Jul 21, 2008

Eye of the Albatross

Visions of Hope and Survival
by Carl Safina

I'm not really keen on birds, but this book took my breath away. Carl Safina takes us to a small group of islands near Hawaii, where the albatross gathers to breed. There he joins a group of scientists not only studying nesting seabirds, but also sea turtles and sharks. In eloquent language Safina paints a living picture of these birds' lives and the delicate ecosystem of the oceans they depend upon. Even in these far-flung islands uninhabited by man, there are grave indications of mankind's influence upon the environment: ocean pollution, birds and mammals choking on plastics, the pervasive presence of a weed unwittingly introduced by a visitor to the island. The bird colony was so vividly portrayed at times I felt I was sitting there myself among the screaming thousands- in a place beautiful, harsh and remote. Even if you think, like me, that birds are a rather alien species, I would recommend Eye of the Albatross. It is an incredible book.

Rating: 5/5 ........ 377 pages, 2002

More opinions at:
A Striped Armchair

4 comments:

  1. I recently read a Safina book-Voyage of the Turtle, and I think he's just an incredible writer!! If you haven't read that one, I think you'd really enjoy it. I plan to read Song for the Blue Ocean later this year. :D

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  2. Anonymous7/21/2008

    This looks great. I'll have to add it to my list.

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  3. Eva- I have those two titles on my list!

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  4. I'll have to look Safina up, thanks!

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