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

excellent hummingbirdbook
Only one variety of hummingbirds is coming into our area, and I always wanted to know more about them. They are fascinating birds. Well, this is the book, where you find all detailed informations for bird lovers like me. I love it and am happy I purchased it. It's written in langugage understandable to all ages and all broad public.

Not User Friendly
I selected this book because it was a Peterson field guide but am somewhat disappointed.One small change would greatly improve its practicality and convenience - combining the two main sections, Plates and Species Accounts so that all information for each bird is together.The challenge with the current organization is that you look in the plate section to find a bird that looks like the one you're viewing but then have to flip back to look in the species section to determine if the bird is an inhabitant of your location.It's really quite overwhelming.

I ended up buying a second book which I love - it's the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds for Arizona and New Mexico.It's compact, and all info for each bird is together, making it easy to use.Even though it covers more than hummingbirds, because of the tight geographic area, it's a benefit to have many birds that are possibilities and to branch off to other birds - I actually saw a great blue heron at the canal that runs through my neighborhood last week.It's much less complete than the Peterson guide, but it's all I need at this early stage in my birding experience.I also love the checklist section where I can check off birds as I identify them, as well as the color index that gives me a starting point for identifying a bird by the color of its head - mostly black, predominantly green, etc.

Never too much information


I ordered this book along with two others when my grandchildren and I decided we needed more background on the hummingbirds who visit my feeders every day.There is an abundance of wonderful info on the hummingbird types and habitats in this book.The pictures are exceptional.I especially love the small size...making it easy to handle while we're outside.After using the book, we're on the search for a hummingbird nest in our nearby maple tree.It seems to be the place where most of the hummingbirds perch between feedings.The book talks about the nests and how they come back to the same next year after year.Very, very interesting.

If you are buying only one book on hummingbirds, this would be the one to buy.

Avid backyard observer
We just wanted a book to teach us the basics about Hummingbirds & help us to learn one type from the next. This book is working out very well for us so far. Already we have learned that what appeared to be a 'baby' hummingbird with the naked eye, was actually a moth via binoculars and the moth was shown in the book~! The book is well made, very nice pictures, small enough to leave on a kitchen counter or drawer for easy access and user friendly. I recommend this book for anyone looking to learn about Hummingbirds.

well photographed and handsomly laid out book
Great book for learning about these little birds and identifying them. The photographs are nice and help in the identification process along with the wealth of additional information. This book helped me identify more species south of Tucson when I went to photograph and videotape the 10 different varieties near the Mexican border. ... Read more

Product Description
When Noriko and Don Carroll moved from New York City to suburban Las Vegas, they found a tiny nest on a clothesline on their back porch. As the Carrolls settled into their new home, so did a female hummingbird they named Honey. For weeks, the Carrolls watched in fascination as they witnessed an event few humans are privy to-the birth and growth of two hummingbirds.

First Flight is the beautifully photographed story of Honey and her two chicks, Ray and Zen. In over 50 stunning, full-color close-ups, it captures the grace, the beauty, and the simultaneous strength and fragility of one of nature's tiniest birds.

Professional photographer Don Carroll's images of his tiny housemates are woven throughout with Noriko's charming narrative describing the mother bird and her developing brood.

Not just for bird enthusiasts, First Flight is a magical mix of hummingbird field guide, personal story, and new life taking flight. Readers will be captivated by the inherent drama as it unfolds in miniature, and they'll cheer as babies Ray and Zen make their own first flights out into a bright new world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Incredible photography!
This is a wonderful little book. The photographs were awesome - like nothing I've seen before.
It was really good to know that these people (the new owners) who moved into the house cared and did not disturb the nest so that the little hummer could continue to make her nest where she always had before. I found it very moving. It's nice to know that there are people like that out there!

Disney & National Geographic Quality - Plus
Disney & National Geographic Quality - Plus - but only if you are a nature lover that truly appreciates the marvels of creation.Even though this is 5 star top quality, these folks present it as if they were your neighbors.This morning I spotted a hummingbird in my garden feasting on some humingbird flowers I planted and I thought of "Honey" and I need to put up a clothes line somewhere with a clothes pin on it.Be sure to enjoy it all:the book, the video, and the slide show!

First Flight - the book
An excellent account of the hummingbird - egg -> first flight. . . factual but so readable - - with pictures that are astounding.It is a picture book, but the text is engrossing as well.I am giving a copy of this to my young nieces and one to a local elementary school.Yes - it will have to be read to the younger children - from about grade 4 on up, they can read it themselves.But, what a picture book to share - real science, real interest - for ages from young enough to watch a hummingbird fly through seniors with a continuing sense of wonder.

baby hummers are fun
We loved the book. waching our babies hatch and following the book way great fun.

Wonderful Bird's Eye View!
What a wonderful bird's eye view of a hummingbird and her babies!The photography was fantastic - as good as being there myself.Just by reading the first page on Amazon.com, I knew this would be a good book.Thanks. ... Read more

Product Description

Turn your garden into a glorious haven for hummingbirds. Here are the basics on planning, planting, and maintaining a beautiful outdoor space that will lure these tiny creatures and give you hours of gardening pleasure. This charmingly illustrated volume provides a variety of garden plans, including essential information on hardiness zones, soil conditions, and sun and shade preferences, and is packed with facts on the lives and habits of hummingbirds. When your winged guests linger in your garden, you'll delight in consulting the hummingbird identifier in Creating a Hummingbird Garden. Here is everything you need to know to attract hummingbirds, from their favorite flowers to instructions for making hummingbird feeders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

humming birds
if the birds are in your area.this book tells you the plants and flowers to grow to attract them---good book

Great book
Book arrived quickly and in excellent shape for a used book.Very happy with product and service.

Creating a Hummingbird Garden
A great book that I will use this winter as I look forward to planting my flower garden in the spring!

CREATING A HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN
This book came promptly and was in fair condition as stated.
Thanks
Ruth Glenn Little

nice concept, but more of a pamphlet than a book
This is a tiny book, more of a children's book than a resource for serious gardeners.It's attractively designed and laid out, but the informational content is limited.The information on selecting plants for a hummingbird garden is not entirely accurate -- for example, wooly blue curls (trichostema lanatum) are actually not "well-adapted to various soil types".Unfortunately that's almost all the book had to say about this beautiful but temperamental western native, which requires especially well-drained soil.
Part of the problem is that this book doesn't address regional differences.Perhaps it would be suitable for residents of the east coast or Midwest.For residents of western states, I would recommend looking elsewhere, such as books on native plants or the Sunset guide to Western Gardens. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Creative, imaginative and charming
I so enjoyed this story of life in rural Georgia, peppered with Southernisms like double names, night sounds and dirt roads.Particularly liked the secret place in the woodsshared by little friends withthe clever name of Pseudonymphs. This is definitelya time before technology.Children from all parts of this country will identify with this story, so well written by Mrs. Angle who writes of people and places familiar to her.

Response to School Library Journal review
I agree with the reviewer that "the first-person narration never entirely engages readers," however, I think that it is sometimes difficult to be fully drawn in to a child's first-person narrative. Perhaps that is why I felt a lack of wholeness to this book.I wondered from time to time what the book was about.Not being a writing expert, I don't know why I felt that way, but I did think part of the reason was something about the first-person narration.

I disagree entirely with the opinion that "the Southern idioms and cliches are exaggerated."I live and grew up in suburban Atlanta which isn't really like the South compared to the rest of Georgia and I didn't think any of the expressions seemed out of place.In response to the reviewer's criticism of the idioms and cliches I can honestly say, "Huhnuh?" (That isn't a misspelling - it's a little Southern humor for y'all.)

I thought the story was very creative and the writing was beautifully descriptive.I had a perfect picture of March Anne's house, farm, and town in my mind.

I think this is a good book for school-age children and I would recommend it to teachers for use on a required reading list.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
March Anne Tanner has grown up on a watermelon farm in Jubilee, Georgia, raised by her grandma, Grenna, and her father. She doesn't know too much about her ancestors, or rocks, or what to do when Grenna suffers from a heart attack.

The only thing she knows is watermelons. But she soon learns that not everything is expected and sometimes, those things you don't think matter, matter most.

Though you may think so from the summary and title, HUMMINGBIRD is not all about watermelons or even hummingbirds. It's about life, love, loss, and friendship. It's about learning about other people to recognize who you really are.

It's a novel that I absolutely loved with one exception - it drags in the middle. Despite that, though, I definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by:Harmony

excellent reading
This is a very well written, expressive book. the characters are engaging and the story is insightful.

Hummingbird by Kimberly Greene Angle
Twelve-year-old March Anne Tanner has grown up on a farm in Jubilee, Georgia, keenly attuned to nature.Through her eyes we experience the simple majesty of her seasonal life from summertime katydids to a unique gift of a wintertime hummingbird named Zipp. March Anne's life has always been predictable; but as she grows and feels the haunting call of the lonesome train whistle, things are beginning to change.Her grandmother Grenna, the only mother she and her brother have ever known, suffers a debilitating heart attack, and now she must face an inevitable loss.Throughout the summer and winter season, March Anne and her friends Meg and Laverne, otherwise known as the Pseudonymphs, are all edging towards adolescence and are seeking a sense of identity as their lives begin to unfold before them.However, in the midst of turmoil and confusion, March Anne finally heeds the mysterious call of the train whistle and is led to a deeply touching and heartfelt discovery.This book offers both laughter and tears, and through March Anne's journey, the reader experiences a sweet and tender view of life, loss, and grace. A must read for adolescents and adults alike!

... Read more

Product Description
This book is the first ever, comprehensive photographic guide to the identification of all 24 species of hummingbirds to be seen as breeders or vagrants in North America.

For all their startling colors, the speed of hummingbird flight and the often drab coloration of females and immatures make this group especially difficult to deal with in the field. The simple field marks are often poorly lit, hard to spot, or simply not shown by any particular individual under observation. But accurate identification of these popular and beautiful birds brings both real satisfaction and a welcome challenge to most birders.

Steve Howell, a well-known and respected bird tour leader and author, has made a particular study of the finer points of hummingbird recognition and has specially chosen over 200 stunning photographs to complement the information given in his text. Some species feature as many as 14 photographs each. A detailed introduction covers the basics of hummingbird anatomy and plumage variation, allowing the observer to effectively focus on points that are of value in the field. New field marks are provided and old myths dispelled in this ground breaking and essential new guide.

Key Features:

• Contains up to 14 full-color photos for each species, with detailed photo captions
• Detailed introduction covers fundamentals of hummingbird identification, including discussions of anatomy, plumage variation, and molt
• Comprehensive species accounts describe all plumages, compare similar species in depth, and discuss voice, displays, behavior, geographic range, and seasonal distribution
• Emphasizes difficult to identify plumages, such as females and immatures
• Features 200 stunning photos picked specifically to show identification criteria

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent for identification
Excellent description of birds, their sounds and flight characteristics. For true birders an excellent book. For a back yard take pictures guy, I wish it had more about feeders,feeding them, flowers they like and attracting them.

beautiful
i love the pictures in this book.........large and colorful.......the book itself is informative...........we keep it right next to our binoculars.......

Terrific book in every way for identifying and learning about these wonderful birds
I love hummingbirds. I found this book most useful for helping me identify many of the different species of hummingbirds when I went down to photograph and videotape 14 different types south of Tucson. The book has valuable information, brilliant close-up photos and more valuable insights into these birds, habitats and much more. There are many on the market but if you want one for identification and more too this is in my top 3.

Hummingbirds of North America: Photographic Guide
Awesome book. Received quickly and in perfect condition. Thank you so very much!! Peggy Bender

Hummingbirds of North America- Review
Um livro bastante técnico, exelente para biólogos e/ou ornitólogos.As informações são muito completas principalmente no que se refere às variações de plumagens que ocorrem dentro das mesmas espécies( machos, fêmeas e filhotes).Exelentes informações sobre a distribuição geográfica das espécies. ... Read more

Product Description
A surprising and scandalous story of how the interaction within a group of exceptional and uniquely talented characters shaped and changed American thought

At the close of the Civil War, the United States took a deep breath to lick wounds and consider the damage done. A Summer of Hummingbirds reveals how, at that tender moment, the lives of some of our most noted writers, poets, and artists-including Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Martin Johnson Heade-intersected to make sense of it all. Renowned critic Christopher Benfey maps the intricate web of friendship, family, and romance that connects these larger than life personalities to one another, and in doing so discovers a unique moment in the development of American character.

In this meticulously researched and creatively imagined work, Benfey takes the seemingly arbitrary image of the hummingbird and traces its "route of evanescence" as it travels in circles to and from the creative wellsprings of the age: from the naturalist writings of abolitionist Thomas Wentworth Higginson to the poems of his wayward pupil Emily Dickinson; into the mind of Henry Ward Beecher and within the writings and paintings of his famous sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe. A Summer of Hummingbirds unveils how, through the art of these great thinkers, the hummingbird became the symbol of an era, an image through which they could explore their controversial (and often contradictory) ideas of nature, religion, sexuality, family, time, exoticism, and beauty.

Benfey's complex tale of interconnection comes to an apex in Amherst, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1882, a time when loyalties were betrayed and thoughts exchanged with the speed of a hummingbird's wings. Here in the wake of the very public Henry Ward Beecher and Elizabeth Tilton sex scandal, Mabel Loomis Todd-the young and beautiful protŽgŽe to the hummingbird painter Martin Johnson Heade-begins an affair with Austin Dickinson and leaves her mentor heartbroken; Emily Dickinson is found in the arms of her father's friend Judge Otis Lord, and that's not all.

As infidelity and lust run rampant, the incendiary ghost of Lord Byron is evoked, and the characters of A Summer of Hummingbirds find themselves caught in the crossfire between the Calvinist world of decorum, restraint, and judgment and a romantic, unconventional world in which nature prevails and freedom is all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Intriguing history of 19th century literary people
"A Summer of Hummingbirds" is an historical, non-fiction book that is both fascinating and informative.

I LOVE this book to the extent that I am now reading it for the third time!
Christopher Benfey describes the private lives of well-known people: Emily Dickinson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, Martin Johnson Heade (hummingbird artist) and others, whose lives are also connected to these writers and artists.

Benfey focuses on the 1860s (the Civil War Years) and the 1880s to bring to life the people who created great poetry, literary works that reflect those decades, and their shared love of hummingbirds.

I recommend highly "A Summer of Hummingbirds".

"What you didn't learn in High School English..."
What a fascinating review of the "Victorian Period" of American art and letters!
The reader bounces from one "relationship" to another, finding it was a very intimate society. Most of the authors/artists that Benfey writes about are household words, for instance Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, but he includes others who are not quite so familiar, but equally interesting.
Extremely readable and informative.

Smoldering intellects catching fire
It is a little difficult to pin down what "A Summer of Hummingbirds" is.Like the little bird that serves as the central metaphor, the narrative flits about, darting among its "flowers," the artistic and cultural lights of 19th century America, creating a kaleidoscope of their intersecting relationships, influences, work and zeitgeist.The experience of reading it is very much like viewing a large collage comprised of many recognizable individual images and materials, that taken in its entirety is at once abstract yet pleasingly aesthetic.

There are no surprises among the cast of characters Benfey traces through their swirling circles, except the 20th century artist Joseph Cornell who serves as a coda absorbing and releasing the energy of the muses before him.Artist Martin Johnson Heade seems to touch all of the 19th century line-up, including Thomas Higginson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher, Emily Dickinson, Austin Dickinson, Mabel Loomis Todd and Mark Twain.Early in their lives, Lord Byron, slavery and the Civil War inspire meditations on freedom, and Darwin alternately stirs up curiosity about natural phenomenon and challenges to religious belief in the creation story.Hummingbirds turn up everywhere, as images of freedom, images of restless lives, images caught in poetry and on canvas, and as pets and taxidermy specimens.Benfey's subjects are intellects on fire.It is only time before their passions boil over to more physical alliances that seem to coalesce around the summer of 1882, also the year of the transit of the planet Venus.The hermetic Emily Dickinson is engaged, her married brother becomes involved with the also married Mabel Loomis Todd, charismatic preacher Henry Ward Beecher is undone by an extramarrital affair, and the aging Heade who also lusts after Todd finally takes a wife.Meanwhile, America is gradually transformed from a place of ruins and frontier to a developing world stitched together by trains and sporting new luxuries like resorts in Florida.

Benfey stakes a lot on the leitmotif of the hummingbird to impose a narrative structure on what are essentially many concurrent lives on a continuum.For much of the book I was thinking, now which summer is the summer of the title?Much of the action takes place before or overshoots 1882, and it seems that at that point, the arbutus or mayflower has become the symbol of a re-ordering sensuality among this group.Mark Twain is more of a tangential figure, more influenced by the group than a player, and little is made of friendship with Harriet Beecher Stowe in their Hartford days.All that said, it is a pleasant trip following the author around trying to catch his human hummingbirds in a world of slipping paradigms.

a summer reading jewel
Hummingbirds!I would have never thought of them as some kind of ambiguous stand-in for a number of concerns of the period (marital infidelity or bliss, abolitionist arguments of freedom, a hint of tea totaling or the pleasures of a sumptuous life) but I'm sure I'll see them everywhere now.

Benfey provides you with a paragraph or so of Twain, a few stanzas of Dickinson, a painting of Heade and then composes fascinating readings, sensitive of them by combining close analysis and historical detail.His pleasure and enjoyment of these authors and artists is palpable and contagious.

I really appreciate the way this book resists the common urge to treat Dickinson's biography as freakish (the white dresses, the recklessness, etc.).Benfey calls her a "stay-at-home visionary" and points out that "by April 1882, Dickinson could have published a volume of her poems had she wished to do so."

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the way it makes moments of the nineteenth century seem so close to our own experience.Benfey ends a description of the "hotel-world" that Henry Flagler creates: "Guests arrived at the resort in luxury railroad cars designed by Flagler, bearing the same yellow trim--`Flagler Yellow'--as the arches and windows of the hotel.The transition between railroad and hotel was seamless..." Doesn't that just sound like the branded, constructed trip one would get from, say Disney?

Pedestrian
The overall symbol of the hummingbird to describe how America was changing from a staid worldview to a more transient, evanescent one in the Civil and post Civil War period is probably insightful.The author also gives us some biographical details not well known about well known luminaries (and people who would become luminaries) of that period. HOWEVER, his writing is pedestrian and I found the book quite a slog.I'm a huge fan of Emily Dickinson(who knew?) and an admirer of Mark Twain, et al.So, I persevered; but I kept thinking about how dull this English professor's classes must be, despite the interesting subject matter.

I don't think this book would capture/retain the interest of the general reader. ... Read more

Product Description
From Aztec princess to slave and concubine, Hummingbird--or Huitzitzilín in her native Nahuatl--recounts her life during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Expressing a confidence and freedom that women have strived for centuries to attain, Huitzitzilín passionately relates her tale to Father Benito, the priest who seeks to confess and convert her, to offer her an absolution she neither needs nor wants. Instead, she forces him to see the conquest, for the first time, through the eyes of the conquered. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Required Read
I had to read this for a college English class. It is a quick read but very hard to stay interested, and to follow. This is a hard to find book half of my class couldn't find it.I really wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a "just for fun read".

The Spirit rises above defeat
A well paced, evocative novel. Enjoyable reading and a good take on the history of the time.

Have yet to receive the book
I am completely dissappointed with the servcie I have received.I purchased the book with one day delivery and that has been a week ago.I could not find a customer service link so some one could help with this problem.I love Amazon and have bought many things from here but when I pay for next day delivery I expect it to come in less than a week.By the time the book comes my class will be over.

Song of the Hummingbird
This is an excellent book, great reading and an amazing insight to the Aztec Culture and what they went through went Mexico was invaded by the Spanish Conquistadors.

Loved It!!
Great book for any undergraduate Chican@/Latin@ Lit. course! Checkout her other books as well, Dr. Limon is an amazing writer. ... Read more

Product Description
Roll out the welcome mat for butterfles and hummingbirds. Attracting Butterfles and Hummingbirds to Your Backyard reveals the secrets for creating irresistible gardens and a welcoming landscape, which will lure these amazing creatures up close and personal for your enjoyment and wonder. Author Sally Roth knows the best plants, feeders, and water features that appeal to butterflies and hummingbirds, plus she offers an entertaining and insightful guide to butterfly and hummingbird behavior.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

AWESOME
This book is AWESOME!!! Very informative and easy reading for a novice like me. I totally impressed myself when I identified a butterfly last night from what I learned in this book. I have planted many of the flowers suggested and BELIEVE me IT WORKS!!! Butterflies are coming! So much fun to see and watch.

butterflies and humming birds
what to plant to attract these pretty creatures to your garden. 2 years ago had 6 butterflies and 0 humming birds. planted some of the plants and flowers. to many butterflies to count and really colorful ones and now have a family of humming birds year around

great
great book, beautiful pictures and discriptions and lots of great information in an easy to read format

great book
Great book for those interested in starting a butterfly/hummingbird gardens.Some of the written text is a little difficult to read.Recommended for the beginner!!

Butterfliesand Hummingbirds
Thisbookisabeauitful learning tool and is sowelldone with illustrations. Adefinite buy. ... Read more

Product Description
The Hummingbird's Journey to God San Pedro, a visionary and hallucinogenic brew derived from the mescaline-based Trichocereus pachanoi or 'cactus of vision', is one of Peru's most important and powerful teacher plants. For thousands of years this brew has been drunk by spiritual seekers and those who need healing, and it has cured a wide variety of physical problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

San Pedro and Us
Ross Heaven is the author of "Plant Spirit Shamanism", "Vodou Shamanism", and many other books on the subject. A psychologist, healer, and founder of the Four Gates Foundation he is an expert on the teachings and healing practices of indigenous wisdom. I was particularly interested in this book not because of my my previous knowledge of his work, but that there are very few books in the market on the plant teacher cactus called San Pedro, or Wachuma.

Heaven gives a nice, easy-to-read account of the history, use, and healing philosophy behind San Pedro. What makes the book engaging is his expressive opinions on certain ritualistic practices, though he is quick to encourage everyone to discover what is right for them: traditional or non-traditional practices, wherever San Pedro guides you. He also includes a very interesting chapter on psychosomatic illness. Excellent stuff!

I usually like to pick a quote out of the book I am reviewing that best encapsulates the overall atmosphere of the work: "San Pedro is another route to opening the door behind which our true capabilities have been locked away by our culture." Heaven eloquently examines the conflicts arising from the Western perspective of the natural world and how San Pedro's teachings are applied. A very relevant discussion to be had in this day and age.

A really eccentric book
i briefly glanced at this book, and i think describes the title in words they best it could, but then again i didn't read it, but i plan to

A wonderful plant medicine book!
If you are interested in information about South American plant medicine delivered in an informative manner, which captivates the reader, you will want this book in your personal library.As I read this book I was drawn in like it was a novel rather than non-fiction.I loved it!I found the personal interviews and stories very interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
Hummingbirds are a favorite subject for carvers because of their delightful form and bright flashing colors. This guide combines information on these birds-their anatomy, habits, and habitats-with a detailed tutorial on how to carve and paint them. Techniques, tools, and wood selection are all covered, as is the creation of the flowers, vines, and branches needed to place them in their natural settings. ... Read more

Product Description
A bandit and a gentleman both vie for the heart of pretty Abigail McKenzie--and force her to make a choice that no woman should ever have to make...

This New York Times Bestselling Author... "will leave you breathless!" (Affaire de Coeur)

"An enthralling book, with a love story as feisty and romantic as a Tracy/Hepburn movie."--Lisa Gregory

"Bawdy, witty, touching, delightful."--Francine Rivers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

Very very amusing ! Jesse The Menace
My 1st Lavyrle Spencer's and I can't praise this book high enough. WOW ! Definitely 10* for me. I enjoy it immensely, truly truly immensely.
With a Florence Nightingale's theme, this book has a very witty dialogue (amusing quarrel), set me in deep commotion, and a dreaming ending. Should be better ending than A Kingdom of Dream by Judith McNaught, as one of my fav book.

If I have to compare its witty dialoque, I remember "The viscount who love me" by Julia Quinn which has the same capacity with this book. Maybe this book is funnier.
I like Ms. Spencer's style, she delivery the story and romance very in detail. I shall check her other book then...perhaps I interest with "Years", and "The Endearment".

Thank you Ms. Spencer for writting such a wonderful book!

Great Book but Annoying heroine.
I was staying with my grandmother this past weekend and didnt have anything to read so I looked through her bookshelves and found this book. I wasnt expecting much at all but was definitely surprised. It was a very good book. I am an avid reader and I believe Jesse is one of my top five heros. I just fell in love with him.
I gave this book 4/5 stars. It was a great read, I had started reading it Sunday morning and just could not put it down, I found myself reading this book on the way home. I have two problems : Abbie and David, well mostly Abbie. For me she is was cost the book the perfect rating. Dont get me wrong she had good points in the book i just had a couple problems. At the start of the book I liked her, I thought she was strong and independent and a great match for Jesse. Then when she found out David was in town after her and Jesse's night together she acted like Jesse forced her to have sex. SHE was the one who came onto him and SHE is the one who wouldnt listen when he said to go back to bed NUMEROUS times. Yes he knew David was coming but so what. I think he was already in love with her when they had sex. Jesse was so sweet the morning after and she again acted like he seduced her not the other way around. Also David was obviously no match for Abbie at all from the beginning. He was just not man enough especially after Jesse Dufrayne. Abbie kept comparing the two and David was always wanting, hello.. and even when Jesse came back she wasnt going to admit that she loved him and was going to go ahead and marry David all because she actually felt like part of the community. I literally talked to the book at about this point of the book. I just wanted to smack Abbie.
I'll stop now and sorry if this looks like a bad review, it isnt its a really good book and I would recommend it to my friends but give a little warning Abbie is very annoying.

Abuse as Foreplay? No Thanks!
I enjoyed Spencer's "Years" and I looked forward to reading this one.However, I really found the themes distasteful.Being verbally abused and being forced to kiss someone at gun point is not foreplay.I couldn't continue after that scene.If a man ever treated me this way, I would run far, far away, and never look back.The myth that bad boys are bad only because of past bad experiences but become good because of the love of a good woman tells woman to tolerate rude, offensive, and even abusive behavior.Skip this book if you have any self respect!

Worth all the trouble!
Let me tell you what I went through to get this book! I usually get most of my historical romances at the thrift store, but I alway pass up this book every time I saw it. I just didn't want to read it for some reason, but then I read an awesome review and wanted to read it desperately! So, I went back to the thrift store and it was gone, of course, went to another one and it was no longer there. I was soo frustated, but it was my fault! I then went to all Barnes and Nobles stores, Borders, but no luck, it was out of print!!! Then I just ordered it and had to wait a few days! I finally got to read it and it was well worth the wait and trouble!! I loved the book! I read The Gamble first, so the style of writing was a little different, more fast paced, more tension btw the h/h but just as wonderful! I laughed many times throughout the book, you will have to read it to really love it!! And if you see this book in the thrift store or any store, just get it!!!

A thin line between love and hate.....
This is the first book by Lavyrle Spencer that I've ever read.I'm a long time romance reader, but I incorrectly got the impression that Spencer's work was "old".I remember seeing a book of hers that my grandma was reading when I was in Jr High.The image stuck with me, so I haven't until now, given her the "respect" that she so obviously deserves.

Hummingbird was so many things.....It was very funny yet it dealt with serious emotions.It was very fictional yet it also felt very real. I really can't say enough about it.

I'm not going to rehash the plot but I'll give you my two cents on what I loved about this book.
1.The witty bantering and fighting that exists between Abigail and Jesse is some of the funniest and best that I've ever read.They truly dislike each other at times....or at least it seemed that way.....
2.Jesse is a hero I love because he brings out the very best, and worst, of Abigail.He encourages her to be herself and not what her parents and the town expects her to be.Her gradual liberation is so good to see.
3.The love triangle between Jesse, Abigail, and Mark was the low point of the book.It really wasn't a triangle at all...there was no contest...Abigail and Jesse were destined to be.

Read this book....despite the fact that your grandma may have read it!
IT IS TIMELESS! ... Read more

Product Description

Hummingbirds is a wonderfully compelling novel about the intertwining and darkly surprising relationships at the elite Carmine-Casey School for Girls on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where the rivalries and secrets of teachers and students intersect and eventually collide.

Customer Reviews (10)

Book in great condition.
The book came on time and in the new-like condition as promised. I bought it to replace a library book that I lost. Good novel by the way!

Diffuse in style and content
Stuck in an awkward, adolescent phase are the students of this book, some of its adult characters and, indeed, the novel itself.It's an awkward, gawky read, not really a book of related short stories yet so slow and meandering as a novel that it fails to carry any dramatic momentum.Plot lines, such as they are, disappear arbitrarily (as, for example, the main male character's flirtatious visits to a colleague's home) or take forever to crest and peak.The central incident of the story, a love affair, has its ramifications lazily contemplated by all three participants; they're either too modern or desiccated to have real passions, yet they ponder the act intellectually forever.It's like being taught Romeo & Juliet by someone who was never in love.Spoiler alert:A teacher makes love with a student who is seen by someone coming out of the teacher's apartment late at night.There's never a question as to who the "someone" is:another student, an adult, who?

Stylistically the book is just as frustrating.For every well-turned phrase - and they are here - there are those that are turgid and feel false.Asked to describe their situation, one English teacher says to another it's "adumbrated."If anyone doesn't use that word in normal conversation, it's one English teacher to another for risk of being labeled, well, sesquipedalian.Stranger still are the musings of the student girls who sound nothing at all like my own high school daughter or her friends.

But again, the book fails because its stories are flat.Numerous intertwining tales make Trollope and Dickens what they are, but each story has a real dramatic arc.Here the effect of so many tepid tales is, paradoxically, to make the book that much more impenetrable.

Girls Will Be Girls--And Men Will Be Boys
In his sophomore novel //Hummingbirds//, New York author and girls' prep school teacher Joshua Gaylord introduces his readers to the world of Carmine-Casey School for Girls. At Carmine-Casey, the schoolyard dramas of teenage experience play out through diverse and privilegedstudents, and the teachers who impact their lives. And in some cases their fantasies.

The novel's protagonist, Leo Binhammer, comfortable with his role as Resident Dreamboat Teacher at Carmine-Casey has his life quickly turned upside down when a new male teacher, the charming and hilariously named Ted Hughes, seizes some of his fan base. Binhammer soon learns he and Hughes have shared more than just students.

As a novel about male teachers in an all-girls prep school, it would be very easy for //Hummingbirds// to slip into some sort of stereotypical male fantasy about short skirts and bubblegum, but Joshua Gaylord manages the subject--and even broaches the topic of teacher-student flirtation and intimacy--without pandering to convention or cheapening his story or characters. What the book offers is a glimpse of some imperfect, but believable, characters and situations--and, while it may sound simple, in the case of //Hummingbirds//, that's a lot.

Reviewed by Ashley McCall

An incredible debut novel
Hummingbirds reads like a modern American version of a Dickens novel, with its omniscient narration encompassing a broad cast of characters from different walks of life (i.e. teachers and students).And like the best literature, Gaylord's novel immerses the reader in another world--in this case, the world of the upper-crust Manhattan prep school.The Carmine-Casey School for Girls is so richly described, it feels more like a central character than a mere setting.Gaylord obviously possesses an intimate knowledge of the world of which he writes, but even more impressively, he exhibits a firm grasp of human nature.Hummingbirds is at once poignant and slyly humorous (a scene late in the novel involving spray-painted graffiti is ourageously funny).This is an amazing work of literary fiction, one that I cannot recommend highly enough--to teachers, high school/college students, and anyone interested in delving into the mystery and wonder of male-female relationship.But hey, don't take my word for it.Click on the "Look Inside" button above, and read Gaylord's opening chapter for yourself.I defy you not to get hooked by the novel's seductive prose.

Hummingbirds
Leo Binhammer is an English instructor at Carmine-Casey Academy, a private high school for girls. Adored and admired, Leo finds great contentment and solace in his profession as the only male teacher in the English department, doting girls following his every move. But Leo's world is disrupted when, one day, a charismatic new teacher named Ted Hughes arrives. This teacher is also a young and attractive man, and although he is friendly and amiable, Leo begins to feel displaced from his high perch at the school when the girls begin to notice and appreciate the attractive newcomer. As Leo learns to adjust to his new circumstances, life continues on at school and complexities and rivalries crop up in not only the students' lives, but in the teachers' as well. Leo and Ted become unlikely friends and Leo begins to unwittingly uncover all the many secrets and intrigues that Ted has kept hidden. Wryly amusing and stylistically deft, Hummingbirds is a cautionary and provocative tale about the overly fragile egos of two very educated men.

I really enjoyed this book, and for the most part, I would have to say that it was extremely well crafted. I was impressed with the author's writing style. It was very fluid and engaging, and in addition, most of the writing was very witty and humorous. The author seemed really adept at creating humorous situations and dialogue that really made the story sparkle and sizzle. Other sections of the book were written a bit like prose: great imagery and succinct word choices that made an impact without being overbearing. The writing struck the perfect balance for me by being neither too sparse nor too wordy, and instead I felt that the author was able to capture the emotions and conundrums of his characters perfectly. The narrative was told through several points of view, but these shifts were handled very solidly and without a lot of confusion, making the multiple narrator strategy very successful.

The story actually had three subplots: two involving the teachers, and one involving the students. It was very amusing to see that the teachers and staff had more drama and intrigue going on than the students did and that they handled their dramas with much more immaturity and snark than a group of teenage girls ever could. Though the story that focused on the students was interesting and involving, I thought that the grist behind the teachers' escapades was much more satisfying to me personally. I think on the whole, the story was integrated very well, with neither side dominating the limelight excessively.

I also thought that all of the characterizations were done very well and were remarkably detailed, though my favorite was the exasperated Binhammer, who sometimes could be a bit churlish when it came to his waning popularity. The author really had the knack for crating well rounded three dimensional characters, and I thought that he was quite brilliant in his creations of the schoolgirls. He managed to capture all the innocence and seductiveness that was teetering on the edge of their femininity remarkably well, and it was not hard at all to take them seriously as both girls and women due to their expert creation.

The only part of the book that I took exception to was the ending. Up until the last section of the book, I was happily reading along and spending most of my mental energy in being impressed by the author's turn of phrase or expert scene creation. I was completely taken by surprise by the turn the book took towards the end, and the main thing that bothered me was not the direction that the action took in the story, but the way the characters reacted to it. I don't want to say too much about the plot twist because I fear I will be giving too much away to those that are going to read the book, but after a certain point, I didn't think that the reactions of the surrounding characters were very realistic, especially in the case of Binhammer. It was almost as if he changed some of the fundamental aspects of his character. After examining it more closely, I also draw the conclusion that perhaps the reader doesn't know the true Binhammer until the ending of the book, and that these revelations about his character had always been there just waiting to be exposed under the right circumstances. Whatever the case may be, I felt that the ending left me a little bewildered, if not taken aback. I don't think that my bewilderment at the conclusion of the book drastically affected my enjoyment of it, and to a certain degree, I think it may have changed or even enriched the complexity of the story, so I can't really say that the ending was a disappointment. Rather I will say that I think it was a little unexpected and made me reshape the terms under which I was reading.

There were a lot of wonderful aspects to this story and I think that if you are the type of person to appreciate witty and satirical writing, this is definitely the book for you. The plot and character creation were first rate, as was the smooth writing. This is not only a great book to lose yourself in, it is a book that will make you think and evaluate the power of interpersonal relationships. A great read.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Hum-dinger of a Book!
Not only is the photography wonderful but the information provided about these amazing little birds is meaningful and well presented.A must have for anyone who loves Hummingbirds, even if one has no intention of ever making a visit to Texas.Just fab!

Fabulous
I first got this book from the library and was so impressed that I wanted one for myself. It describes so many different hummers (with amazing photos) even though it says they are only ones that come to TX, NM, and AZ. Many are described also that just rarely have made an appearance. It also includes information regarding the places for hummer lovers to go and see mass # of birds, the photos throughout are astounding, and it tells ways to become a hummingbird counter in your own backyard. One book I will cherish.

Hummingbirds
This is a beautiful book full of interesting information and lovely pictures.I am enjoying the hummingbirds who visit us much more since I read the book.

Good for beginners
Loved this book, was informative with general info, not so much that you are overwhelmed.Just sorry to learn that East Texas is home to only one specific hummingbird.But now I am prepared to know if we get visitors.Had best year yet for hummers...love them

Fantastic
My wife and I enjoy watching the hummingbirds through our front window and I decided to find a reference book on the little birds so we could see what kinds shared our front yard.
I was amazed to find so much information in one small book about hummingbirds and so many beautiful pictures to help identify them.There is information about their nesting, eating, migrations and tips to help encourage the birds to share your yard.It is also amazing that because of their extreme need for high energy food and the scarcity of nectar, they are born to be very aggressive to protect their sources.
The author did us all a great favor in writing this book.I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to watch hummingbirds ... Read more

Product Description
The Stokes Beginner's Guides, intended for beginning nature lovers of all ages, offer a wealth of identification and behavior information in a portable pocket-sized format. Illustrated throughout with full-color photographs and range maps, each Beginner's Guide is organized according to the Stokes' easy-to-use and popular color-tab system. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Easy little reference
I got an Oasis feeder (Perky Pet 221 Hummingbird Oasis Feeder, 16 oz capacity) (which I strongly endorse) for our balcony and we've had a steady stream of little guys coming by for a few months now. It didn't take long after the the traffic started that we were noticing many different types of hummingbirds, so it seemed only right to try and figure out who these freeloaders were.

I ordered this for my wife not really thinking it would be anything more than a nice gesture, but she's jumped on it like I never expected. She leaves it next to the patio door so that when we spot a bird at the feeder, she can go close, grab the book and make an ID. Actually, more often (since I have better eyes), she's often rattling off attributes for me to spot. Working together, we're usually able to track down the species within about thirty seconds, which must be some kind of testament to the book's ease of use when identifying by characteristic. Even better, once we think we've narrowed it down, there are plenty of vivid pictures of male, female, and juvenile examples of each species.

Little extras like the maps of each species' distribution are nice so we don't do something silly like assume we're seeing a bird that belongs in Maine hanging out at our feeder in California. And though not extensive, the book does pack a bunch of tidbits into each section, such as which species might dominate others when claiming turf at a feeder or suggesting flowers that will lure more birds into your yard.

I actually started this review giving it four stars, then realized just how much is packed into this little reference at a good price, if that's any indication of how helpful it is.

Wonderful Book
This book is worth getting for the pictures alone, stunning in detail and glorious of color. Most of the book gives information about the various types of hummingbirds, almost none of which we'll ever see here in the East other than the ruby throated. For those of you on the other coast, it may be useful for identification of backyard sightings. ... Read more