Product Description
A step-by-step guide to writing and managing the writer's life covers each portion of a written project, addresses such concerns as writer's block and getting published, and offers awareness and survival tips. Reprint. Tour. K. NYT. Amazon.com Review
Think you've got a book inside of you? Anne Lamott isn'tafraid to help you let it out. She'll help you find your passion andyour voice, beginning from the first really crummy draft to thepeculiar letdown of publication. Readers will be reminded of theenergizing books of writer Natalie Goldberg and will be seduced byLamott's witty take on the reality of a writer's life, which haslittle to do with literary parties and a lot to do with jealousy,writer's block and going for broke with each paragraph.Marvelouslywise and best of all, great reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (372)

I wish i had written this book
I started writing the following review when i was only halfway through Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life:

This book doesn't have anything to offer a seasoned writer, such as -- me, for instance.And it always rankles to hear a far more successful writer, someone who had an agent before even writing her first novel because her father was a writer, bitch and moan about the vagaries of writing life.

Then i read her brilliant chaper on jealousy, which begins with:

"Jealousy is such a direct attack on whatever measure of confidence you've been able to muster.But if you continue to write, you are probably going to have to deal with it, beacuse some wonderful, dazzling successes are going to happen for some of the most awful, angry, undeserving writers you know -- people who are, in other words, not you."

Not that i wasn't laughing up to this point, but she had me there, and it only gets funnier.Here's her advice on avoiding the accusation of libel: "Give him a penis that looks like a tiny egg in a bird's nest.He isn't going to come forward."

Lamott's not only funny.She's also profound.In fact, there are so many moments of profundity, things i'm sure will resonate with my fellow writers, that i had trouble chosing just this one: "One can find in writing a perfect focus for life.It offers challenge and delight and agony and commitment.We see our work as a vocation, with the potential to be as rich and enlivening as the priesthood."

I went from really not wanting to like this book to thinking i could have written it.But, of course, i didn't.I can only give it five stars.

BORN WRITERS...
I enjoyed this book. It felt more like a collection of essays than a chronological piece. Lamott offers encouragement but also lets one see just how difficult it can be to be a writer. Reading her tales of misfortune and misfire were inspiring; even people who are "born" writers are not necessarily born writers. Her narrative showed that it takes effort and dedication no matter how much one likes to write.

I found this book inspiring. Also, she's quite funny at times.

Provides vibrant personal insight into the mystic art of fiction, highly recommended
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life is vibrant and honest sermon on what writing fiction means for the author.As the title suggests, it also provides valuable perspective on the rewards of writing for the perseverant and conscientious student of the art.The book strays away from specific exercises, shortcuts, or writing "secrets" that seem to predominate this genre.And, having read and perused many of selections on this topic, this book shines with authenticity and true insight.The message is both empowering and personal - the reading here feels more like a personal conversation that a how-to style textbook.It's funny, though not always cheerful, and provides a wealth of inspiration and encouragement for the beginning writer.This book will remain on my shelf always.

from a painters point of view
I heard Anne Lamotte in an interview on public radio years ago.I started listening in the middle of the interview and I had no idea who she was or the topic.For 15-20 minutes I thought this woman was a painter!As she talked about the creative process and described staring at an expanse of white...I thought she was referring to a canvas.I bought the book and in my humble opinion it is a great guide for creative individuals for many media.I have recommended this book to my students since its publication, I keep the book in my studio and there are many notes written in the margins.I reread it from time to time and still find it a wonderful guide to my own artwork.Not everyone is magically swept away by the muse; many times the creative process is difficult and painful.This book was a validation that my own struggles were not unusual or a sign of a significant problem with my work, this is just the way I work.The creative process she describes may not be for everyone, but it is certainly worth a look.

I loved this book.
A fantastic book that, unlike other writing books, doesn't read as condescending advice, more like wisdom handed down from an entertaining, self-depricating friend. Amusing, entertaining and inspiring ... what more could you ask for in a book? ... Read more

Product Description
Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age–and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns about love for herself and the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a modern American classic that will touch hearts and change minds for as long as people read.Amazon.com Review
In this first of five volumes of autobiography, poet MayaAngelou recounts a youth filled with disappointment, frustration,tragedy, and finally hard-won independence. Sent at a young age tolive with her grandmother in Arkansas, Angelou learned a great dealfrom this exceptional woman and the tightly knit black communitythere. These very lessons carried her throughout the hardships sheendured later in life, including a tragic occurrence while visitingher mother in St. Louis and her formative years spent inCalifornia--where an unwanted pregnancy changed her lifeforever. Marvelously told, with Angelou's "gift for language andobservation," this "remarkable autobiography by an equally remarkableblack woman from Arkansas captures, indelibly, a world of which mostAmericans are shamefully ignorant." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (331)

A Gift For My Mother
My Mother had asked me for the book, I looked it up here on Amazon and it was sent to her in mint condition. She loves this book dearly...

Maya Angelou
I bought the book used and it came promptly and was in good condition. I would use this seller again.

Can't finish it!
This is one book I cannot even finish.I do not like Maya's writing style at all.She seems to repeat herself, at least in the first part of the book.I do not recommend it at all.

No problems
I received the book is great time and it was in great shape. Nice price too. No problems with order

Absolutely beautiful
I normally don't go for nonfiction. I had previously read sections of this books for some of my classes in college, but never read the whole thing. After reading it though I'm wondering why it took me so long. This book is really amazing and the way that Angelou writes is wonderfully refreshing. I thought the ending was great and fit perfectly with her style. She has this fabulous way of writing that is both wonderfully poetic and yet manages to smack you in the face in a tell it like it is sort of way. Anyway, this book is definitely worth reading even if you don't normally read nonfiction. Her story seemed to me to be about how important the relationships in your life are. Through every place she lived, Maya had those people in her life that influenced her for good or bad. Anyway, you should read this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Japan's most highly regarded novelist now vaults into the first ranks of international fiction writers with this heroically imaginative novel, which is at once a detective story, an account of a disintegrating marriage, and an excavation of the buried secrets of World War II.

In a Tokyo suburb a young man named Toru Okada searches for his wife's missing cat.Soon he finds himself looking for his wife as well in a netherworld that lies beneath the placid surface of Tokyo.As these searches intersect, Okada encounters a bizarre group of allies and antagonists: a psychic prostitute; a malevolent yet mediagenic politician; a cheerfully morbid sixteen-year-old-girl; and an aging war veteran who has been permanently changed by the hideous things he witnessed during Japan's forgotten campaign in Manchuria.

Gripping, prophetic, suffused with comedy and menace, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a tour de force equal in scope to the masterpieces of Mishima and Pynchon.Amazon.com Review
Bad things come in threes for Toru Okada.He loses his job, his catdisappears, and then his wife fails to return from work. His search for his wife (and hiscat) introduces him to a bizarre collection of characters, including twopsychic sisters, a possibly unbalanced teenager, an old soldier whowitnessed the massacres on the Chinese mainland at the beginning of theSecond World War, and a very shady politician.

Haruki Murakami is a master of subtly disturbing prose. Mundane eventsthrob with menace, while the bizarre is accepted without comment.Meaning always seems to be just out of reach, for the reader as well as forthe characters, yet one is drawn inexorably into a mystery that may haveno solution. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is an extended meditationon themes that appear throughout Murakami's earlier work. The tropesof popular culture, movies, music, detective stories, combine to create awork that explores both the surface and the hidden depths of Japanesesociety at the end of the 20th century.

If it were possible to isolate one theme in The Wind-Up BirdChronicle, that theme would be responsibility. The atrocitiescommitted by the Japanese army in China keep rising to the surface like arepressed memory, and Toru Okada himself is compelledby events to take responsibility for his actions and struggle with hisessentially passive nature. If Toru is supposed to be a JapaneseEveryman, steeped as he is in Western popular culture and ignorant ofthe secret history of his own nation, this novel paints a bleakpicture. Like the winding up of the titular bird, Murakami slowlytwists the gossamer threads of his story into something of considerableweight. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Customer Reviews (324)

Nice Read
This is a pleasant read.Still its not the greatness of what Murakami has been known to achieve.Probably a tad bit overrated in my book.Some of the stuff the author puts in here seems so out of place you wonder what the hell he was doing?Murakami slightly off his best aim is still far better than most of the written crap out of there.Pretty good stuff.

Form without structure
After a promising beginning, I experienced this book as being tedious and meaningless.

I had read nothing by Murikami before, but selected the book based on its positive reviews.I also listened to a sample of the prose on Audible, and thought that, (even in translation), Murikami has a great gift for narrative description of everyday events.

The opening chapters describing Toru and Kumiko's relationship and situation seemed to deal with some interesting general questions pertaining to personal identity and gender relations in modern society.I was hopeful that Murikami might have something interesting to say along these lines.

Then I was very pleasantly surprised by the story of Honda and Mamiya in Manchukuo.This brief segment of the book I thought was masterfully-written.

However after Kumiko's departure my experience of the book began to go seriously downhill.Rather than deal intimately with the issues already raised in any meaningful way, new characters began to be introduced about who and whose world's we are told virtually nothing, and whose relationships to normal reality could not intelligibly be discerned.

The book reminded me of much modern art, which although popular and praised by the "in people", really boils down in my view to merely a sort of juvenile egocentricism.

Murikami spins out his yarn on and on with unreal characters and events, until he eventually decides to tell us in an expository way what it all meant, which was in brief that Toru and Kumiko were ok but the hitherto rather minor character of Noboru Wataya was on the psychic plane the cause of all the problems.

Admittedly in real life problems can emanate in broad circles from people who are essentially evil, but if it were Murikami's intent to present this reality in literary form, it did not work for me.

Alternatively one might think about the book in terms of the characters who, quite the contrary to Noboru Wataya, were supposed to be the most highly-evolved and psychically-advanced life forms, such as Malta Kana, Creta Kana, Nutmeg and increasingly as the book went on - Toru himself.What was Murikami trying to say about real life through these characters, who were essentially psychic-super-people?

Dunno.But it all felt kind of new-agey and empty to me.

It's easy but not very satisfying to the reader to create such sharply contrasted worlds of virtuous people and villainous people.But I'm not sure if it has much to contribute on a literary level to our shared understanding of human life - when one eventually returns, (as one must eventually return), to the rather mundane level of every day life in a world of unemployed lawyers and troubled marriages - -i.e. the reality in which after all we must all learn to sink or swim.

So going back to the title of this review, "form without structure", I think that Murikami failed in this book, at least for me, because he allowed himself to create so many fantastical characters and events, without simultaneously imposing any overriding structure on the fantastical world he had created.

Almost perfect, but...
I'm loving this great novel, but along with that and not trying to sound too picky: I have found two "errors" or please someone tell me if I'm wrong... First is at the begining (first 4-5 chapters) after it's stated and clear that the cat is lost, like 30 pages later Okada narrates about the cat as if it would be with him... (Might be a matter of translation of course...) and the second is: the story is situated in 1984 and when Murakami writes about Okada and Kumiko using a computer chat... well, chat and internet developed properly until the end of the eighties-early nineties, right? I'd wish to be wrong, otherwise is PERFECT! So perfect that these 2 issues jumped out to me... but, however read it, you will not regret, a future classic indeed.

Surreal, compelling, and powerful
My first encounter with murakami was with his short stories in the New Yorker magazine, which have been published as a collection in "The Elephant Vanishes".Some of his stories (like "The Second Bakery Attack") were so good that I had to read more.This was my first full length Murakami novel, and I am so glad I found it!

Overall, the plot was really compelling and suspenseful, which built up a powerful tension through most of the story. One unusual event leads to another until things have changed so much since the beginning of the story that it almost seems like a different story halfway through.

Additionally, Murakami's ability to describe a scene is captivating. In this book, this ability manifests itself in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, there are many unusual scenarios and places that the author describes vividly in a way that really brings the story alive.

On the other hand, the long beautiful descriptions of the scenes and characters made me really impatient at times when the tension of the plot was building, wishing that he'd get on with the story. This is not really a complaint, but merely a recognition of the tension Murakami succeeded in building with his mysterious and beautiful world.

My only reservation in recommending this to all comers is that the style of the story is very unusual with its gruesome tangents, weird characters, multiple story arcs, and mutable reality. I can imagine that some folks would get frustrated by these things.However, for me and the people I have recommended it to the unusualness of the story and the realism of the characters all made the book even more appealing.

very happy
I received my purchase in a timely fashion, and it was in very good condition. Can't ask for more. Thanks! ... Read more

Product Description

Take–no–prisoners deal–maker Sean O’Banyon ate Wall Street financiers for lunch. So why was he losing sleep over a fresh–scrubbed nurse in old jeans and a too–big T–shirt? Maybe it was those warm green eyes. Or the way she blushed when he got personal. There was no denying the serious chemistry between them. But sooner or later Lizzie would learn his deep, dark secrets: First, he had trust issues. And second—he’d rather not go into the whole family thing. He didn’t do relationships…but amazingly, Lizzie made him want one anyway.

Customer Reviews (13)

a surprisingly nice Silhouette
The first story in a trilogy about the O'Banyon brothers I was charmed by how good it was.Jessica Bird, aka J.R. Ward, gives warmth to her characters.I started this late one evening and finished by early the next day.And yes, I did get some sleep.It has a troubled alpha male and a heroine who is thoughtful of others and cherishes Sean for who he is without all the glamor.

Sean O'Banyon is the go-to guy, a wonder among Wall Street, the man with the answers.He is about to complete a big deal when he gets a phone call informing his father has just died.Flooding him immediately all the insecurities from his boyhood resurface.

Lizzie Bond is a young nurse who is employed in South Boston. She lives in a duplex owned by one Eddie O'Banyon who she has befriended.Caring for others is part of her nature and she had developed a relationship with him so it is a wonder why he never mentioned he had some sons.It also makes her wonder why none of them ever visited Eddie while he was alive.Lizzie and Sean are attracted to each other, but his past left him bitterly scarred and he has great difficulty trusting anyone.

Sean and his boyhood is the core of this story.Lizzie tries to fill in the gaps because Sean is tight-lipped about his childhood.At the same time she is unaware that she is chipping at the wall that Sean has slowly built around himself.Trust is a big issue and though he is very successful he still is insecure in some ways and has his doubts. Sean develops feelings toward Lizzie and they both alarm and comfort him.Besides trying to figure out what Sean has gone through she is unaware that he is a powerhouse on Wall Street.She is unfamiliar with his notoriety and influence.

Of course there is the 'Big Misunderstanding' but the story needed it to flesh out some issues.Lizzie also has problems from her childhood and Ms. Bird did a wonderful job of showing the reader how a person's past can take you into different directions when you reach adulthood.I borrowed this book from the library but now I want it for my keeper shelf.If you want to read a great contemporary romance about healing relationships try THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR.You will glad you did.

THE WARDen SHINES THROUGH IN A GREAT ROMANCE
THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR was written in 2007 and has a noticeably darker tone than Jessica Bird's other contemporary romances (The Moorehouse Legacy) This could be because Bird was already writing as JR Ward and 2 books into her Black Dagger Brotherhood series when she wrote this and it shows, in a great way. Including a flashback moment where we're given a squeal worthy glimpse of Butch O'Neil as a young boy. Without comparing the two this is a great romance that hooked me from page one with original characters, a moving storyline and (wow this is Harlequin?) scorching hot love scenes.

Sean O'Banyon as our tortured alpha-male hero (love that combination) comes from an abused childhood and has spent his life trying to not only forget where he comes from but overachieving to compensate for it. He is now a ruthless Wall Street business mogul who most financiers fear and is worth a cool billion and change. When Sean's father dies he's forced to go back to South Boston and deal with the details, back to a place that he and his brothers had promised each other they'd never return to again, their childhood home.

Lizzie Bond is an ER nurse who for the last couple of years has rented the ground floor apartment of Eddie O'Banyons duplex. During that time the two formed a friendship and as the lonely old mans health began to fail Lizzie found herself taking over more and more of his homecare duties as he didn't appear to have any close family.

When our couple meet there's no denying the instant chemistry between them however that's the only thing that is undeniable; Lizzie's doesn't know that Sean's loaded and while he's enjoying this anonymity he's also trying to figure out if she was after his father's money and not break his confirmed-bachelor code of ethics. Because Sean doesn't let women in, he doesn't trust them and he certainly doesn't ever allow himself to wake up beside them in the morning. Its just that the nightmares have returned and she's right downstairs.

What a great read my only disappointment would be that Bird (thus far) hasn't completed this series. Leaving me hanging with a great introduction and already formed attachment to Sean's super yummy and mysterious brothers, Damn.

LOVE!
JR Ward (aka `Jessica Bird') wrote `The billionaire next door' in 2007, the same year that `Lover Revealed' (Butch's story) and `Lover Unbound' (Vishous's book) came out.

`Billionaire next door' definitely has all the romantic characteristics we've come to expect from JR Ward. Strong Alpha male with a fractured background. Angelic heroine who pulls the hero out of his drudgery. And of course, hot sex scenes. I wasn't actually expecting such explicit sex because the book was published by Harlequin Silhouette, and for some reason I have this idea that Harlequin romance books are a little tame when it comes to the nitty gritty. The sex scenes aren't as hot and heavy as they are in the `Blackdagger' books (not so many dirty detailed descriptions - damn!) but they are sizzling and definitely add spark to Sean and Lizzie's romance.

`Billionaire next door' reminded me quite strongly of Rehvenge's book `Lover Avenged'. Rehvenge and Sean are both rich, successful Alpha males who had abusive childhoods. Elena and Lizzie are both nurses, currently experiencing tough financial times by being their single-parents soul providers - Elena's father had a form of Alzheimer's, while Lizzie's mother has some sort of mental disability. For a good portion of the book Sean keeps secret his true career and financial success from Lizzie, for a plethora of reasons - just as Rehvenge kept quiet about his being a nightclub owner (among other shady dealings).

There is a small nod to the `Blackdagger Brotherhood' during one of Sean's childhood flashbacks. He mentions that growing up his father wasn't much of a cook, and so Sean and his brothers relied on the kindness of his best friends mother. The best friend in question was one Butch O'Neal. Has to be the same cop turned vampire, right? Butch is a Southie boy who had a big family - and Sean mentions that Butch was one of five kids. Reading that small Blackdagger reference had me doing a little fan-girl squeal.

I really, really liked this book. It has all the best aspects of the Blackdagger Brotherhood, minus intense plot, heavy action and heroes vs. villains. It's just romance - boy meets girl and everything that ensues.

Perhaps the only negative thing about the book is the fact that it beautifully sets up a series (subsequent books intended to tell the story of Sean's older brother, Mick and younger brother, Billy) that by all accounts JR Ward has no real intention of continuing. It's a real shame because there is plenty of potential here - but rumour on the chat boards is that since the `Blackdagger' books blew up, Ward put the `O'Banyon Brothers' on the backburner indefinitely.

But `Jessica Bird' did write an earlier series for Harlequin, the `Moorehouse Legacy' series has 4 books, and I intend to read all of them because I was so impressed with `The Billionaire next door'.

A Romance Junkie
This story was a little heavy for a romance and kind of depressing. I didn't find it very romantic. Guess this is not my kind of story, but it was well written and I see from the other reviews a lot of people liked it. Lizzie was poor and perfect and Sean and his two brothers were rich and broken..nice ending.

Loved it
This book was hilarious and I loved every second of it. Must be why I couldn't put it down.
... Read more

Product Description
The culmination of many years of research, observation, and study, the new STOKES FIELD GUIDE includes more species, more photographs, and more useful identification information than any other photographic field guide.

Customer Reviews (7)

New Stokes Guide a Jewel
The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America is a jewel. Most birders will want this reasonably priced book for the 3400 photos alone; more and better photos than any other general birding field guide. The photos are also larger and generally in habitat or in flight and appear to include all the subspecies. The text is as good as the photos. Stokes' offers substantially more text on identification of each species (and subspecies) than any other general guide. They also focus increased attention on identification by shape, since that is often what birders see best. Whatever level of birding experience one has, you can use this book as a key reference for the variety of plumages found in the field.

I have not had time to read and use all the book yet; primarily the raptor, shorebird and gull sections, which amaze me for their extensiveness and substance. For example, there are four pages devoted to Red-tailed Hawk, with 23 photos, 12 in flight and 11 perched, covering the subspecies. There are two pages with 9 photos of Swainson's Hawk, and a full page on Roadside Hawk. I haven't even mentioned the downloadable CD of 600 bird songs of 150 common birds, which could be worth the price of the book alone. (Have not used this yet.)

My criticisms so far are few. For raptors and shorebirds in particular, I would like to see a range for length where there are dramatic differences within a species (e.g. accipiters and Dunlin) that can cause confusion with other species. I'd also like to see wingspread ranges for birds often seen best in flight, such as hawks, cranes, etc.

This is not a Stokes' pocket guide. You can't have 3400+ quality photographs produced at an adequate size and substantial text in a book with the same dimensions as the original Peterson. (Although when this book is converted to digital format for PDAs....) I typically carry the large Sibley in a small backpack, along with one or more specialty guides on hawks, shorebirds, or warblers, as appropriate, and my camera. When I'm teaching beginners, I also carry a Peterson or National Geo to minimize information overload for them. I will now be taking a Stokes wherever I go birding and keeping a reference copy at home. I look forward to using it for years.

Almost Portable Field Guide
It is a bit of a brick. This joins several photo guides. Some 7-8 pictures on most birds. The pictures are still on the small side, due to the number on each page.

An improvement on the two volume Stokes set. The text is informative but I have not had to put it to test in the field yet.

Most serious competition is still Kenn Kaufman's guide. That one has really small photos but they are enhanced by plain backgrounds.

There are lots of pages to leaf through. The standard illustrated guides of Peterson or National Geographic cram all related birds onto one page, easy to compare.

It will take some getting used to but the book has promise. Biggest drawback is weight and thickness. It would fit in a birding bag or a large coat pocket.

Awesome --- both photos and text
This new guide shows years of meticulous research and great care in selecting and enhancing photographs. It will meet the needs of birders regardless of their level of expertise. The organization of the text is consistent throughout. I appreciate that each entry begins with shape. The many great photos are not cluttered with arrows or text and in many cases show both adult and immature plumages.The flight pictures are a great help as so often that is where you see a bird.While it is true that the book is too heavy to carry in the field, I find that in the field it is best to jot down observations and then check the guide afterward, so keeping it available in the car is not a problem. The Stokes have done the birding world a great service in producing a wonderful guide.

Good, but not perfect
Have been waiting for this guide to come out and I have to agree with the other reviewers - it is heavy (it is NOT portable into the field!) & the photos are outstanding! The time & effort put forth to create this guide are obvious & appreciable. I actually think the shorebirds, raptors and gulls are well done - especially for a general field guide. A fair amount of the warblers have photos depicting fall plumage. The included CD has good variety of birds and I have always thought their bird call CD's to be amongst the best on the market. A definite bonus!


Realizing that it is difficult to get good/great photos of all birds at all stages of development, my one quibble is that for many species, there are no juvenile/immature photos at all. For example - for the woodpecker species in this volume, there are photos of juveniles for 6 of the 23 listed. However, in defense of this volume, most guides (photographic or painting) on the market suffer the same issue.

Wonderful Book with 1 concern
Received this book and was mesmerized. Wonderful photos and descriptions. Being a bird nerd, I found that the book is too large and heavy (almost 3 pounds)for carrying in the field. I will keep it in my vehicle for an excellent reference source.
... Read more

Product Description
In his first novel since Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernières creates a world, populates it with characters as real as our best friends, and launches it into the maelstrom of twentieth-century history. The setting is a small village in southwestern Anatolia in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. Everyone there speaks Turkish, though they write it in Greek letters. It’s a place that has room for a professional blasphemer; where a brokenhearted aga finds solace in the arms of a Circassian courtesan who isn’t Circassian at all; where a beautiful Christian girl named Philothei is engaged to a Muslim boy named Ibrahim. But all of this will change when Turkey enters the modern world. Epic in sweep, intoxicating in its sensual detail, Birds Without Wings is an enchantment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

A sprawling tale...spread over too many pages
LDB's 'Birds without wings' is a sprawling tale set against the backdrop of the Ottoman Empire during its last, waning, years.

'Sprawling' refers to both the number of characters you'll meet (and, in some cases, get fond of), the time span covered by the storytelling and the sheer number of locations/historical events that get described. Speaking of the latter, the novel has many biographical chapters about Mustafa Kemal's ascent and, more in general, it devotes many pages to recounting the history of Turkey and its troubled relationship with Greece, often adopting a sarcastic stance so typical of people who have become disillusioned with both politics and the human nature.

BWW is marvelously written quite engaging and, at times, deeply moving yet it's far from being a 'perfect' novel.
For one, it starts off too slowly and I personally know of many people who put the book down before the tale could even start to exude its charms. I think it could probably do without 150 pages or so, thus getting rid of the slow start and adding some 'rhytm' to the slower parts. Also: the habit of having different characters recounting the same events is a post-moderm trick that the author uses to an excessive extent and, after a while, it just gets on your nerves.

In short, I wouldn't rate this novel 5 stars yet I did spend some quality time with it and some sentences/characters will stay with me for a long time.

sheer waste of time
I do not by any means claim to be a literary critic; however I do enjoy a good story told in a gripping fashion that makes a book un-put-downable even in the era of great emotion on TV and the silver screen. Historical fiction is great in that you learn about important events, at the same time being moved by the tales of the characters in the book. Some of the recent books that have been mesmerizing for me were: kite runner, sarah's key as well as the old ones like, the siege by ismael kadare.
However, I have to disagree vehemently with most of the reviewers here about this book. I went thr' the first 150 pages with utmost dedication and difficulty and finally had to put this book down. There is simply no story to tell, no characters are depicted with even an iota of impact on me and even after one fourth of the book, the image I have is pages of few tidbits scattered all over the place. I wanted to learn more about the ottoman history and came out with absolutely nothing new in the first150 pages. IMHO, I didn't even appreciate the style of writing; it smacked of vanity by interspersing the pages with persian/arabic/urdu terms but failing miserably to portray the milieu.
I felt that Ismael Kadare has captured the zeitgeist of the ottoman empire quite well in his books, and in just a few pages one learns amazing details about war or cultures. Or in case of Sarah's key, just in a few pages, you are bound to the fate of the little girl searching for something.
I felt frustrated and cheated by all the reviews, especially the one on NPR and hence felt that I should express my opinion, which may help a simple, common person looking to learn about history while reading a beautiful bedtime story, which this book is sooo NOT.
thanks

Birds without Wings
Birds Without Wings - Louis de Bernieres -
5 stars
I've recently returned from the small town of Eskibache in Turkey as it was early in the last century. I'm trying to return to my real life, but Eskibache and its many colorful inhabitants are alive and very active in my mind. Eskibache is a special place where Muslims and Christians live peacefully together, mingling language and customs and frequently intermarrying. The town has a learned Imam, a Greek orthodox priest and Rustem Bey the aga.Take a walk in the meydan or down the street where the Armenians live or up the steep hills to the tombs. Stop to watch Iskander the Potter and he will tell you a proverb. Go to the hamam and gossip with the women.
Bernieres uses the multiple voices of the town's inhabitants to tell the history of this tiny unimportant place during the last days of the Ottoman Empire. Along the way, he also provides a biographical history of the career of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the rise of the modern Turkey. How could the story be anything but tragic?Bernaries allows the private traumas of Eskibache to mirror the enormous catastrophes of war, persecutions and exterminations. And somehow, he does it with humor and poetry.

This is one of those books which I acquired both in audio and paper versions. The audio performance by John Lee is outstanding. It helped me to hear correct pronunciations. John Lee handled the frequent changes of voice and viewpoint seamlessly. I had no trouble keeping track of the many characters.

Gabriel is back!
This guy ate Gabriel Garcia Marquez and what came out the other end is fantastic, and like Marquez the reading is not always a simple walk in the park (particularly the manic war scenes) but is always compelling. How to describe this guy's writing without comparing it to Marquez, minus some magic realism. If you don't feel the connection you have not read Marquez. Marquez, Marquez, Marquez. If you like Marquez, you will love this guy because he also has a lot to say in his own write (yes, I know, trite pun). It's an amazing story, brilliant writing, poetic imagery (writing with tears on the wings of a dove to send a message to your dead mother!) - it has tons to offer despite the derivation. My only complaint is that the "Mustafa" chapters were too numerous, chaotic and close together. I often craved to get back to the other thread of the story. So, I recommend this book to anybody who likes Marquez (ha!), stories set in the Middle East, gorgeous prose, or books you should not miss.

Beautiful and Tragic
Birds Without Wings is a beautifully-told story.The story takes place in a small Turkish village before, during and after war in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire.Most of the story is told through the villagers who are Muslim, Christian, Turkish and Armenian, rich and poor, young and old.There is also a parallel story told through Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a real historic figure, who led the Turkish National Movement and became the first president of Turkey.As the stories merge, the bad times begin.

Upon reading this book, I saw in my mind's eye how these sorts of conflicts happen.There were acts of great cruelty but also acts of great kindness and compassion.The depiction of war was vivid, yet there was also a strong picture drawn of coexistence.I would definitely recommend this book to any friend. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing from the collection of the world-renowned Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird Songs presents the most notable North American birds—including the rediscovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker—in a stunning new format. Renowned bird biologist Les Beletsky provides a succinct description of each of the 250 birds profiled, with an emphasis on their distinctive songs. Lavish full-color illustrations accompany each account, while a sleek, built-in digital audio player holds 250 corresponding songs and calls. In his foreword, North American bird expert and distinguished natural historian Jon L. Dunn shares insights gained from a lifetime of passionate study. Complete with the most up-to-date and scientifically accurate information, Bird Songs is the first book to capture the enchantment of these beautiful birds in words, pictures, and song. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, located in Ithaca, New York, is a nonprofit institution focused on birds and whose mission is to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity through research. The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab is the major source of sound recordings of birds for research, education, conservation, the media, and commercial products.Amazon.com Review
Drawing from the collection of the world-renowned Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird Songs presents the most notable North American birds—including the rediscovered Ivory-billed Woodpecker—in a stunning new format. Renowned bird biologist Les Beletsky provides a succinct description of each of the 250 birds profiled, with an emphasis on their distinctive songs. Lavish full-color illustrations accompany each account, while a sleek, built-in digital audio player holds 250 corresponding songs and calls. In his foreword, North American bird expert and distinguished natural historian Jon L. Dunn shares insights gained from a lifetime of passionate study. Complete with the most up-to-date and scientifically accurate information, Bird Songs is the first book to capture the enchantment of these beautiful birds in words, pictures, and song. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, located in Ithaca, New York, is a nonprofit institution focused on birds and whose mission is to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity through research. The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab is the major source of sound recordings of birds for research, education, conservation, the media, and commercial products. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (230)

Great Learning Tool
We've purchased two of these books (this one and Bird Songs from Around the World), and our kids love them. Our daughter can now identify almost 200 birds by their calls. (We're planning to take advantage of that when we go bird watching next spring!) Note: the newer Around the World book has a Play All feature not included with this one.

Great concept, but cheap product ruins it entirely
As others have said, this is an amazing catalogue of bird songs and is ALMOST worth the bother and expense just to have the songs at your fingertips.Unfortunately, they botched the song player so completely and utterly that I can't ever imagine recommending this book to anyone.

First, if you're going to offer 250 bird songs you should not build such an idiotic system to find the song of interest.Basically, your only choice is to scroll up or down thru the list of numbered bird songs until you reach the one you want.It sounds fairly innocuous until you actually start using the book and realize that it always starts at 001, so to hear song #145 you have to hold down the scroll button for something like 10 seconds until it comes up.Then, after you listen you have to scroll again unless you're going in numerical sequence (which you never would because there's no logical organization to the book).I have no idea why they just didn't fork over the extra cash, put in a numerical keypad that allowed you to key in each number, and then charge more for the book.

On top of this, we got a bum song player that usually only plays the first half second of each song and then automatically resets to 001 again... so our book is basically useless.Regardless, without a keypad for entering numbers the book is just a dust collector.

Book Is So Neat
Love this book and really enjoy listening to all the bird sounds. Learn something new each time I read/listen to it.

Great Book!
This book is so cool!!!Shows the birds and the sounds they make! The whole family is having a blast bird watching now!

250 North American Birds in Song
The item works just like I wanted it to and the family is very happy with the condition in which it was received. The sounds are teriffic and very authentic. Thanks for a great product. ... Read more

Product Description

One of the most beloved novels of all time, Colleen McCullough's magnificent saga of dreams, struggles, dark passions, and forbidden love in the Australian outback has enthralled readers the world over. The Thorn Birds is a chronicle of three generations of Clearys—an indomitable clan of ranchers carving lives from a beautiful, hard land while contending with the bitterness, frailty, and secrets that penetrate their family. It is a poignant love story, a powerful epic of struggle and sacrifice, a celebration of individuality and spirit. Most of all, it is the story of the Clearys' only daughter, Meggie, and the haunted priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart—and the intense joining of two hearts and souls over a lifetime, a relationship that dangerously oversteps sacred boundaries of ethics and dogma.

Customer Reviews (183)

3.5 stars
This is my kind of book: an epic family saga with a strong sense of place. I hate to give it only three stars, but I've had to conclude that while it has its strengths, it doesn't live up to what it could have been.

The Thorn Birds starts off excellently, detailing the day-to-day life of a family struggling to get by in early twentieth century New Zealand. It's well-written, it feels very realistic, and there's a strong sense of place. There's believable conflict among the family members without any of them being unsympathetic. There's an interesting and unflinching look at the effects of strict gender roles on women's lives: something we don't see in most historical fiction, which tends to feature the elite rather than regular folks. (I'll read about the regular folks, any day, and McCullough does it well.) When the family picks up and moves to Australia, I was still enthralled. I loved the descriptions of life in the Outback and was drawn into the family's story.

Somewhere along the way though, things went wrong. The characters' personalities and relationships began to lose credibility with me; several times I just couldn't swallow that people in these situations would relate to each other the way they do. Meggie's relationships with both her mother and her daughter felt especially bizarre, full of contrived antagonism far beyond what one would expect. (In Justine's case, evidently she dislikes Meggie from birth. Ooookay.) Meanwhile, some of the more colorful personalities, such as Frank and Luke, fall off the face of the earth, while the brothers lose what personality they once had and slowly merge into one person, as if McCullough changed her mind about how many brothers the story required but couldn't be bothered to get rid of the extras. As for the romance between Meggie and Ralph, while at first it raised some interesting questions, it never captured my emotions and became increasingly repetitive.

Which is not to say that this is an awful book, because it isn't. It's well-written and the thematics are strong. The sense of place persists throughout, and it's fascinating to see how the coming of new technology affects the Outback. The main characters are decently well-developed, and while the book is long, the plot remains interesting throughout. I finished it in a few days. Still, if you have not yet read the classic historical epics, like Isabel Allende's House of the Spirits or Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, I'd recommend going with those first.

Gripping, wonderful heart tugging
Glancing at the reviews of The Thorn Birds it seems that most of the reviewers are women. Speaking as a man, I was captivated by this book. It was extremely insightful -- peering into each of our souls. My only criticism is that the Meggie and Ralph were the real story, and when Ralph left the story it fell a bit flat (for the last section of the book. But that's nitpicking, really. I'd recommend this book to anyone, male of female. Like action love stores. Check out The Find

The Thorn Birds
Very disapointed with quality pages were falling out and no where no where did it inform me that there is volume 2 out there that I can not find by the way.

Only got 1/2 of book!
Evidently The Thorn Birds is such a long book that for the large print edition it was published in two parts.
Upon purchase, I only received Part 2. This was not explained in the purchase information.

The Thorn Birds
If you have not read the Thorn Birds, you have not read a great piece of literature. The TV miniseries is also great! I finished reading the book two weeks ago, and it still haunts me.I originally thought this book was typical women's reading, but I am a guy who usually reads business books, and I loved the story because the thorn bird is so typical of so many business people that I know! ... Read more

Product Description
Two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry introduces a new girl in class who loves being the center of attention and tells the most entertaining “absolutely true” stories.

There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. What other new kid comes to school wearing pajamas and cowboy boots one day and a polka-dot t-shirt and tutu on another? Gooney Bird has to sit right smack in the middle of the class because she likes to be in the middle of everything. She is the star of story time and keeps her teacher and classmates on the edge of their seats with her “absolutely true” stories. But what about her classmates? Do they have stories good enough to share? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Fab
Fabulous! Gooney Bird moves to a new school and carries the class to new heights with her insouciant confidence, outlandish clothes, and effervescent storytelling. Their teacher, Ms. Pigeon and the principal are also first-rate. This is a classroom series not to miss, although Mary Marony and the Chocolate Surprise by Suzy Kline, stands out as a single book with great power also. Great reads and read-alouds for the early chapter book crowd. More books like this, please, Lois Lowry!

Loved It!
This review is from my almost 8 year old, end of 2nd grade reader:
"It was a great book.Gooney Bird Greene was different and unique.She was really funny and told very good stories. I think kids who like adventures will like this book.She will show them how to be creative and unique.I can't wait to read the rest of her books.I think kids 7 to 11 will like this book"

Granddaughters love it
I gave this to my 5-yr-old granddaughter, who loves it. Even better, her 11-yr old sister likes reading it to her.

Goonie Bird: A Great Classroom Tool
I read Goonie Bird aloud to my second grade class.They loved the story and thought Goonie Bird was hilarious!Even the boys were fighting over who got to read it independently after we finished as a class.Great read aloud for teachers to gain insight into the mind of 7year olds and to remind us to be patient and really listen to our kids.This was also presented teachable moments into plot discussion both for after reading and as a writer to create plot.

Gooney Bird Greene Review
In Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry, the author made us feel as if we were young students again sitting in Mrs. Pigdeon's classroom hearing all of the wonderful stories that Gooney Bird Greene has to tell. These stories were "absolutely true" according to Gooney Bird Greene and although they seemed to be fictitious, they were not and it was inspiring to the other students to write their own true stories.

The main character, Gooney Bird, was introduced in the first chapter. Lowry made her seem very interesting, unique and different based on her attire and the way that she presented herself on the first day. For example, in Chapter 2 it states that "Gooney Bird adjusted the pink ballet tutu she was wearing over a pair of green stretch pants. Her T-shirt was decorated with polka dots. Her red hair was pulled into two pigtails and held there with blue scrunchies." This made all of the students interested in her and made them want to hear a story about Gooney Bird instead of Christopher Columbus. She brought herself to school and seemed very confident even though she was a new student. All of the students were immediately drawn to Gooney Bird and it was as if the entire classroom was uplifted by her spirit.

Chapters 2 through 6 were all centered around the stories that Gooney Bird told to the class. Her first story was "How Gooney Bird Got Her Name" and this was the first of many animated stories. This was the most realistic titled story that she told and it only sparked the childrens' interest to hear her other stories. The second story that she told was "How Gooney Bird Came from China on a Flying Carpet" and this is the first story where the students are taught that the use of the word "suddenly" creates suspense and keeps the listener's attention. She uses it repeatedly so that the story is never boring. It ignites the creation of her other stories and through her word choice she sparks curiosity into other various stories.

In Chapter 4, Lowry emphasizes the fact that what Gooney Bird wears contributes to the stories that she tells the students. For instance, when she wore her large diamond earrings, this caused the students to automatically assume that there had to be an interesting story behind them. Lowry uses this as a major point in her stories to associate clothing with story telling and how it adds to the entirity of each story. The students eventually take a part in dressing unique as well to tie into Gooney Bird and her stories.

This pattern continues throughout the rest of the chapters until Chapter 7 when Lowry has Gooney Bird seem more realistic and relatable to the students. Gooney Bird takes each of her own stories and compares them to stories that the children have themselves about their own real-life experiences. We thought this was another key point in the story because it emphasized the fact that every student has the ability to make their own unique stories and it is not limited to just one person.

We all enjoyed reading this book by Lois Lowry and found that it could be very useful in an elementary school classroom ranging from ages five to nine. We feel that it could be used as a great introduction to teaching about writing and story telling.

The overall theme of the story is that everyone, no matter who you are or where you are from, has the ability to write unique and captivating stories from their everyday lives. This holds true for young children, adults and anyone else who seems inspired to do so. ... Read more

Product Description

"HAVE YOU MET MADELINE MAGUIRE?" SURE HAVE, SPIKE THOUGHT. I SAW HER LAST NIGHT IN MY DREAMS.

As far as bad boy Spike Moriarty was concerned, Madeline Maguire defined female perfection. When they'd met, she'd walked up as if she wasn't the most gorgeous thing on the planet and asked to see his tattoos. He--a tough guy who'd make grown men run--had just about passed out. But their connection was definitely one-way...it had to be. Because he could never be the man in a million she was looking for, not with the things he'd done and seen. So for as long as she'd let him, he'd give her whatever she wanted. He'd worry about her walking away when it happened.

Customer Reviews (11)

THE WARDen's MOOREHOUSE LEGACY SERIES BOOK 4
I've never read Silhouette Romance before but being a fan of JR Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood I wanted to give Jessica Bird a try. This is a good story and I loved the two main characters. Madeline is well written as a strong, take-charge kind of woman (especially for a romance novel) and Spike is just lovely as her troubled, tattooed love interest. I did find certain similarities between Spike and/or Zsadist/Phury and this wasn't a bad thing.

A Man In A Million is relatively predictable, following the standard romance recipe. Spike and Madeline meet at a party, each is attracted to the other but misread their intentions as Mad has trust issues and Spike had a troubled past he thinks would scare her away. A mutual friend sets the two up, sending Spike along as back up while Madeline confronts her brother Richard regarding her trust fund. The two manage to fall in love over the next few days at the family mansion before several misunderstandings tear them apart.

Whether writing as JR Ward or Jessica Bird the writing here is top notch. I really enjoyed the fact that Madeline was an Olympic athlete and Spike was a tattooed, Harley riding French chef. These were different character traits then I'd read before and made for an interesting story. The conflict between Mad and her brother was also well done as was the eventual forgiving found with her sister Amelia. The secondary characters are also well developed and the banter between Spike and his friend Sean is as I'd previously enjoyed between the `Brotherhood'. At times I did find myself irritated by the several misunderstandings our duo had to endure before they found their HEA but all in all this was still a worthwhile read.

If you like tattooed, Harley riding romantic leads with troubled pasts and strong females then this is a book that you will enjoy. Cheers!

Good book
It wasn't quite as good as the Billionare next Door but what is? I still enjoyed it.

I fell in love with these characters right from the beginning ....
A Man in a Million by Jessica Bird
Silhouette Special Edition # 1803 - January 2007
Moorehouse Legacy - Book # 4

Michael "Spike" Moriarty is a six foot four, tattooed bad boy. He has a dark past that he has confessed to few; that eats him up inside and makes him feel unworthy of love. Having the career of his dreams as partner and chef at a B&B in the Adirondacks is the best he expects for himself. The career and having his sister Jaynie stay with him where he can keep her safe, is all that he needs. That is until he meets Madeline "Mad" Maguire, the six foot Amazon who used to crew with a good friend on their America's Cup yacht. Mad's worked very hard and has earned herself tremendous respect among her crew; she's a helmsman who could crew on any yacht she chose. At 25 she's surrounded by men but has never had a relationship with one. There's something about Spike that makes her want to change all that. He's got an aura of danger but she senses that deep inside he's a man a woman can count on. The challenge would be to convince him that she was okay with the fact that he didn't do long term, she was ready to live just for the now.

I fell in love with these characters right from the beginning. This is another awesome book; one that I couldn't put down. Mad loves the look of hunger in Spike's eyes when he watches her and this makes her hungry in return. It's all the past insecurities that keep coming between them, and some misunderstandings from conclusions jumped into. It was fun watching Spike go crazy shy and Mad become a seductress. Well done! :D

Moorehouse Legacy series ...
Beauty and the Black Sheep - SSE# 1698 - July 2005
His Comfort and Joy - SSE# 1732 - January 2006
From the First - SSE #1750 - April 2006
A Man in a Million - SSE #1803 - January 2007

It's all about Spike! (B Grade)
For a category read, this was pretty okay. But what made the story shine was Mike Moriarty aka Spike. Jessica Bird (Also known as JR Ward) has an incredible knack for writing great heroes, and Spike falls into this category.
This story is too short in my opinion, but watching a man fall for a woman he thinks is too good for him is such a joy. Madeline, his crush feels unworthy from her looks to her profession because she has come from a lifestyle that frowns upon anyone who does things out of the norm. But, Madeline is one woman who is beautiful, both inside and out. And when Spike shows her his love... well it scorches.
Again, it is all about Spike- he rides a motorcycle, has tattoos and is a chef!
The plot was a tad dull but paved the way for our two characters to let go of past problems and find happiness in each other's arms. This story is perfect For a few hours of some simple and relaxing reading.

Katiebabs

His Comfort and Joy (Moorehouse Legacy) (Silhouette Special Edition, No. 1732)
The Billionaire Next Door (Silhouette Special Edition)
From The First (Silhouette Special Edition)

Ok, but not very original
I've never read a Silhouette before, and the only reason I picked this up was because the subtle connection between the JR Ward BDB series.Also because it was used.

Mad, the heroine, is an olympic sail girl material, whose half brother has always taken over her life and her half sister has always stolen her possible mates.Full of insecurities about herself, she still tries to approach the dark, tall, mysterious, and handsome Spike.Unfortunately, Spike himself is full of his own insecurities after only a year out of prison for manslaughter.

If you've read the JR Ward series, the book was too much like a Zhadist & Bella rehash. Both heroine & hero of this Silhouette book give off similar personality traits of the BDB characters.Even the dialogue is somewhat similar, although Spike is a little bit of a combo of Zhadist & Phury.

I would have preferred the plot to be a little deeper rather than a dependency of the tiresome "Great Misunderstanding" plot of hearsay and deceiving appearances.In addition, the background of Spike was not very clear. If Spike has served his time in prison since he was 24 or 25, how long was his prison term? How old is he? How did he get involved in the popular restaurant business? How did he become a French chef? Why did the inmates give him the "Spike" nickname? What's with the tatoos down his spine? Those and more questions bothered me in the book.The intimate scenes were hot though, too bad it's not a full length novel.

I gave the book 4 stars only because I had too many questions about Spike's history even though the story was well written and a little bit of an alternate universe Zhadist story. ... Read more

Product Description
Birding is the fastest growing wildlife-related activity in the U.S., and even conservative estimates put the current number of U.S. birders at 50 million. According to the New York Times, some authorities predict that by 2050 there will be more than 100 million—and the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America will be the essential reference for field identification and the cornerstone of any birder's library. This is the ultimate, indispensable bird field guide—comprehensive, authoritative, portable, sturdy, and easier than ever to use.

Among the the new edition's key elements and practical improvements: Every North American species—more than 960, including a new section on accidental birds—classified according to the latest official American Ornithologists' Union checklist 4,000 full-color illustrations by the foremost bird artists at work todayand newly updated range maps that draw on the latest data New durable cover for added protection against adverse weather, plus informative quick-reference flaps that double as placemarkersNew reader-friendly features like thumbtabs that make locating key sections faster and easier, and a quick-find index to direct users straight to the information they need. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (81)

Great tool for bird photography
I spend a lot of time in the field doing bird (and other) photography. Another photographer friend of mine who, I often go with on photo albums has carried this guide with him for years. Very handy to have in such a setting. After telling myself that I need to get one for myself, I finally did. The illustrations are clear and accurate identification of birds is easy.Add to that, suplemental info on bird migration and other habits, my identification of my birds has greatly improved. Not that I'm trying to become a bird expert.That is not the point of the book.The point is I want to be able to quickly find a bird's picture and info in the book while I'm looking at the live one.It does that very well. Bound solidly it looks to hold up through a lot of use.My friend's copy though a little dog eared by now is still in one piece.Mine is just a later edition. :-)

A VERY VALUABLE AND VALID GUIDE.
I recently replaced my old edition of this work with this, the fifth edition and must say I am quite pleased.I am one of those individuals (like many birders) who rely on a number of field guides and reference books.The previous edition of this work has for a number of years been one of the pillars I rely on.

Now everyone has their own favorite field guide and of course I am no exception.How a guide becomes the favorite of any individual depends upon numerous factors, but I have found one of the leading reason is simply that each birder uses what he or she is most familiar with or the first guide they began using.With me, as many, many others, I have been a Peterson fan for well over 50 years.I still use the Peterson guides and they are the first book I reach for.But this is not to say that I am not oh so grateful for all of the other wonderful identification books we now have available, this work from National Geographic included.More about that later....

I find the pictures in this particular guide very helpful and for the most part extremely accurate.If you compare the illustrations in this work with Sibley or Kauffman, it stands up pretty well.I find that the Peterson work will bring identification points to my attention quicker and I find both Sibley and Peterson easier to use from a visual aspect, but I suspect that is personal preference and simply what I have become more use to over the years.

Now as to illustrations, in my case I find that if I use one illustrated guide (or two or three) combined with a guide that uses photographs, such as the Audubon or Smithsonian, my chances of identifying what ever it is I am trying to identify, increase greatly.I am a strong believer in using multiple books!

The range guides in this work are quite good as far as it goes, but as with all guides and filed books, you have to remember that ranges are not written in stone.We are going through a tremendous range change at present due to the climate changes we are experiencing and as each year passes, I am amazed at the number of species If spot that have no right to be where they are; according range maps.Birders need to be alert to this.

I like the quick find index found in this book and love the thumbtabs which are quite handy.This edition includes "every North American Species - 967 in all."Two things to note here:First, the species count is continually changing with new subspecies being added and older subspecies being grouped.I no of no field guide that can constantly keep up with this as quickly as changes take place.Secondly, beginning birders often make the mistake of including Mexico and parts of Central America as "North America."This is not the way they have divided up the "bird world."Anything south of the U.S. boarder is not considered North America as far as bird guides go.

Note:As has been pointed out by a number of reviewers here, the arrangement of this work may take some getting use to as the authors have used the new taxanomic order as approved of by the American Ornithologist Union.This will be no problem for new birders, but old birds like myself had to do some mental adjustments when first using this work.

I would never ever make the statement to the effect that "if you only have one bird book to your name...." as I am a strong believer in multiple books but that being said, if you do indeed want only one book, then I hardly feel you would go wrong with this one.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

National geographic field guide birds
Thebook is so interesting that you can sit and read it for enjoyment or reach for it to make a positive identification. This is an excellent resource for someone like me who has a lot of interest in birds but not much knowledge. It was recommended by a friend who is much more knowledgeable than I am. The illustrations are really well-done and the information for each species is on the same page as the illustration.

Bird Book
I find this Bird Book very helpful in the names and changes of groups of birds and also the index of the book is very helpful.

Perfect Condition
The book arrived in perfect condition. I have had problems with the way other sellers ship their books and have had to return a couple of purchases in the past. Condition of book as described- new with small remainder mark on bottom. Other than that, it looks brand new.Will order from this seller again. ... Read more

Product Description
Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T+ audiences. Misao and Kyo have traveled to the Tengu Village to end Sho's claim on the leadership of the clan once and for all. Misao knows there will be bloodshed, and things will only get worse if the battle is drawn out.But her attempt to help is thwarted by a cunning trap. Locked in with Sho with little hope of rescue, Misao has a terrible choice to make--betray Kyo or die a horrible, painful death! ... Read more

Product Description
The Sibley Guide to Birds has quickly become the new standard of excellence in bird identification guides, covering more than 810 North American birds in amazing detail. Now comes a new portable guide from David Sibley that every birder will want to carry into the field. Compact and comprehensive, this new guide features 650 bird species plus regional populations found east of the Rocky Mountains. Accounts include stunningly accurate illustrations—more than 4,200 in total—with descriptive caption text pointing out the most important field marks. Each entry contains new text concerning frequency, nesting, behavior, food and feeding, voice description, and key identification features. Accounts also include brand-new maps created from information contributed by 110 regional experts across the continent.

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America is an indispensable resource for all birders seeking an authoritative and portable guide to the birds of the East. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (96)

Great buy
I reveived the book in 7 days from placing the order. It is very good saler.

great reference book for a novice
This is a great reference book if you're new to bird identification. Its very easy to use quickly to identify and packed with info for times you're looking for further information. And the price is great too.

Birds in my area
I purchased this to learn more about the birds in the perserve behind my home.

The pictures assisted with identification and the facts and tidbits were helpful in learning more about birds I have observed.

Its the perfect guide for a beginner bird watcher.

one of two essential guides
I use this and the Peterson Field guide - between the two we can identify/distinguish even very similar birds.
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Sixth Edition

Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
I use this guide to replace my 40 year old Peterson's Guide.It's color, descriptions, and groupings are an improvement of what I've used for years.I'm only a backyard observer with an occasional sighting elsewhere while traveling.Sibley's is the choice of my brothers who are expert birders.So, I've stepped up to the manual of experts.It's a good buy. ... Read more

Product Description

Getting tangled up in fantasies about some man Joy saw maybe five or six times a year was ridiculous.

And it wasn't like Gray ever encouraged her. He remembered her name. But that was as far as it ever got. Well, except in her dreams. In real life, however, the attraction was totally one-sided.

Or so she thought. Joy couldn't believe it when her daydreams about Grayson Bennett, political consultant and heartthrob extraordinaire, seemed poised to become reality. When he noticed her--really noticed her. When he gazed at her with the same desire he'd inspired in her for years. But was sweet, small-town Joy a match for arrogant, big-city Gray, ruthless about all things--except opening his heart?

Customer Reviews (4)

THE WARDen HITS HER STRIDE IN THIS PAGE TURNING ROMANCE
HIS COMFORT AND JOY is book 2 in the Moorehouse legacy trilogy which I discovered through being a fan of JR Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this romance, although its within this instalment that you really begin to hear Ward's voice (and some of the Brothers too. ) The level of sexual tension throughout the story is such that I couldn't put it down. It's clever, interesting and Wow, can Ms Bird ever write a tortured love scene.

Joy Moorehouse has fantasized about Grayson Bennett for ages but not once during the 5 or 6 times a year that she sees him has he ever really noticed her. Truthfully, she realizes he probably doesn't even know her name.I mean she's being ridiculous right? Why would a wealthy political consultant and playboy extraordinaire notice her? She's just a small town nobody working in the family's B&B and looking after her ailing grandmother, he's a Washington big shot, several years older and experienced in the ways of the world. In fact the last couple of times Joy saw him he was just down right rude. What Joy doesn't realize of course is that Gray has to keep his distance; he simply doesn't trust himself when he's around her anymore.

Ever since he saw her in that bikini he can't seem to get her out of his head. Gray can barely breathe when she's near and is filled with raging, unexplainable jealousy (among other things.) Worst of all, nasty thoughts have been swimming around in his head, thoughts of what he'd like to do to her sweet virginal body given the chance. Yeah he'd better keep far away from Joy because the two of them together could only spell disaster he'd eventually wind up hurting her and Gray doesn't think his heart could take it.

Bird's build-up to this couple's first kiss (or in this case first dance) is well done and had me turning the pages in a fever of anticipation. When they finally touch during the slow dance it's well-- amazing.As a whole this story kept me entertained and was just different enough from the normal Harlequin formula to keep me guessing. It contains a movie-worthy moment on a train and Bird's usual expertise with multiple POV's. I enjoyed the updates on our past couple as well as the continual development of future storylines. Book 3, FROM THE FIRST is next and I can't wait to see how Joy s wounded and grief-stricken brother Alex finally finds happiness. Yay for me, another tortured hero.

I would highly recommend that fans of JR Ward (patiently waiting on Lover Mine) check out this series and all of Jessica Bird's earlier writings. Cheers

I didn't want to put this one down until the very last page! .....
His Comfort and Joy by Jessica Bird
Silhouette Special Edition # 1732 - January 2006
Moorehouse Legacy trilogy - Book # 2

Gray Bennett is the first to admit that he's too jaded and cynical for sweet Joy Moorehouse. He's a political consultant that welds a lot of power in Washington, as it's his advice that has gotten Senators elected. And that political game has taken it's toll on him, so much so, that just being near Joy fills him with a need to wash his hands. He'd always known Joy, she'd grown up next door to their summerhouse, but something about her this summer has made him thoroughly aware of what a desirable woman she is, and he can't stop thinking about her. Joy has had a crush on Gray it seems like forever. For years she's fantasized about the day when he finally sits up and takes notice of her. Well, now he has and he's confusing her. He wants her but he doesn't. Joy may have stars in her eyes but she's not delusional. She knows that Gray will never offer her more than a casual fling, and at first she's willing to agree to that. Until she realizes that Gray may want her passionately but he'll always push her away emotionally and never really trust her.

This is a book I didn't want to put down until that very last page. Gray is a tortured man and scarred badly from a childhood where he watched his mother cheat repeatedly on his father. His career choice coupled with his mother's betrayals has made him a man who'll rarely ever trust a woman. Joy knows there's a good man there in Gray, one she's loved for a long time. But when he continually refuses to trust her, she's admits to defeat. There are moments where I hated Gray as much as he hated himself. Thankfully, Ms. Bird gave us hope in his redemption right from the beginning of the book. Beautifully written. :D

Moorehouse Legacy series ...
Beauty and the Black Sheep - SSE #1698 - July 2005
His Comfort and Joy - SSE #1732 - January 2006
From the First - SSE #1750 - April 2006
A Man in a Million - SSE #1803 - January 2007

2nd in a Trilogy - The Moorehouse Legacy
Joy Moorehouse grew up knowing that she probably would never have the things she wants - namely her neighbor,Gray Bennett, and a life of her own designing dresses.When Joy's parents died, her older sister took over the running of the family bread & breakfast, leaving Joy to take over the care of their grandmother, who has dementia.With the family barely holding on, Joy can only yearn for Gray Bennett, a rich, political consultant, who she has loved for years.

Gray, on the other hand, has noticed Joy, but believes she is too innocent, too young for him.Gray has had a pretty terrible family life, with his mother running around with every available man, and sometimes even putting Gray in the position of having to warn her when his father was coming home.Because of his mother, Gray really has very little use for women.Add his early childhood experiences to the cutthroat life Gray leads in Washington, D.C., and you have a recipe for a hard, uncaring cynic.

This second book in the Moorehouse legacy reminded me more of J. R. Ward's writing than the first book, but despite being well-written and interesting, I grew tired of Gray's internal whining and needless jealousy.At first it made the romantic conflict very believable, but after a while you wished he would just get over it or move on.Regardless, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary romances.

Moorehouse Legacy
Ms Bird has written another excellant series.Has strong characters that carry from one book to the next. Whether she is writing as Jessia Bird or JR Ward, she keeps her readers coming back for more, ... Read more

Product Description

THE FORCE OF THOSE EYES HIT FRANKIE MOOREHOUSE LIKE A GUST OF WIND

But she quickly reminded herself that she had dinner to get ready, the staff of White Caps B&B (such as it was) to motivate. She didn't have the luxury of staring into a stranger's face.

Although, jeez, what a face it was.

And wasn't it just her luck that the owner of that face, Nate Walker--with his rebel attitude and distaste for authority--was the chef her restaurant desperately needed, and he was staying for the summer....

And...it was a bit too tempting to let this breath of fresh air sweep her off her feet. Because all work and no play had been Frankie's motto for much too long!

Customer Reviews (4)

SOLID ROMANTIC DEBUT FROM THE WARDEN
Ten years ago Frankie's parents died in a boating accident leaving her to raise her younger brother and sister and care for Grand-Em who suffers from dementia (I loved Grand-Em) To help pay the bills Frankie's turned the family's 6th generation mansion into a Bed & breakfast/restaurant. Unfortunately without the money for upkeep the walls are literally crumbling down on top of them. Tonight the chef's quit and Frankie's reached the end of her endurance, she's exhausted and if business doesn't pick up soon she's going to have to sell.

As fate would have it chef extraordinaire Nate Walker's beloved car Lucille has just broken down leaving him stranded on the side of the road. In his search for a phone so he can continue on to New York, Nate unknowingly enters the chaos of Frankie's kitchen. And before she can say "no soup for you" he's saved the night, putting her naïve staff to work and whipping up a fancy chicken dish for the starving guests.

The attraction between our pair is instantaneous (this is Harlequin after all) but Frankie's not going to be taken inby Nate's green and gold flecked eyes or his athletes body easily she's been burned once too many. That's a good thing too because in Nate's opinion Frankie really needs to dial down the attitude although he can't help wondering what lies beneath the glasses and baggy clothes or how she'd look if she would just smile. Maybe he'll postpone buying that restaurant in New York, just for the summer of course, help Frankie get back on her feet before he leaves. I mean what's the worst that could happen? It's not like he's going to fall in love or anything. It's not like he'll mow her lawn wearing nothing but a pair of cut-offs, sweat trickling down his muscled chest.

I don't read a lot of Harlequin but I am a huge fan of JR Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood which is how I discovered Jessica Bird. I enjoyed this, her debut novel and could definitely `hear' Ward's voice in the writing particularly when it comes to her sexy yet somewhat tortured male characters. And although this is a predictable, feel good romance Bird kept my interest throughout the engaging love story with interesting secondary characters and multiple POV's. In fact she's left me curious enough that I'm going to have to read the rest of the Moorehouse Legacy series to find out what happens to them all. Cheers

This is a wonderful feel good romance .....
This is a wonderful feel good romance ....... , Oct 20 2007


Beauty and the Black Sheep by Jessica Bird
Silhouette Special Edition # 1698 - July 2005
Moorehouse Legacy trilogy - Book # 1

Frankie Moorehouse was brilliant with numbers and the financial statement for their family mansion turned B&B told a story that she dreaded. Frankie had put her life on hold when she was 22 to raise her sister Joy and take care of Grand-Em, when her parents died on the lake. Ten years have gone by, and Frankie has come to realize that she may have failed terribly; if business didn't pickup soon she'd be forced to sell the family home. Nate Walker's beloved Lucille made a bang and died on the side of the road, leaving him no choice but to hoof it to the nearest town. He hadn't expected the chaos he'd walked into when he banged on the back door of the B&B, but here was a kitchen desperately in need of his culinary talents. Nate's a master chef, and Frankie's cook has just quit and her guests were in the dining room complaining of hunger. Nate's footloose and fancy free for the summer and the answer to Frankie's prayers. But Nate's used to running his own kitchen and Frankie's not used to trusting anyone; and how could they avoid their instant attraction. Frankie knows that Nate can only commit for the summer; come Labour Day he's back to NYC and hopefully a restaurant of his own to run.

This is a wonderful feel good romance. Both Nate and Frankie have a lot of scars and some unhealed wounds. Fighting their attraction doesn't get them far, for as Nate claimed from the beginning it was inevitable. But once they begin to share their secrets and dreams, they change their relationship into more than the casual fling both agreed to. I really liked how Frankie realizes that she really hadn't put her life on hold, that the B&B and taking care of Grand-Em with her sister Joy was really where she belonged. And when Frankie's world is collapsing around her, Nate discovers he really wants to be the one to take care of her for a change. Wonderful read and a teasing set up for the books that follow, Joy's story and then Alex's. :D

Moorehouse Legacy series ...
Beauty and the Black Sheep - SSE #1698 - July 2005
His Comfort and Joy - SSE #1732 - January 2006
From the First - SSE #1750 - April 2006
A Man in a Million - SSE #1803 - January 2007

Pleasant but...
Jessica Bird is a pseudonym used by the author who also writes as J.R. Ward (the "Black Dagger Brotherhood" novels). If you're considering buying this book because of that, be aware that it's nothing like the other series. The blurb says this is her debut book with Silhouette Special Edition, and it reads like it. It's very pleasant, entertaining, and certainly worth buying, but it's not memorable. As the other reviwer mentioned, it's just not clear at all why the hero falls for the heroine. She's spunky, and he likes women with that quality, but that still doesn't answer the question 'why her?' However, the hero is sexy, handsome, and well drawn, so it's fun to read for him alone.

I plan to read the others in this series only because I love J.R. Ward's books, and I'm curious about her evolution as a writer. If it weren't for that connection, I probably wouldn't buy another by Jessica Bird.

First in a Trilogy - The Moorehouse Legacy
Frankie (Frances) Moorehouse has been taking care of her family ever since her parents died.While only 31, Frankie is worn out with caring for her younger sister, Joy; her grandmother, who has dementia; and the crumbling bed & breakfast that has housed Moorehouses for six generations.To top matters off, the cook has quit.Frankie has reached the end of her rope when she hires Nate Walker.Nate, a 4 star chef, is passing through when his car breaks down.While Nate is in the process of using his life savings to find a restaurant to call his own, Frankie's little bed & breakfast looks like the perfect answer for the summer months.

Nick and Frankie have plenty of problems to work through.Both parties have been burnt in the past and bring numerous issues to the table.In fact, at one point, I got frustrated, because everytime one problem got solved, another problem arose.Because of all the old baggage, sometimes the romantic conflict seemed a little forced.I enjoyed the character of Nick, who was wonderful, although sometimes I couldn't understand why he was attracted to Frankie, who seemed too guarded and too stubborn.The book was very well written and I liked the ending, but I was able to set it down and walk away several times.While not a J.R. Ward entry in quality, a nice book for a pleasant afternoon. ... Read more

Product Description
With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised editions of two classic Peterson Field Guides are sure to be valuable additions to any birder's pocket or daypack. At a trim size of 5 x 8, they are portable but also beautifully illustrated. Photographs, while modern looking and colorful, capture just one moment in time. The paintings in these guides, however, show all of a bird's key field marks and use the Peterson Identification System to make bird identification easier for beginning and intermediate bird watchers. 1.02 inches tall x 5.00 inches long x 8.00 inches wideAmazon.com Review
Product Description
With all-new range maps, updated text, and 40 new paintings, the completely revised editions of two classic Peterson Field Guides are sure to be valuable additions to any birder's pocket or daypack. At a trim size of 5 x 8, they are portable but also beautifully illustrated. Photographs, while modern looking and colorful, capture just one moment in time. The paintings in these guides, however, show all of a bird's key field marks and use the Peterson Identification System to make bird identification easier for beginning and intermediate bird watchers. A team of professional birders has updated the text, the maps, and the art for these authoritative guides. Expert birders also created 35 entertaining and easy-to-use video podcasts, which are available to download. They make fun and educational viewing on a computer desktop or MP3 player.

The best-selling field guide since 1934, the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America is now in its sixth edition. With clear, succinct accounts of more than 500 species, accurate and beautiful paintings on 159 color plates, and 512 maps annotated with extensive range information, this is the most up-to-date and accessible field guide for bird watchers in eastern North America

Customer Reviews (12)

Peterson is still the best for bird ID!
Sure there is lots more competition from other bird books now; but for ID of birds Peterson is still the best!The use of "points of emphasis" drawings to distinguish what makes a species different is still the best technique and biggest help - even for experienced birders (and I fit this category knowing warblers by their song).Do not go with books that use photographs whatever you do - birds just do not look like the photo in real life; as there is significant variation by bird. But a few characteristics are prominent on all birds of the same species - thus, Peterson drawings emphasizing these prominent points are the most helpful approach.Also, do not try to make a reference book with more info into a "field guide" for ID - too much info is bulky and confusing and harder to reference "in the field".RTP is still King and his legacy lives on...

Still a great guide, but losing ground
I really wish I could agree with the glowing reviews given by others, but I can't, at least in some respects. I grew up with the original Peterson field guide, and it was my parents' bible.The revisions over the years greatly enhanced the original material.I doubt there is a "seasoned" birder out there who would not say that the Peterson guides are responsible to a great extent for their love of birding.
As soon as They were available I signed up for the pre-order of both the eastern and western editions.I have had them now for around 5 months, and they have never left the house.I can only really comment on the eastern edition, because I never had a previous western ed., but I assume this applies to both.
The book's content is at least 95% the same as the previous edition. I have spotted an added picture or two, but not many.Colors have been changed slightly, but I am not sure that they are better, and it may just be the printing process.The text is updated to agree with current information, bird names, etc., but I haven't noticed much else.In that the pictures and information in the guides has always been excellent, all well and good.
The complaint I have is that the book is just no longer a FIELD GUIDE to me, as past editions were.It is thicker, somewhat heavier, and for a very poor reason, in my estimation.The difference is primarily in the back section of range maps, which has almost doubled in size.It takes up roughly 1/4 of the total size of the book. Now, we all refer to a range map from time to time, but I would bet its something like 1 in 300 times we use the book.Beyond that, the regular pages have smaller maps for the birds which suffice very well at least 95% of the time.To waste all that space and weight is ridiculous.If it is necessary to include all those large maps, I suggest they should be published separately and packagedwith the guides, letting the user decide whether or not to carry them.I'm betting not 1/10 of 1% would.The old guide slid nicely into a pocket of my field pants.I won't be doing that with the new one, I'd be afraid it would rip the pocket out, if I could get it in at all. The newest National Geo. guides are top notch, and they are smaller, thinner, and lighter than Peterson, as are others.The "big Sibley" has become the bible for most birders, although mine will never leave the house or car because of size, so that leaves out the new Peterson from any primarly use other than possibly the "bird feeder birder".My feeling is, the people at Peterson "just don't get it" as far as their niche in the guide book business goes. I feel guilty for being a detractor of this "new standard", but I would feel more guilty if I did not.

The Best of the Best
This is probably my fourth or fifth copy of Peterson's Field Guide and I was blown away at the improvement! These have always been the Gold Standard of field guides, but this edition tops them all. Whether you are new to birding or an old 'lister' this is essential for you.

Better Still!
I was initially reluctant to buy the first edition of the namesake guide that R. T. Peterson (who died in 1996) was not at all involved in producing, but I was needlessly concerned.This new guide incrementally improves on its previous (5th) edition, incorporating a cleaner layout, updated range maps, and the revised taxonomy of the latest supplements to the AOU checklist.The original plates, similarly, have been dealt a subtle hand; overall, I feel they've never looked better!

If I had any criticism to level at this new edition, it's that the "the text" is often spare.Terminology and useful explanations of plumage features in the 5th edition that would confuse or overwhelm only the newest birdwatcher has often been omitted entirely.Understandably, this guide has long been a favorite of beginners, but I resent this "dumbing down" of one of the few references one is likely to carry into the field.(And if nothing else, it means a beginner is likely to "outgrow" this guide sooner than he or she should have, and that is the real shame!)Finally, was the publisher unable to find a better picture of Mr. Peterson than the one they used for the back cover?Yikes!(They should have just used the same one they used for the 5th edition.)

No matching CD...
Bought this for my Mother so I have not seen it myself. I'm sure it is a wonderful book that continues to follow the strict quality standards that are the norm. However, it does not coincide with the most recent Eastern Bird Songs CD published. The 5th edition of the book is needed for this and it is perfect! I still use the 4th ed book copyright 1980!!! Can't wait to see the newer version! ... Read more

Product Description
David Allen Sibley, America's most gifted contemporary painter of birds, is the author and illustrator of this comprehensive guide. His beautifully detailed illustrations—more than 6,600 in all—and descriptions of 810 species and 350 regional populations will enrich every birder's experience.

The Sibley Guide's innovative design makes it entirely user friendly. The illustrations are arranged to facilitate comparison, yet still capture the unique character of each species.

The Sibley Guide to Birds provides a wealth of new information:
—Captioned illustrations show many previously unpublished field marks and revisions of known marks
—Nearly every species is shown in flight
—Measurements include length, wingspan, and weight for every species
—Subspecies and geographic varients are covered thoroughly
—Complete voice descriptions are included for every species
—Maps show the complete distribution of every species: summer and winter ranges, migration routes, and rare occurrences

Both novice and experienced birders will appreciate these and other innovative features:
—An introductory page for each family or group of related families makes comparisons simple
—Clear and concise labels with pointers identify field marks directly
—Birds are illustrated in similar poses to make comparisons between species quick and easy
—Illustrations emphasize the way birds look in the field

With The Sibley Guide to Birds, the National Audubon Society makes the art and expertise of David Sibley available to the world in a comprehensive, handsome, easy-to-use volume that will be the indispensable identification guide every birder must own.Amazon.com Review
More than 10 years in the making, David Sibley's Guide to Birds is a monumental achievement. The beautiful watercolor illustrations (6,600, covering 810 species in North America) and clear, descriptive text place Sibley and his work squarely in the tradition of John James Audubon and Roger Tory Peterson; more than a birdwatcher and evangelizer, he is one of the foremost bird painters and authorities in the U.S. Still, his field guide will no doubt spark debate. Unlike Kenn Kaufman's Focus Guide, Sibley's is unapologetically aimed at the converted. Beginning birders may want to keep a copy of Sibley at home as a reference, but the wealth of information will have the same effect on novices as trying to pick out a single sandpiper in a wheeling flock of thousands. The familiar yellow warbler, for instance, gets no less than nine individual illustrations documenting its geographic, seasonal, and sex variations--plus another eight smaller illustrations showing it in flight. Of course, more experienced birders will appreciate this sort of detail, along with Sibley's improvements on both Peterson and the National Geographic guide:

• As in Peterson, Sibley employs a pointer system for key field markings--but additional text blurbs are included alongside the illustrations to facilitate identification.
• Descriptive passages on identification are more detailed than those in most other field guides. For example, Sibley includes extensive information on the famously hard-to-distinguish hawks in the genus Accipiter (sharp-shinned, Cooper's, and northern goshawk), noting differences in leg thickness and wing beat that will be of use to more advanced birders. A section on the identification of "peeps" (small sandpipers) includes tips about seasonal molting and bill length. Confusing fall warblers, Empidonax flycatchers, and Alcids receive similar treatment.
• As previously mentioned, ample space is given to illustrations that show plumage variations by age, sex, and geography within a single species. Thus, an entire page is devoted to the red-shouldered hawk and its differing appearances in the eastern U.S., Florida, and California; similarly, gulls are distinguished by age and warblers by sex.
• Range maps are detailed and accurate, with breeding, wintering, and migration routes clearly depicted; rare but regular geographic occurrences are denoted by green dots.
• The binding and paper stock are of exceptional quality. Despite its 544 pages, a reinforced paperback cover and sewn-in binding allow the book to be spread out flat without fear of breaking the binding.

Some birders will be put off by the book's size. Slightly larger than the National Geographic guide, it's less portable than most field guides and will likely spend more time in cars and desks than on a birder's person while in the field. For some it will be a strictly stay-at-home companion guide to consult after a field trip; others may want to have it handy in a fannypack or backpack. But regardless of how it is used, Sibley's Guide to Birds is a significant addition to any birding library. "Birds are beautiful," the author writes in the preface, "their colors, shapes, actions, and sounds are among the most aesthetically pleasing in nature." Pleasing, too, is this comprehensive guide to their identification. --Langdon Cook

Amazon Exclusive Essay: Author David Allen Sibley on Spring Birding in the United States

photo credit:  Erinn Hartman

Customer Reviews (145)

The pinnacle of birding guides
This is without a doubt the "go to" guide for bird identification. It has very detailed pictures of species in many different forms and variations, and in many positions. Although it is rather large, most people leave it at home or in their car as a reference volume. But still, it is the "last word", every serious birder must have a copy.

Great Vendor-Great Book!
Recently purchased Sibley Guide to Birds as I purchased a weekend home surrounded by a bird sanctuary. The book was recommended by a specialist in the field and is one of the most complete and user-friendly guides around. I ordered a second one for my other home. The product ordered was delivered quickly and exactly as advertised.Both vendor and book were great.

Useful guide, range maps too small
I've used this guide --note that it's not titled a "FIELD" guide-- since it first came out, but not often in the field. It's too large for the largest pocket, too heavy and cumbersome to add to the binoculars and, often, camera gear and be comfortable walking. My paperback copy has a well-sewn binding and lies flat when open, which makes it tremendously useful for:

Identifying birds in your backyard, if you live in a place where there is still habitat and cover for more than House (English) sparrows and can sit at a table and study the book with the birds. A house or patio makes a good blind.

Identifying birds in a reserve or park where you are basically driving to an observation deck pier, or blind.

Keeping in the car in case you happen on a rest stop or a park or a good road shoulder with birds, and these are many. The car is a great blind -- birds tend to stay put, and an open window makes a good binocular (or camera) brace if the motor is turned off. The size and heft of the book is perhaps useful here -- it stays put on the car seat and stays open.

My biggest problem with the Sibley guide is that the range maps are tiny, really too small for using to decide "which species." Range maps can be the quickest way to pin down a species before it flies away, especially for the less than expert of us, who take a long time to zero in on the defining detail -- the "fine print" -- for each type. And I rather agree with the reviewer who bewails the lack of mention of eggs -- a few paragraphs on lifestyle (Ground feeders? Hole nesters?) and egg and nest type for each group would have made the book more useful -- and more interesting. (To be fair, Sibley has taken up the lives of birds in a separate volume, "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior," and it's one of the best I know of, with his love of birds shining through every page and fascinating detail along with the general overview of the ways birds live.)

And speaking of groups, why were order names omitted? A sense of order characteristics is one of the most useful things a new birder can acquire. It seems silly to deny the book's users this easy rationalization of the groups, and any aspiring birder who has had -- as is likely-- a course or workshop in Natural History, birds or birding, or basic biology at the vertebrate level should appreciate the usefulness of taxonomic hierarchy. The book is in taxonomic sequence but does not in any way other than by a page of thumbnails attempt to separate the larger (ordinal level) groups.

Because of size and weight of the Sibley guide, the near microscopic range maps, the sometimes skimpy habitat and lifestyle material, I use this book together with the Golden guide (Robbins, Zim, and others), which has a good-sized range map with the text for almost every species, and many sonograms of calls or songs, also with the text. While the sonograms may seem daunting at first, they are far better than attempts at spelling out calls once you get the hang of them -- which is not at all hard if you look at a sonogram or two while listening to a familiar bird singing. The older editions, boards with sewn bindings, were also of a size to go into a large jacket pocket, and after some use opened flat easily -- that field guides might actually go into the field is increasingly overlooked in the current style of book design!

Best Birder Book
The Peterson's Field Guide was always the favorite of our Field Guide collection, until we purchased The Sibley Guide to Birds. It is the best!!! We do have Tree Guides, but will purchase Sibley`s Tree Guide next!

condition of book
Though I am pleased with the book and the price, the book was not in 'new' condition as was stated by the seller. There was water damage on the bottom 1/4 of the first 230 pages. I am only glad that I did not send this book as a gift but planned to keep it for myself.This vendor needs to be a little more careful with it's representation of condition. ... Read more

Product Description
"Graced with bounteous natural beauty, a stable democratic government, and friendly citizens, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Birds play a prominent role in attracting visitors, too. The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, and comical toucans only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country."--from the IntroductionThis is the one field guide the novice or experienced birder needs to identify birds in the field in the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica. It features descriptions and illustrations of more than 820 resident and neotropical migrant species found in Costa Rica, all in a compact, portable, user-friendly design. The detailed full-color illustrations show identifying features--including plumage differences among males, females, and juveniles--and views of birds in flight wherever pertinent. Additional features of this all-new guide include:

o 166 original color plates depicting more than 820 species.

o Concise text that describes key field marks for positive identification, as well as habitat, behavior, and vocalizations.

o Range maps and texts arranged on opposing pages from illustrations for quick, easy reference.

o The most up-to-date bird list for Costa Rica.

o A visual guide to the anatomical features of birds with accompanying explanatory text.

o Quick reference to vultures and raptors in flight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

Costa Rica Birding
This book is very well written and the drawings by Robert Dean are wonderful.The information is complete andinteresting.

It's okay for the "only game in town"
I am a North American birder with no tropical bird experience previous to my April, 2010 trip. Just returned and used this book in the field at La Selva OTS, Savegre Lodge, and Pacific lowlands areas near Jaco.Easy to carry and stood up to sweating, rain, bug spray, and lots of torturous bending and folding. I found the colors to be a little faded or less intense than the amazing birds all around us.I recommend taking the heavier, encyclopedic Stiles and Skutch book in your suitcase for background reading at your lodgings.I was with a small Audubon group and a local guide, so I did not have to rely on the Garrigues/Dean book for i.d.My guide, Noel Urena of Tropical Tours was a contributor to the book. However it was still handy to have for reference, study of each day's targeted birds, and as my checklist and notes.

David W.
Ideal for bird identification, without too much detail.Small size of guide makes for easy carry in the field.Lots of emphasis on comparison to similar species and how to differentiate.

Costa Rica Birds

Really glad I took it. as I was the only one with a bird book.And there were many new ones as well as a great time sharing with other travelers.

Solid, compact guide necessary for birding the country
Basics: softcover, 163 color plates show all 820+ species of Costa Rica, short paragraph focuses on identification; range map for each bird

This is the smallest of the three books to cover all the Costa Rican birds.This smaller size makes it a true field guide.Fortunately, its size does not sacrifice the necessary contents to identify all of the country's birds.As equally important, the size of the illustrations have not been sacrificed.These are equal to, if not larger, than the illustrations found in the two other bigger books.

All 820+ species of birds, including migrants and vagrants, are illustrated quite well.The text describing the birds may seem to be a bit scant at first, but the authors do a good job at relaying the salient points necessary for identification.Nearly all of the short paragraph is dedicated to the description of the bird.While most of the birds have their vocalizations notes, these descriptions can often be too brief.There is almost no mention of habitat or behavior; thus, truly making it a focused identification guide.For birders who may want additional natural history or behavioral information on the birds, the Birds of Costa Rica by Stiles/Skutch would make an excellent companion to this guide.

The range maps are 2 x 2cm and do a decent job at depicting the ranges of the birds despite the map's necessary small size.The ranges are shown with a single color which represents the birds' breeding and/or wintering grounds.These simple maps do not note any geographic points (e.g., city, park, mountain ranges), so it might be helpful to become acquainted with a map of Costa Rica to get a feel for the terrain of the country to help discern where the mountain ranges are located.

Many of the species are illustrated with multiple drawings.This occurs where there is notable plumage variations between genders, ages, or subspecies.As for the artistry itself, I am pleased.I consider the artwork to be better than the Birds of Panama book by Ridgely/Gwynne and a tiny bit better than Stiles/Skutch.Key identification points are illustrated quite well.The only negative aspect to me is the sharpness -- or lack of -- with the brightness or intensity of the colors.Most of the birds, especially the hummingbirds, seem to be faintly washed out; or, slightly "overexposed".It seems the grays, blacks, and rufous colors suffer the most.I suspect this is an artifact of the printing and not the original art work.

This is a great book to take to Costa Rica.If you can manage to take the larger Stiles/Skutch book as well, you'll have everything you need for the country.If you take only one book and identification is your primary purpose, take this smaller book.Again, I consider the illustrations to be a touch better than the Stiles book; and, there are a greater variety of plumages depicted here.I have the same comments about the Birds of Panama Book by Ridgely.Although the Panama book covers all Costa Rican birds, the plates are not as good and the book is certainly bulkier.However, I must admit the text is better, which is also true for Stiles. - (written by Jack at Avian Review / Avian Books, August 2008)

I've listed several related books below...
1) A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Stiles/Skutch
2) A Guide to the Birds of Panama by Ridgely/Gwynne
3) Photographic Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Fogden
4) Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide by Henderson
5) Aves De Costa Rica by Skutch
6) Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica by Henderson
7) Hummingbirds of Costa Rica by Fogden
8) An Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Soto ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (115)

Freindship
This a heart warmer for not only the sportsmen but the every day Joe. There friendship is one to envy.

Great Book
I'm a big Larry Bird fan (Celtics Fan) and I always enjoyed watching Bird and Magic compete against one another this is such a great book from both sides really get into their minds about basketball during the greatest time in the NBA (80's)

Enjoyable retrospective
I started to follow the NBA in the mid 80s, just as Bird and Magic were at the top, but about to surrender their place to the Bad Boys and eventually Jordan. MacMullan does a good job of recreating the careers and rivalries of Bird and Magic. There were lot of interesting anecdotes, my favorite being the time a black Bostonian walked up to Magic and told him we was rooting for him all the way because the Celtics were too white. (On the subject of race, Bird was no racist, Dennis Rodman notwithstanding). When The Game Was Ours is a well-written,enjoyable look back at a different and unique time in NBA history.

Fun trip down memory lane
If you read this book, you should really expect little more than nostalgia, stuff you basically already knew. You shouldn't expect that anything but the brief letters at the start of the book were actually written by Larry or Magic - the meat of the book is clearly all Jackie MacMullan's work. She does base much of it on interviews with Bird, Magic as well as most of their notable teammates and a few other key figures from during and just after the time when the game was theirs, especially informative were the quotes from NBA commissioner David Stern and Michael Jordan. But the extensive interviews would have to be a highlight of the book, providing fresh content even for people who are deeply familiar with Bird and Johnson's careers.

However, the book stops well short of providing any real depth. As it's officially written by Johnson and Bird that's largely to be expected - it breezes over the children both of them had out of marriage, for example. But there are some areas where MacMullan could have provided some more insight without offending the "authors", such as some serious insight into how their rivalry helped secure the NBA as a major sports league in America. She has some good analysis early on when describing the precarious situation of the league prior to their arrival, but precious few numbers ever arrive to show what they really did to help the league, we're just told that it happened. And while it's largely true, it's not a good sign when an author's just asking you to take their word for it.

The book lapses pretty badly into fandom in places, constantly referring to Michael Jordan as "his airness" for example. This isn't hard-hitting journalism, it's a fluff piece, an ode to a time when basketball players weren't covered in tattoos and spoke proper English. Not that there's anything wrong with nostalgia, but don't expect much insight out of this book.

Little lacking, but still good
This is a book you want to pick up if you are interested in the non-game stuff (there are enough game-related anecdotes as well) and about how the two thought of each other and interacted with each other, and especially how they felt once they saw that their dominance was fading.I think that's the part where it's most intriguing - a lot of it is left unwritten, but you get enough of a glimpse of their thoughts as they deal with their respective injuries and ailments and watch Jordan catapult into something that was only made possible because they revived (or rather, re-created) the league.

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Product Description
Forced to leave her family at thirteen and marry someone she has never met ...

Koly's parents have arranged a marriage for their only daughter and now, like many girls her age in India, she will leave home forever. She yearns to flee, but tradition dictates that it's too late to turn back. On her wedding day, Koly's fate is sealed.

Gloria Whelan's tale of a remarkable girl in an extraordinary situationwill linger with the reader long after the last page is read. Theshaping of Koly's life, as anyone's, is in her own hands, as well as thehands of the society in which she lives. Her ability to expressherself--and ultimately support herself--with her exceptional skill inembroidery is a symbol of the creative ingenuity that will serve herwell throughout her tribulations. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (191)

WOW
Dear Gloria Whelan.... I love you. I read this book in middle school in my english class, and fell in love with it. Years later, I purchased the book, and I still enjoy it as an adult. Koly is a very brave, gutsy heroine and I feel that I relate to her. I honestly wish the book was longer, and I was disappointed when I came to the end. I wanted to read more about Koly's life with Raji on their farm :). I like the many details that were used, and I felt that the way Koly's Sass was described, that *I* was being scolded in the story if that makes sense lol. Anywho, I honestly hope that this book would make a great movie one day. I really think it would. So Mrs. Whelan, if you ever read this, can you PLEASEEEE make a part two??? I'd be the first to buy it and the last to put it down! I've read 'Homeless Bird' over 80 times within the last few years seriously. Very talented author, and I'm a big fan. I love you Gloria!!!!!

A Glimpse Cinderella Style
Review of The Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelen
A powerful glimpse into another culture, Cinderella style.The disparities of the lives of a 13 year-old American girl and 13 year-old Koly, a Hindu in India, are sometimes so different that the reader wonders whether this is fantasy or science fiction.Readers will enjoy Koly's spirited attempts to control what she can in her life; making friends, creating bad food to get back at her nasty mother-in-law, and creating quilts of beautiful embroidery.Her indomitable spirit makes her a teenager that you like and remember.
Koly's parents arrange a marriage for her when her family needs to have more to eat.Her dowry is used by her husband's family to take him to the Ganges River for a "miracle cure". When he dies she is left with a quilt she embroidered to stave off her worries and a pair of silver earrings that she hides after her wedding.Her status as a widow dooms her to no future at all.In the Hindu culture she is considered bad luck.Her husband's family keeps her to do all the work and to collect her widow's pension to enhance their daughter's dowry.There is a point of great contrast in the story when her sister-in-law's good arranged marriage is described.
Later Koly is abandoned in the city of Vrindavan.In the story there are many abandoned widows, who live by sleeping on the streets, chanting prayers in the temples all day and being fed by monks.Koly finds her way to a charity house that helps her create a path to a new life.
Koly's ability to give her best at whatever she does, to continue to make plans, and take small steps to better her life allow you to imagine how wonderful her embroidery is and root for a happy ending.A great book to give to a whiney teenage girl; who thinks her life is awful.

Amazing
A wonderful story that intregues and really makes the reader feel the emotions in this book. Good for all ages

Great Book
I almost didn't get this book and now I'm so glad I did.It's the best book I've read recently.I'm stingy on my 5 stars, however I feel this one deserves it.

Koly's Saving Graces!
Rarely do I enjoy a young adult's novel, GLoria Whelan writes beautifully about an Indian girl, Koly, who is arranged to be married to Hari, a young sickly man, who needs her dowry to go to a religious city in India as a possible hope for a cure. Koly marries him anyway. THere is nothing written about the consumation of the relationship. Her husband is so ill that he dies on the journey. Koly becomes a widow which is unlucky in their culture. Koly must live with her husband's family which includes a wonderful sister-in-law Chandra who becomes her best friend and her saving grace in the marriage. Koly's mother-in-law treats her like a servant and her father-in-law dies leaving them both widows and poor at best. Koly's mother-in-law known as Sass abandons her in a foreign city to live with her brother in New Delhi. Koly doesn't know the address and Sass has left her alone with 50 rubies. She finds love and friendship in a rickashaw man, Raji, and she finds independence and work. Koly's other saving grace was her love of reading poetry. Koly and Raji have quite a love affair but nothing goes further. He wants to marry her and bring her to his village but she is torn between living in the city and being independent while becoming a wife and possible mother. ... Read more