Ten Thousand Birds: Ornithology since Darwin

This is a great history of ornithology written by some of the most knowledgeable and articulate biologists around. The authors have identified the key contributions of ornithologists and by examining the development of the ideas by persons past and present they make ornithology come alive for us. The writing is far from stodgy and is instead lively and compelling. A delight from start to finish.

A spectacular social and scientific history of ornithology, highlighting controversies and their outcomes as the discipline matured. The illuminations of key figures are especially fascinating. Every modern bird person, no matter his or her level of engagement with ornithology, will enjoy and benefit from this major contribution.

The info is comprehensive & impressive, but by far the most enjoyable part was the thumbnail biographies at the end of each chapter. A wonderful read and a great resource that I will enjoy referring to for years to come.

Fantastic Compendium of the history of ornithology with great comments and beautiful pictures. All you need is this volume and a copy of Sibley's Guide to North American Birds to be a satisfied bird watcher in this part of the world.

A good but long read for the person very intersted in ornitholoty.

This is an interesting book, if you are REALLY into birds.

This was interesting, but the terminology and detail would interest an ornithologist or biologist, but not an interested layman (like me). It was difficult to finish this book.

fast delivery as described - perfect - we have added it to the Audubon Collection in the Palm Beach County Library

This fascinating and beautiful book is a must for anyone with a serious interest in birds, ornithology and evolutionary theory.Topics covered include: the debates surrounding the evolutionary origins of birds; the speciation process; classification; migration; breeding behaviour; sexual selection; learned and instinctive behaviour; population studies; and conservation.But the book does not just feature the birds and the science. It also tells the story of the human personalities involved in the development of ornithology since Darwin.For example, there is Ernst Mayr, who was both a field ornithologist and also one of the most important evolutionary theorists of the twentieth century. Mayr was still writing books on evolution when he was in his nineties, and his ideas were particularly important in explaining speciation: the process through which a new species branches off from an already existing one.Mayr wrote that “... birds are a marvellous stepping-stone in three directions: towards evolution, towards systematics, and towards biogeography.”Then there are Peter and Rosemary Grant, who carried out a long-term study of the finches on the Galapagos Islands, a study which (like Mayr’s theoretical approach) revealed much about the speciation process through which the finches have diversified.I’ll just mention one more of the many interesting characters from the book, and that is Rachel Carson. Carson’s book “Silent Spring” (1962) played a crucial role in bringing to public attention the damage being done by DDT and other pesticides. For her pains, she was subjected to vicious attacks by the agrochemical industry and its hired intellectual thugs.This book is not cheap, but it is well worth the money. I strongly recommend it.Phil Webster.

Bought as a present. Being enjoyed by the recipient.

Good, but a bit technecal

An excellent book

Very good