It's a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops

Book Description

Drawn to the mysteries of tropical rain forests and fascinated by life in the treetops, Meg Lowman has pursued a life of scientific exploration while raising her two sons, Edward and James Burgess. This book recounts their family adventures in remote parts of the world (Samoa, West Africa, Peru, Panama, India, Biosphere 2, and others), from the perspectives of both kids and parent. Together they explore tropical rain forests, encounter anacondas and piranhas, eat crickets as hors d’oeuvres, discover new species, and nurture a family ethic for conservation.
The chapters of the book focus on field biology questions, the canopy access methods developed to answer the questions, and conservation or education components of each expedition. Lowman enumerates the challenges and joys of juggling parenthood and career, and the children reflect on how their mom’s work has affected their lives. A rollicking, inspiring book, It’s a Jungle Up There is an upbeat portrayal of how a parent’s career can imprint children, and how children in turn can influence the success and trajectory of their parent’s career.

Customer Reviews:

Be warned.......2007-02-14

I suppose it depends what you're expecting. I felt a little deceived having read 'It's a Jungle Up There', not that it's Lowman's fault. The packaging, press and quotes suggested it might be something more, say along the lines of E O Wilson. But this is not an original look at man's relationship to the world. It's more of a cheerleading exercise for the mixture of motherhood and biology. It's filled with enthusiasm for nature, but also with personal asides and exlamation marks. ("Happy Anniversary Michael!"). At the risk of sounding like a real grinch, the book is unforgivably padded by pages written by her two sons. All of these essays, of which there are many, read like college applications. It's a thin book, aimed perhaps at a younger generation. People looking for meatier stuff should keep on looking.

"Canopy Meg" is the Perfect Role Model for All of Us.......2006-05-11

What a really terrific read! In this book Dr. Lowman has co-authored with her sons, we find a beautiful story of developing a conservation ethic for families. The tone is so positive and inviting, I felt like I was up in the canopy with them.

One of the really captivating elements of this book is the wonderful journal notes and essays by her sons. Their authentic voices make this a great book to share with young people. For example, her son's last touching essay in the book summarizes their family quest to combine science and spirituality in efforts to expand scientific research into a more global sense of responsibility through conservation. This is a topic seldom touched in science writing. What wise thoughful teenagers!

What I loved most about this book was that many parts of Lowman's story are the story of women in science, my story, about the challenges of balancing a career and the rest of our lives. Lowman's book is just the ticket for inspiration AND some reassurance that we can have a well-lived life that combines a passion for science with family and community. I am in awe of the courage it must have taken to share such a personal story, filled with adventure, challenge, adversity in the work place, loss, humor, and quite a few poisonous snakes. We could use an Earth of sons and daughters raised by her.

Lowman really is a role model for parents to become stewards of all of Earth's creatures, and her passion and work efforts certainly have made inroads to this goal. Through this story, Dr. Lowman and her sons will inspire and mentor thousands of current and future naturalists, both boys and girls. As I finished the last pages of this book, I decided I need to find my copy of her earlier book "Life in the Treetops" and read it again. What a terrific adventure.

I highly recommend "It's a Jungle Up There" and will be giving copies to all the young people I know for birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations. And I believe I will share it with a few adults who could use a great read, and a little vicarious adventure.

Notes On Meg's Book.......2006-02-28

Notes on Margaret Lowman's book, "It's a Jungle Up There---More tales from the Treetops," with Edward and James Burgess. Yale University Press, 2006.

Margaret Lowman is a remarkable woman scientist. I say this not only after reading this book and her first book, "Life in the Treetops," but because I had the rare opportunity to be her Executive Assistant for 8 months during 2002-2003 while employed at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. Meg is an inimitable, intriguingly interesting scientist, enthusiastic about canopy research, ecology, and her family. This excitement exudes from within her into one's very own, and no matter what one does, it cannot be ignored.

Likewise, "It's a Jungle Up There," is also enthralling. Her many scientific pursuits are entwined with her two boys' experiences in the field with her, into a wonderful and educational view of the world, its ecology and the workings of the world's ecosystems. For many single parents, Meg sets the stage as a fine example of "get up and go," and "leave no stone unturned." There appeared to be no obstacle that could not be overcome by personal persistence, with the end result of reaching the goal. Even small setbacks were used as stepping stones to move forward and to be used to a positive advantage.

Her chapters on canopy research, canopy walkways, encounters with internationals, and environmental ethics for families, educate the novice in this comparatively new research area. Providing her children with an always new and exciting way to experience life through nature is certainly an example parents and teachers should emulate.

The book is comfortable to read, has a glossary of terms and a selected bibliography for further reading on each chapter. An index of names and places referred to in the text also assists the reader for quick reference.

Both Meg's books are fine examples demonstrating what a person can do if willing to accept the challenges offered. Do some self-promotion and be cognizant of an ever-increasing need to be a guardian of the world's biosphere. As her Executive Assistant for even a very brief time, I am proud to have shared some of the pages of "the padded chair" with her, and will always recall Meg as a fair, straight and honest supervisor.

Susan A. Jarzen CPS
Secretary, Florida Museum of Natural History
February 27, 2006

Wonderfully Inspiring for Young and Old Alike.......2006-02-27

This book is a great read. Written by a mom-scientist and her two sons, it offers a captivating look into some of the most interesting natural environments around the world-all viewed from the treetops. Armchair ecologists, parents, kids, teachers, and tree climbers interested in adventure, science, and/or world travel will thoroughly enjoy this book. It's the perfect follow-up to Life in the Treetops.

Many of the anecdotes are laugh-out-loud funny (like hiding "the possible" in Samoa) while others are extremely touching. The photographs and drawings make this book feel like a family album of the most extraordinary kind.

Although the author and her sons have spent much time high in the tree tops and in the stratosphere of world-famous scientists, they come across as extremely down-to-earth, likeable folks. Our kids especially enjoyed hearing what the author's sons have to say about their own experiences as well as their reflections on religion, their mom's career, and our imperiled environment. We all came away with a new respect for plant ecology and a greater love of science and scientists.

Another Exciting Trip to the Treetops.......2006-02-14

It's a Jungle Up There is dedicated to parents "who struggle to balance career and family." The author, an internationally acclaimed scientist, gives a forestful of hope that it can be done.
The essays contributed by Eddie and James Burgess as they work in exotic locations, side by side with their Mom's rainforest research teams, show their path to Princeton University that is paved with respect for nature and for their fellow travelers on this fragile planet. Dr. Lowman informs and entertains on every page, making the reader understand how much better our daily lives can be with just a little bit of willingness to consider the interdependence of all human and natural ecosystems.
The authors write with wit and insight about navigating through all of the (natural and man-made)jungles of life. It's a great read.

Mafeking Diary: A Black Man'S View Of A White Man'S War
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Mafeking Diary: A Black Man'S View Of A White Man'S War
Sol T. Plaatje
Manufacturer: Ohio University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

South Africa | Africa | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 082140945X

The Boer War Diary of Sol T. Plaatje, An African at Mafeking
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The Boer War Diary of Sol T. Plaatje, An African at Mafeking
Sol T.); John L. Comaroff (editor) (Plaatje
Manufacturer: Cardinal / Sphere Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O2HXRW

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The Boer War diary of Sol T. Plaatje;: An African at Mafeking
Sol. T Plaatje
Manufacturer: MacMillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Southern Africa | Africa | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0869540025

Mafeking Diary -
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Mafeking Diary -
Sol Plaatje -
Manufacturer: Ohio University Press -
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000R9MTXU

The Mafeking Diary of Sol Plaatje
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The Mafeking Diary of Sol Plaatje
Sol T. Plaatje
Manufacturer: James Currey Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0852557809

The Boer War Diary of Sol T. Plaatje-an African at Mafeking
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The Boer War Diary of Sol T. Plaatje-an African at Mafeking

Manufacturer: Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FMMG2I

Customer Reviews:

A Book For Those Just Want the Facts, Ma'am........2004-09-12

Colin Chapman's book is one of a very few books that contends that, like every other problem, political answers are seldom satisfactory because they seldom recognize the real problem. Many Evangelicals have bought into a purely political view of the Middle East. This involves taking sides in an intense propaganda battle between Palistinians and Israelis.Colin Chapman does not take sides in the conflict but applies an accurate reading of history along with careful biblical scholarship to both protagonists. Some, whose minds are made up, won't want to be confused with the facts. For all others, this book is indispensable.

A must read for Christians.......2000-10-17

This book revolutionaized my perspective of Biblical prophecy. The terrible political position of Christian Zionism has created untold havoc in the Middle East. The violence and hatred is only supported by Christian Zionists who fatally misread Biblical text. Chapman does an excellent analysis of the situation and makes a prophetic call for Christians to change.

Unavoidable critique of Christian Zionism.......1998-09-21

Colin Chapman has taken on the unpleasant task of confronting a modern theological innovation that has captured the imagination of the evangelical church - dispensationalism. The concept, born in England in the mid-1800's as the brainchild of John Nelson Darby, has developed into a complex system of biblical interpretation that has become attractive due to its claim to a simple, straightforward, literal interpretation of the Bible. In Whose Promised Land?, Mr. Chapman brings together a myriad of voices on the topic, beginning with the oldest biblical texts, working his way through the historical maze of details and treaties, to the modern day crisis of the Palestinian people and the Jewish State. He does this successfully by letting the voices speak for themselves by way of extended quotes and detailed references for further research. After laying out the historical details, he makes biblical argument for the rejection of the dispensationalist's unqualified support for the State of Israel. For those interested in hermaneutics (biblical interpretation) and the sensitive issues involve, the trek through all the historical data will be worth your while when you arrive at the section entitled "Is there a word from the Lord?" The worst thing about this book is that it is currently out of print. This is unfortunate. For, any serious student of biblical prophecy and theology will want to have this book in their collection.

Average customer rating:

Superficially appears balanced, actually is profoundly partisan
Sadly unbiblical
Fair and balanced
Very arbitrary and biased
Review of "Whose Promised Land"

Whose Promised Land?
Colin Chapman
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Whose Land? Whose Promise?: What Christians Are Not Being Told About Israel and the Palestinians
Whose Holy City?: Jerusalem and the Future of Peace in the Middle East
Blood Brothers, exp. ed.
Christian Zionism: Road-Map to Armageddon?
On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israels Best Friend

ASIN: 0801064414
Release Date: 2002-09-01

Book Description

Two peoples, Jews and Palestinian Arabs, lay claim to the same piece of land. But who does it really belong to? Scripture, history, and contemporary politics add to the volatile conflict in the Middle East. Whose Promised Land?, now in a fully revised and updated fifth edition, provides an evenhanded approach to this complex dilemma. The book begins with the history of the territory, explaining the development of the conflict and the complexity of the issues. The second section surveys biblical teaching on the theme of the land, both from the Old Testament point of view and the perspective of Jesus and his followers. Building on the analysis of history and the biblical studies, the final part examines the major contemporary forces affecting the conflict today. Unlike many evangelical Christian books on the topic, Whose Promised Land? does not automatically assume a pro-Israel stance, but seeks to present an honest appraisal of modern Israel while clearly delineating the interrelated issues surrounding the crisis in the Middle East.

Customer Reviews:

Superficially appears balanced, actually is profoundly partisan.......2006-12-31

Colin Chapman's book is sprinkled with quotes from both 'sides', warns of the danger of older forms of anti-Semitism and focuses on some of the hardships Jews have suffered. It urges caution in forming judgement and maintains an appearance of objectivity and balance, including an interesting, if ironic, quote from Edward Said on the need for intellectual honesty.

However the foundation of his section examining the justice of the dispute is a favourable citation of Naeem Ateek, who himself part justifies suicide terrorism. In the quote Ateek claims biblical Naboth's murder and the theft of his property by the vile Ahab, 'has been re-enacted thousands of times since the creation of the State of Israel'. This fabricated accusation lies at the heart of the book's case.

Chapman almost completely ignores the defensive character of the 1948 and 1967 wars (almost as though the Poles and Czechs were responsible for Dresden or Hitler's 'murder' in 1945), the repeated calls for Israel's annihilation by Arab leaders and their media, the sharp difference in Arab and Jewish murder rates before 1948, and extremely oppressive British policies in handling refugees frm the Holocaust. Not surprisingly he also neglects to mention the Palestinian Grand Mufti's close association with the Nazis, meeting with Hitler and shared genocidal intentions.

His quotes are highly selective and I suspect many are sourced from the partisan Middle East Council of Churches, as well as some rather one-sided historians (Gentile and Jewish).

Let the reader beware of a carefully concealed but highly virulent bias against Israel!

Sadly unbiblical.......2006-12-16

I picked up this book as the result of hearing an interview of Mr. Chapman on Hank Hanigraff(sp?)s program. I found it alarming that Mr. Hanigraff endorsed this book. I also found it alarming that one reviewer at this web-site was so swayed by Mr. Hanigraff's endorsement that he commented accordingly. That reviewer is guilty of a transgression of which surely his "mentor" Mr. Hanigraff, would accuse him... namely neglect of a "Berean" (or critical) look at Mr. Chapman's work.

I did not look at Mr. Chapman's historical overview prior to writing this review so I have no right to comment on that section. However, I did read through his "Biblical" overview. I must say that his hermeneutics is not atypical of what one would find with classical anti-Semitic replacement theology which can be summarized as "If something good is said about Israel, it's really talking about the church and if something bad is said about Israel, it's really talking about the Jews."

Mr. Chapman replaces what God says with a human twist on what God "really meant". In essence, he is not biblical but humanistic. For instance, he says "... if you happen to be an Arab Christian, and find that you are identified in the minds of Israeli Jews with the ancient Canaanites and all the other tribes which Joshua defeated in the thirteenth century BC? How are you likely to think about the book which seems to give the Jews a divine right to take away your land in the twentieth century AD?" By making such a statement, therefore, according to Chapman, this must mean that God did not really promise the land to the Jewish people. On the contrary, it stands to reason that God would not make such a promise because He wouldn't want to slight other people (e.g. the Arabs) and have them reject his book.

This is utterly ridiculous (aside from the fact that wealthy Arabs sold the land to Israel and, contrary to popular opinion, the Arabs were not 'dispossessed' e.g. see full quotes of Moshe Dayan)! Scripture overwhelmingly supports the promised inheritance of the land by the Jewish people. Undoubtedly, however, the way that it will be governed according to the eschatological providence of God in the future will be far different than the way it is governed today. The fruits of this governance will be earmarked by the humility of its citizenry and visitors alike, with shared mutual respect. Scripture promises that "all the nations will flock to Jerusalem" to learn about the one true God of ISRAEL... the God who superintended the writing of the Bible. It promises that in that time, the world will be blessed in ways unfathomable because they are outside of our present realm of experience.

The Bible says "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring the Gospel of Good News who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God Reigns!'.(Isa. 52:7). Mr. Chapman calls for "Peacemakers". He proceeds to describe them. However, again, his description of a peacemaker is not the Biblical view of a peacemaker. A Biblical peacemaker is someone who not only practices the presence of God but preaches the Gospel of peace. Biblically speaking, the fundamental problem in the Middle East is not land. It's the fact that two warring people groups, en masse, do not know the love of God and His Gospel. From a Biblical standpoint, they have a misunderstanding of the nature of God, how He is to be worshipped and of His Messiah. If Mr. Chapman (and Mr. Hanigraff for that matter) claims to be Biblical then he must fundamentally accept that premise. If he did hold to that premise, his emphasis would not be a political discussion about the land, but the eschatological blessing that will ultimately come out of that land and more importantly, a call to challenge these people groups over the veracity of their world views by preaching the gospel of the Prince of Peace... Jesus the Messiah of the Jews and redeemer of all mankind including the Arabs. No where, in Mr. Chapman's Book is this even an issue of discussion!

Mr. Chapman makes many claims including a claim to being a "Christian" but a claim to being biblical ought not to be one of them.

Fair and balanced.......2006-07-02

I found this book to be both fair and balanced in its presentation of the evidence from both sides of the issue. Chapman relies much more on quoting historical sources than he does on giving his own opinion. He presents a very brief, readable, balanced history of the conflict from both sides. I have learned a lot from the book; it has definitely changed my opinion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and what the Christian response should be. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain an overall understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict quickly without a lot of extra verbiage and interpretation thrown in.

Very arbitrary and biased.......2005-12-02

Should people be allowed to have the human rights of life, liberty, and property? Does that mean they ought to be allowed to bid for land? And acquire it if they are high bidders? And live on that land without getting murdered, robbed, or evicted? I think so!

Well, that's all the Zionists did. They bought some land at high prices and improved it. Some racists who were stunned by the emancipation of the despised Jews tried to steal it back and assert their Superiority to mere Jews. But so far, these people have not succeeded in swiping the land back.

Of course, one can ask if the Zionists were a little too greedy. They did wind up with around ten thousand square miles of land, for a mere 5 million people. But anyone who looks at the sizes of other nations will realize that whether the Zionists are greedy or not, Israel is amazingly land-poor. Meanwhile, the Arabs have 5,500,000 square miles!

This author seems to want to find excuses that will support a conclusion that the Jews ought not be entitled to human rights or land in the Levant. Oh, he's willing to be practical and allow them to exist there, as if making a concession to Evil. But I think he really wants them to falsely confess that they have no right to do so.

Still, this book is not entirely unbalanced. It mentions a number of historical facts about the conflict, and it often gets some of them right. And it does admit that there has been such a phenomenon as anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, Chapman then goes on to paint a completely preposterous picture of the conflict. He does so by quoting many well-known people, but then appearing to agree with some of the most racist and mendacious opponents of Jewish rights the world has seen, such as Hanan Ashrawi, Naim Ateek, Norman Finkelstein, David Hirst, and Ed Said.

Well, what possible solutions are there to the conflict? Chapman discusses some of them:

1) There might be a "one-state" solution. Chapman says this is no good, as the Arabs would quickly outnumber the Jews, just by having more children. While that may be true, I think we ought to be careful to remember that Israel is land-poor. I can't believe we ought to restrict five million Jews to a little Bantustan, especially on the grounds that such a Bantustan is too large!

2) There might also be a single secular state. But that idea was tried before, and it did not work.

3) The Levantine Arabs might be defeated. Chapman scoffs at this idea, implying that one would need to kill every Arab to do that. But the Japanese were defeated in World War Two, and not every Japanese was killed. The Sudeten Germans were defeated in World War Two, and while it did entail defeating Germany, not all Germans were killed (nor were all Sudeten Germans killed).

4) Israel might be annihilated, but Chapman doesn't like it. Too bloody! I agree with him about that, and I have a couple of other problems with it. For one thing, Israel has not been the problem, so getting rid of it will not solve anything. In addition, it's usually a bad precedent to let aggression, lies, and destruction triumph.

Chapman says that all this leaves the two-state solution, which is, after all, is considered by many to be a reasonable idea. I don't like this idea because one of the states would almost surely be an anti-state, committed not to serving its citizens but to hurting and destroying a neighboring and genuine nation. In addition, Chapman wants to ethnically cleanse as many Jews as possible from the disputed West Bank. I think that would be a horrible precedent, and one day we'd see all sorts of people evicted from all sorts of areas, for equally absurd reasons. Only this time, they might not be Jews, so more people might realize the problem!

Oh yes, whose land is it? Chapman says it belongs to God. I disagree very strongly. First of all, I am a Pagan, and I recognize only real Gods and Goddesses, not the monotheist god. And second, as Jefferson said, the land belongs to the living. We living humans are the ones who live on the land and improve it or run it down. And we need to take responsibility for what we do to it. Claiming that we do not own it relieves us from that responsibility.

Christians own land, and they're sovereign over some of it. Muslims own land, and they're sovereign over some of it. Let's allow Jews to own land and be sovereign over some of it as well. And let's reject arbitrary and ad hoc excuses to make the Jews special people who are somehow not entitled to such rights.

Review of "Whose Promised Land".......2005-08-02

Very well balanced study of this central problem facing the world today. Chapman first presents a historical view of the problem, then looks at biblical claims to the Land.

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Israel: Whose Promised Land?
James D Hacker
Manufacturer: Xulon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

History | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1594675104

Whose promised lands?: A political atlas of the Middle East and India (Headline series)

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Whose promised lands?: A political atlas of the Middle East and India (Headline series)
Samuel Van Valkenburg
Manufacturer: Foreign Policy Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Whose Promised Land?

Manufacturer: LION PUBLISHING (ADU
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GT838Q

Book Description

A successful painter and sculptor living in a woodland studio, Linda Johns has become widely known as the "Bird Lady" for her work in rescuing and caring for birds and other wildlife. She began by taking in the occasional wounded or orphaned bird that came her way; today she shares her home with an ever-shifting population of birds and other creatures, some of whom have moved in to stay.
In A Feathered Family, Johns writes lyrically about the natural world around her studio. Enhanced by the author's drawings of many of her avian housemates, this charming book is a must-read for all wildlife lovers.

Customer Reviews:

Mostly loved it........2007-03-21

One of my favorite genres of books these days includes the memoirs of people who share their lives with formerly-wild animals. I've got a Listmania list going, in fact, and I'll be including this book on that list just as soon as I finish this review.

This book definitely rates among the better books of that genre. The author shares her home with a variety of birds, including pigeons, roosters, a quail, and many others. She is known in her area for her knowledge of wild birds and their illnesses, so she frequently takes in and tends to injured birds brought by neighbors.

Her stories of these birds, both the type that come to her for brief convalescence, as well as those who live with her permanently, are very charming and sweet. The stories are made more fun by the lovely illustrations that accompany the stories, and which were rendered by the author herself. You'll be in love with Bubble and Squeak and Basho right away, no doubt.

I suppose I must admit I did not especially care for the passages where the author waxes philosophical. This genre of memoir seems almost of necessity to include alternating chapters of this sort, and I almost invariably find them tedious and I always find them meandering. So I wind up skimming, as I did here.

Also, the author's love affair with adverbs was distracting. Things never just happened, they happened "gingerly" or "insistently". Which is fine but if it happens so much that I start noticing it, then it's too much.

Having said all that, this author has some chops and spins a lovely yarn.

Entertaining reading for all bird and wildlife enthusiasts.......2001-03-14

Linda Jones is an accomplished painter and sculptor who lives in a woodland studio and became widely known as the "Bird Lady" because of her work in rescuing and caring for birds and other wildlife. She began by tending the occasional wounded or orphaned bird that came her way and today shares her home with an ever-shifting population of birds and other creatures -- some of whom having moved in to stay! In A Feathered Family: Nature Notes From A Woodland Studio, Linda Johns writes lyrically and engagingly about the natural world around her studio and the feathered characters who visit her and who share her home. With a natural talent for storytelling, Johns regales the reader with funny, affectionate stories enhanced with her drawings of avian house mates. A Feathered Family is enthusiastically recommended and entertaining reading for all bird and wildlife enthusiasts.

I want this woman's life.......2001-01-24

I started reading this book for my job, which means I didn't have any expectations. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Linda Johns' writing is a perfect winter read since her lyrical prose is like a warm blanket. She invites you into her world of rural simplicity without any presumptions and introduces you to her feathered family of roosters, pigeons, quails, robins, blue jays and who ever else happens to fly in and out of those pages. Yet Johns doesn't concentrate solely on the birds in her life, she also speaks of the harmonious connection she has with the lanscape around her and the significance of time and seasons. Her life and writing is like a magical dream and she has the rare talent on offering that feeling to her readers. I know this book is great since I would rather sit with a cup of hot apple cider and read than watch any prime-time television shows.

For the Birds: Nature Notes from a Woodland Studio

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Effortless Read
Birdlovers will cherish this wonderful book....

For the Birds: Nature Notes from a Woodland Studio
Linda Johns
Manufacturer: McClelland & Stewart
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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Birds of a Feather: Tales of a Wild Bird Haven

ASIN: 0771044089
Release Date: 2000-09-15

Book Description

Linda Johns is for the birds – in the best possible way. She began by taking in the occasional wounded or orphaned birds that came her way, and soon neighbours found that she was a welcome source of advice – and sanctuary – for the strays they found, but couldn’t shelter.

Today she shares her home with an ever-shifting population of birds – some of whom have moved in to stay. In For the Birds, she writes lyrically about the natural world around her studio, and with verve and humour about the feathered characters who visit or share her home. Each of them has a distinct personality and Linda Johns’ gift for storytelling – in the James Herriot tradition – brings them so vividly alive that they practically fly off the page.

Here, among many others, are: Bubble and Squeak, the roosters, who like nothing better than cuddling up on a friendly lap for an evening snooze; Basho, the Japanese quail, whose birthday is celebrated with the reading of festive haiku verses; Chip, the grackle, who sometimes breaks into nest-building frenzies that incorporate the strangest items; and Desmond, the gentle pigeon, who has faithfully courted his “mate,” Molly, through years of persistent rebuffs.

Full of wonderfully funny and affectionate stories – and enhanced by Linda Johns’ black-and-white brush drawings of many of the birds – this is a book suffused with knowledge and love of nature in all four seasons.

Customer Reviews:

Effortless Read.......2004-03-06

If you're into birding, birds, or just curious about what it would be like to actually share your home with several colorful (feathered) characters (no cages!) -- check out this book. Ms. Johns relates her true accounts of sharing a life with birds with compassion and much humor, revealing her ultimate goal to rehabilitate and release birds back into their natural habitat. In addition to her recollections of individual avian personalities, she also explores deeper philosophical themes, often in tandem with her beautiful artwork generously peppered throughout the book. Her descriptions of the Nova Scotia four seasons, so much an artistic backdrop to the book, are rich and entertaining. You can almost be there with her, and want to be!
I am definitely going to read more stories by this talented writer/artist/bird-lover! Hope you'll check out her books, too.

Birdlovers will cherish this wonderful book...........2003-09-16

I had childlike zeal as I joyously read about Linda's love of the natural world,especially birds.The author's drawing talents are beautifully woven with her gift of writing-rich,reverent,and funny.Her awe for nature and her respectful approach to all
living things is to be imitated by all.Though some words are weighty,children should definitely read this book as well as adults.I was as happy as a child as I read about her outdoor adventures and excited when a new bird member joined the household!This book has become an instant favourite,and I certainly can see myself rereading it,as so many times have I revelled in the author's creaive,rich use of words to describe the beauty/mystery of her nature treks.....wow.And how wondrous.

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