Was Beethoven a Birdwatcher?: A Bird's Eye History of the World - Hardcover

'a collection of personal and quirky essays... thought-provoking and amusing, with some interesting and unusual background information.' Winter 2011

'a collection of personal and quirky essays... thought-provoking and amusing, with some interesting and unusual background information.'

Winter 2011

'This entertaining book offers weird, wonderful and often bizarre connections between human culture and the birds of the world...This humorous guide... is full of fascinating insights into the role of birds in human history and culture... An enjoyable read suitable for bird-watchers, nature lovers and all those interested in cultural history."

'simultaneously learned and highly entertaining.' (translated from German)

'Each page of this unique book gives both general facts, as well as weird and wonderful information about birds. Focusing on each bird's role in literatures, science, religion, fine art and popular culture, it is safe to say that every reader will learn something new... Though particularly fascinating for those who already have an interest in birds, all readers are guaranteed a new, highly informed, appreciation for our feathered friends after reading this book.'

`The book is also quirky in the much more positive sense of being strongly personal, often unexpected and quite original in conception. I recommend it as a most enjoyable book to dip into and savour - with a pinch of salt.'

Did the Cett’s Warbler inspire the opening notes of the last movement of Beethoven’s Second Symphony?

Who among a host of rivals wrote the best poem about the nightingale?

Is a James Bond film named after a duck?

Find out the answers to these ornithological conundrums and others in this engaging book that delves into literature, science, religion, fine art and popular culture to reveal how a bird can be far more than the sum of its feathered, winged and webbed parts. Worshipped as gods and damned as agents of the Devil in equal measure, birds have also fostered scientific breakthroughs and even helped provoke a war. This humorous and insightful guide is full of brilliant curios that even a magpie would envy.