Product Description
A dark-suited man is shot dead as he runs for a bus in the piazza of a small town. The investigating officer suspects the mafia, and soon finds himself up against a wall of silence and vested interests. As he uncovers a chain of nasty crimes, bystanders and watchers, complicit with secret power, gossip among themselves. Their furtive conversations have only one end: to stop the truth from coming out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Crime in the Blood
Leonardo Sciascia's short novel is both a crime story and more; it is also a poem of love and despair for his native Sicily. It opens with a man shot dead in a town square while running for a bus. It looks like a Mafia hit, but nobody will talk; all the potential witnesses have conveniently forgotten anything they might have seen. But Captain Bellodi, who has come down from his native Parma to take charge of the local carabinieri, soon achieves results with his unusual approach to investigation, and before long arrests three suspects, one of them a man of some prominence in the town.

These sections describing the investigation are not so different from what you would expect in any well-written police procedural, and this one is indeed well-written. But they alternate with a series of dialogues between unnamed but mostly highly-placed individuals commenting at a distance on the news coming out of Sicily about Bellodi's actions. Starting as an almost comedic device, these conversations gradually reveal the extent of the support that the Mafia enjoys, its root tendrils reaching even to the highest levels of government in Rome. The whodunnit aspect is essentially over before the halfway point in the book; the tension comes from whether Bellodi can make the charges stick, and what the nameless others can do to prevent him.

Bellodi is an unusually likeable detective, intelligent, humane, and with none of the quirks that are so often attached to his confreres in the police fiction genre. But these qualities may not be enough to combat a pattern of crime so deeply embedded in the blood and bones of Sicily. Indeed Sciascia himself, in a coda to the book, remarks that the novel he published is only a shadow of the novel he originally wrote, for fear of stirring up retaliation. "I was unable to write with that complete freedom to which every writer is entitled (and I call myself a writer only because I happen to put pen to paper)." It is neither a deep book nor especially hard-hitting, but what Sciascia wrote with that pen is eminently readable, and we can easily guess the rest.

"Truth is at the bottom of a well"
It would not be seriously misleading to categorize THE DAY OF THE OWL as "crime fiction", but it is more than the typical crime fiction of entertainment and escapism.In truth, it transcends the genre and stakes a claim to being serious literature.

The novel, written in 1962, tells the story of the police investigation of a murder in a small town in Sicily by means of a double dose of lupara ("wolf-shot" or a cartridge loaded with five to seven ball-bearings, one of the mafia's signature methods of execution).Two more murders occur: one of an inadvertent witness, the other of an informant.The investigator is Captain Bellodi, transferred to Sicily from Parma and beyond the tentacles and traditions of the mafia.Keenly intelligent and scrupulously polite, Bellodi is a wily interrogator; without ever resorting to violence he manages to solve the murders and extract confessions.But in Sicily, confessions are not enough, as Bellodi learns after he is mysteriously ordered to return to Parma before he can see through to a conclusion prosecution of the murders in Sicily.

The novel reminds me somewhat of the more recent series by Andrea Camilleri, also set in Sicily and featuring Inspector Montalbano.But the three Montalbano novels I have read pander to many of the tropes of detective crime fiction, confining them to their genre.In contrast, in THE DAY OF THE OWL Sciascia does not resort to sex, sensationalistic violence, vulgar language, or a lusty and sexually irresistible detective as his hero.Beyond that, what elevates THE DAY OF THE OWL is the quality of the writing and the picture the novel provides of post-WWII Sicily.

This volume contains an excellent six-page introduction by George Scialabba.From it I learned that author Leonardo Sciascia (b. 1921, d. 1989) was one of the first authors, and also one of the most relentless, to write about the mafia and its pervasive corruption of civilized life in Sicily.The introduction quotes Sciascia writing that "all my books taken together form * * * a Sicilian book which probes the wounds of past and present and develops as the history of the continuous defeat of reason and of those who have been personally overcome and annihilated in that defeat."That statement certainly comprehends THE DAY OF THE OWL. The book also evinces a concern that the Sicilian "government of the lupara" might engulf all of Italy as well.Then there is the matter of indirect censorship: in a "coda" to the novel, Sciascia writes that in other Western nations (the U.S., England, France, Sweden), a writer might portray "imbecile generals, corrupt judges and crooked police", but not in Italy; to steer clear of charges of libel and slander, he had to painstakingly revise and prune his novel, so that, in the end, "I was unable to write it with that complete freedom to which every writer is entitled."

THE DAY OF THE OWL amounts to a thoroughgoing condemnation of Sicilian society - from the mafia, to the cowed public that lets it dominate them, to corrupt politicians, to irresponsible journalists.But the singular achievement of Sciascia in the book is that the story always comes first.

The Day of the Owl (New York Review Books Classics)
Excellent service, prompt delivery, excellent conditon
as described, packaged well.
Would use again.

Sicilian crime noir.
Sciascia, born in Sicily, was trained as a teacher, became a deputy in the national assembly and, later, a member of the European Parliament. In later life he turned to writing, his chosen form being the detective story with a definite noir flavor.

This is the second of Sciascia's books that I've read. The other was "To Each His Own"; comments in this review apply to both. Though I'm not sorry I read the books, I didn't really enjoy them all that much. The recurring theme in all of Sciascia's work is the corrosive influence of the Mafia in Sicilian life, leading to a corruption that infects all of Italian politics, and making a mockery of justice. There are at least six murders between "The Day of the Owl" and "To Each His Own" and they all go unpunished (well, technically I suppose one might have to classify retaliatory murder as a kind of punishment, so that's not strictly true).

The dark view of the world that pervades the books didn't bother me all that much - I suspect it may be a justified reaction to the situation in Sicily at the time (late 1950's, early 1960's). But Sciascia's focus is a little one-note; he lacks the complexity of, say, Patricia Highsmith, whose books inhabit a similarly morally compromised universe, but are considerably more interesting.

I also found the style of "The Day of the Owl" problematic due to a combination of
# clumsy translation ('arid-feeling eyeballs'!)
# Sciascia's habit of abbreviating placenames by initials (people are constantly driving from A. to C., with occasional detours to visit S.),
# untranslated Sicilian vocabulary words scattered throughout the text ( lupara, cosca, parrinieddu, ingiuria, zicchinetta, briscola, bargello, chiarchiaro, barrugieddu: each of these can be translated into English, so why weren't they?)
# the author's predilection for overly long paragraphs

Even though the book is only 125 pages long, it took me forever to finish. Sadly, part of the book's opacity may have resulted from Sciascia's fear of reprisal; in a coda to the book, explaining why he had pruned initial drafts severely, he writes:
"pruning was ... self-defence against possible reaction by any who might consider themselves more or less directly attacked... One thing is certain, however: I was unable to write it with that complete freedom to which every writer is entitled."

An interesting book, but I can't give it a strong recommendation.

And the Witness Asked, "Has there been a shooting?"

The New York Review Books Classics series brings another excellent writer and storyteller to the attention of a wider audience with the publication of 'The Day of the Owl' by Leonardo Sciascia. 'The Day of the Owl' opens with the murder of an honest Sicilian contractor - on a public street in front of a bus load of commuters as well as a street peddler. When the caribinieri arrive to question the witnesses, they all suffer a failure of memory. When asked `who fired the shots?' the peddler responds with apparent astonishment: "Why, has there been a shooting?"

Captain Bellodi takes over the investigation and determines the likely involvement of the Mafia in eliminating a businessman who would not play by their crooked rules. The progress of Bellodi's investigation is intermingled by Sciascia with behind-the-scenes discussions among the Mafiosi and their political and business partners. The greater Bellodi's progress the higher the level of discussion and the greater the anxiety. Bellodi brilliantly attempts to maneuver three participants, each at a higher rung than the one before, in the murder into incriminating one another. If Bellodi obtains the confessions will even that evidence withstand the corruption of a rigged system of justice?

Sciascia sweeps the reader along in this brief exciting novel, yet still manages to explore what The Observer called the "silent complicity and self-deception" of Sicilian and Italian society. The reader may also enjoy Sciascia's Equal Danger (New York Review Books Classics), To Each His Own (New York Review Books Classics), and the The Wine-Dark Sea (New York Review Books Classics). Highly recommended.
... Read more

Product Description
How do owls see so well at night? Where do they stay during the daytime? Why are their eyes so big? Renowned artist and naturalist Jim Arnosky answers these and many more questions in this wondrous introduction to owls. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Gift
This was a part of a gift all about owls along with a snowy owl adoption, and a disect owl puke experiment.The book was very nicely done and informative.

Great Book
I like that the author showed us almost all the owls. I learned more than I ever knew about owls. I thought that owls in only one country, but this book told me that there are owls in different countries. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

owl Screech and Snowy
This book is great.The illustrations show great looks at the feathers and other parts of the birds.Great for carving.

woodcarver
I have been a bird carver for around 20 years.My focus has been on songbirds. I have always strived for realism which is the result of studying the detail.I am now moving into birds of prey and this book is outstanding.The detailed reference in this book will allow me to accomplish today what took me 5 years of observation and study on songbirds.

Owl artist reference
Phenominal reference for any artist, flat or sculptural!The comprehensive photo and sketch poses leave no feather or posture for the imagination to fill in.Shows measurements singley and in proportion to the other parts of the body, even each specific primary feather!An absolute must have reference for these two owls.

Very pleasant , nice and useful
236 pages of informations and pictures
very useful for sketching ,drawingsand carving
no hesitation to recommand this book

Attention; young and mature wise owls.
The Illustrated Owl is an outstanding reference book in all aspects. The plates are clear and accurate; this is
a book that any wood carver should have in their library as well as wildlife artists and naturalists. I am not
aware of any other owl book that has the wealth of information that is presented in The Illustrated Owl. I
highly recommend this book for all public and private libraries. ... Read more

Product Description
 
In 1321, the English town of Ulewic teeters between survival and destruction, faith and doubt, God and demons. Against this intense backdrop, a group of women have formed a beguinage, a self-sustaining community of women. Led by the strong-willed Servant Martha, these women are committed to a code of celibacy and prayer, hard work and charity that is unsanctioned by the all-powerful church. Still, the villagers have come to rely on this remarkable group of women for their very lives. And seeking shelter among them now is the youngest daughter of Ulewic’s lord, a man who holds power over them all.

But when a series of natural calamities strikes, the beguinage’s enemies make their move, stirring the superstitious villagers with dark rumors of unspeakable depravities and unleashing upon the defiant all-female community the full force of their vengeance in the terrifying form of the Owl Killers. Men cloaked in masks and secrecy, ruling with violence and intimidation—the Owl Killers draw battle lines. In this village ravaged by flood and disease, the women of the beguinage must draw upon their deepest strength if they are to overcome the raging storm of long-held secrets and shattering lies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

I Broke The Rule
I had a personal rule that I would never pay more than $9.99 for a Kindle edition of any book. But I had downloaded and enjoyed the sample of "The Owl Killers," and only when I went to order did I realize the book (at the time of this review) was over the set limit.

But I was already hooked. THAT'S how they gitcha! Fortunately, it was worth it.

This book centers around a group of women ("Beguines") who aren't nuns, but who live a spiritual life devoted to service. It is the early 1300s. They had traveled to England from Belgium before the story begins, a time when a crossroads between pagan tradition, the Catholic church, fear and "modern" spiritual thinking collide. Modern for the Middle Ages, anyway.

Various characters advance the story from their personal viewpoints, including a child from town, a landowner's daughter cast out from her home, the village priest and women from the Beguinage.

Layered with minutiae detail of life at the time adds delicious and frightening texture to what otherwise might have been a basic ghostly story of greed and horror. Fans of "Pillars Of The Earth" and "World Without End," maybe also those with an abiding interest in the Salem witch trials, should enjoy this book very much.

It was interesting to read how each character saw the other. The Servant Martha (the leader of the communal group) presents a kind, thoughtful manner, while others in the group complain that she's cold and unyielding. We all think we know who we are. If we could look into the minds of those around us, they might disagree.

The writer, Karen Maitland, shares a fascinating look at history from an unusual vantage point. The brutality back in the day is shocking. Through this aspect, she also puts a microscope on brutal conditions that still exist in parts of the world today. She did a masterful job.

A final note: if some think that Maitland couldn't latch on to whether the "Owl Masters" were real or myth within the story, I would argue that the characters themselves didn't know. This character believed, that character didn't; it's part of what made the book such a non-stop read. Enjoy!

Mixed bag
I greatly enjoyed Maitland's previous novel, this one not as much.Although the setting is well realized and the plot interesting, the novel is relentlessly anti-male, has too many characters, and sometimes drags.

Atmospheric medieval tale
The Owl Killers is a story set in 1300's England where both Christianity and paganism are fighting for a foothold in the tiny village of Ulwich.The village is torn between the Church's demanding of their share of their meager earnings, the payments to the lord of the manor and the Owl Masters who use terror and superstition to try bring the people back to ancient pagan ways.Into this mix comes a group of Christian women who live in their own beguinage, a community where they live without men as celibates but without taking the veil.When the village is struck by disaster after disaster both the Church and The Owl Masters seek to blame the women for all the bad luck coming their way, this despite the fact that this self sufficient group has shared their food, cared for the ill and sheltered those in need. The tension slowly ratchets up until the dramatic conclusion.

Maitland is quite adept at rich details that make you see and feel the desperation of this small village and the conflict between different factionsthat takes no heed of those in desperate need. The story is told in alternating voices, those of the women of the beguinage; Father Ulfrid- the inept village priest; the young daughter of the manor; one of the poor children of the village; an embittered member of the beguinage; each provides a distinct point of view of the village and the events occurring around them.

My one complaint is that the story sometimes weaves between brutal reality and witchcraft blended with the supernatural; I would have liked a clearer point of view.What I really appreciated where both the glossary of medieval terminology and the author's notes that provided a wonderful explanation of the climate changes that occurred at that time as well as the background into the formation ofthebeguinage- which existed in many parts of Europe right through 1927.Well researched, well written and very atmospheric. Definitely worth the read if you enjoy medieval historical fiction.

A medieval tale of strong women
Set in the rural English village of Ulewic in 1321, Maitland's atmospheric tale of medieval superstition, unrelenting poverty and strong women seethes with intrigue, witches and mud.

At its center is a "beguinage," a religious commune of laywomen, self-sufficient outsiders whose prosperity in the face of the villagers' ill fortune rouses fear and resentment. The founders of the beguinage are immigrants from Bruges, answering the call to bring "the hope of freedom for all women" to England.

A few local women have joined them, but as the story proceeds, the beguinage finds itself besieged by both the pagan Owl Masters, who scheme ruthlessly to regain power, and the Catholic Church, led by a weak and desperate priest who has lost control of his flock. Both sides denounce them as witches, a dangerous accusation in these superstitious times.

The beguines are run by a council who dub themselves Marthas: Healing Martha, Kitchen Martha, Merchant Martha, Shepherd Martha, gate Martha and the leader, Servant Martha. Of these, only Gate Martha is local. Other locals include a strapping peasant woman who's had enough of men and the youngest daughter of the manor family, cast out by her father after being raped in the woods by an Owl Master.

The narrative unfolds in alternating voices: Servant Martha, who struggles to choose the righteous path whatever the cost; Osmanna, the traumatized, quick-witted manor girl, Father Ulfrid, the priest who schemes to keep his lover and regain his cathedral posting, Beatrice, a beguine whose desperation for a child blights her life, and Pisspuddle, a village child who sees and endures much she doesn't understand.

Ulewic teeters on the edge of subsistence. A few bad years (Dark Ages climate change) tips the village into a spiral of hunger and pestilence, leaving them vulnerable to superstition and conflict. Maitland portrays the poverty in detail so vivid you can almost taste the weak, sour broth, and smell the cold, dank mud that covers the ground.

However, she also pads the narrative with too much religious/philosophical hand wringing, and the plot, for all its drama and tension, is thoroughly predictable as the struggle between corrupt Church and vicious Owl Men sweeps the villagers and the beguinage into its vortex.

Still, Maitland's (Company of Liars) skill with atmosphere draws the reader into the plight of her characters and keeps the pages turning.

Maitland gives historical context in an afterward, particularly on the beguinages, which flourished for centuries in Europe, though not England. The Bruges beguinage was founded in 1245 and disbanded in 1927.She also includes a glossary of medieval terms.

Disturbing, and not worth the effort
What a bizarre and disturbing book.It's ostensibly a historical novel, set in 1321 England, but the fictional village of Ulewic is strange enough that at various points in the book I had to tell myself "pretend it's not supposed to be history, read it as fantasy." The plot, such as it is, is about the various trials and tribulations of the village and the nearby beguinage (a religious community of women who haven't taken formal vows as nuns).The notion of a Celtic-ish cult and/or secret society (this is not a spoiler since it is revealed within the first 20 pages) surviving into the 1300s will prove difficult to swallow for anyone with a working knowledge of medieval history.The bizarreness and the disturbingness come from the parade of disasters that plague the characters, the shifting voices and points of view, and the unremitting unpleasantness of about 90% of the characters and nearly all of the descriptions.The author clearly subscribes to the "nasty, dirty, ignorant" image of the Middle Ages.All of my minor quibbles with the book are exacerbated by the author's tendency to make certain things deliberately confusing in order to spring "surprises" on us later. ... Read more

Product Description
This engaging chronicle of how the author and the great horned owl "Bubo" came to know one another over three summers spent in the Maine woods--and of how Bubo eventually grew into an independent hunter--is now available in an edition that has been abridged and revised so as to be more accessible to the general reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great book, but ends abruptly
I really enjoyed this book about raising and observing a great horned owl.However, I was disappointed by the ending.Most of the book is about 2 summers and then in approximately one paragraph he sums up an entire year. Was there nothing to write about Bubo's last winter with him?I noticed that this is an's abridged edition.I wonder what was left out?

One Man's Owl
This book was in mint condition and I was happy that I was able to get a copy of it.I have ordered many books recently and have been thrilled with the condition of my book orders.

Fascinating
This book details Bernd Heinrich's experiences with an abandoned owl that he chose to raise by hand.Heinrich is a well-known scientist who specializes in animal behavior.Because of his extensive scientific publications and experience with wild animals, he was granted the necessary permits to raise the baby owl that he found in the woods one day.The owl had fallen out of its nest and was buried in a snowbank.When Heinrich first pulled him out, the bird was in very poor condition, but with a bit of care, he was able to nurse him back to health.He was aware however, that in doing so, he would be responsible for meeting all of this infant bird's needs for months or even years to come.In this book, a journal of the owl Bubo's first three years, Heinrich details all that he learned through his association with Bubo.

Heinrich is a patient and gifted observer.He is also a scientist with a long list of questions about owl behavior.He is able to find answers to many of his questions simply by observation, but others require experiments. His experiments always involve authentic behaviors, such as mobbing or catching food, rather than artificially conceived tasks.Some of the experiments can be completed through focused observation, but one described in this book, involving whether mobbing behavior of predators is innate or learned, required the raising of additional birds, a pair of crows.

In this book, Heinrich provides much background material on owls, in addition to all of his observations.This is not just a reference book about owls, however, but also a model record of the vast amount of information that can be learned through the careful observation of just one animal.The book includes an extensive list of references and an index.

very enjoyable read
Heinrich has a way of writing that makes a person understand the relations between people and animals. He makes me laugh at some of the interactions. I very much enjoyed this book.

A WORD ON "OWLS"
BERND HEINRICHIS ONE OF THE BEST AUTHORS IN THE LIFE SCIENCE FIELD. HIS WONDERFULY DISCRIPTIVENARATIVES ARE REMINISSENT OF KONRAD LORENZ AND GERALD DURREL .ONE MAN'S OWL WILL EDUCATE YOU AND PULL YOUR HEART STRINGS. BUY THIS BOOK!! ... Read more

Product Description
Owls are outrageous birds.

This book answers 20 questions and tells you all about these outrageous creatures.

• When do owls sleep?

• Why do horned owls have horns?

• How do owls fly so quietly?

• Why are owls’ eyes so big and why do they look so wise?

• Can an owl turn its head all the way around?

• Why are owls important to us?

And you can make a fun owl from a paper bag and some leaves, and another from heart shapes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wonderful photographs
This delightful book combines remarkably fine photography with a wealth of fascinating facts about owls, their bodies and their habits.From an explantation of their extraordinary ability to turn their heads in every direction to their hyperacute hearing, amplified by the shape of their broad faces I found this book fascinating.H.G. Moore's photos are the best.

Natalie
I think this book is beautiful.The photos are amazing, it is very educational for kids.I bought one for my nephews and they love it.

Those Outrageous Owls
This book is not only educational but fun to read too. The illustrations are adorable and the actual photos are beautiful. I am going to order more for friends and family. ... Read more

Product Description
Night after night a young girl and her grandfather wait for a barn owl they are expecting.They set up a nest and hope that a distinctive heart-shaped face will appear at their window.

Nicola Davies takes readers into the awe-filled world of the barn owl.Combining true owl facts with a delightful story of a grandfather and granddaughter, she brings young ones so close to a barn owl they can almost touch it.From reproduction to feeding, nesting to flying, this story digs deep into the life of this wondrous creature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It is no surprise that this book in a Red Clover Award nominee!
She helped Grandpa build a large wooden box, but when she asked him what it was for she had to wait.He got a ladder and put the box way up high in an old oak tree then he showed her some special things and talked to her about barn owls.He had seen one and this was hoping the barn owl would make it into a home.Perhaps there would even be babies!

He began to tell her all sorts of interesting facts about them and showed her a barn owl pellet.Inside there were some very odd things like fur and bones, but it was very interesting to learn new things.They kept a watch to see if the owl would climb into the box.They were going to have to be very patient because even though Grandpa knew there were owls nearby you could never tell what a wild animal will do.

Along with this lovely narrative, there is factual information about the barn owl on the opposite page such as"Under their feathers, owls are slim. Their bones are hollow, which keeps their bodies light and makes flying easy."There is even a "real size" drawing of a barn owl pellet.The art work is enchanting and is no surprise this is a nominee for a Vermont Red Clover Award for children in Kindergarten through the fourth grade. ... Read more

Product Description
Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction—about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.

According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.

Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.

The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Maxwell and the silver owl
Maxwell Unger is home schooled because he has an allergic reaction to sunlight.While climbing his favorite tree in the moonlight one evening, he makes two interesting discoveries.The first is a silver owl, which according to his late Gran, is watched over by an Owl Keeper who will unite the silver owls in times of darkness and protect the land and its people.However, according to Maxwell's parents, silver owls are extinct and Owl Keepers are only a myth. While tending to his new owl friend's broken wing, Maxwell makes the second discovery: another friend of the night named Rose.

Max being a bit shy and quiet quickly grows to anticipate meeting up with Rose after dark every night by the Owl Tree.Rose is adventurous and Max, missing the opportunity to have friends, begins to trust Rose as she convinces him to sneak into the Chocolate Factory where his parents work.This is where the true adventure begins. The factory makes two kinds of chocolate milk, and the one that Maxwell drinks every day before bed is the blend that is poisoned just enough to make you forget ...

Reviewed by Doreen Erhardt

A Good Addiction


Though this is a middle grade novel with a main character who is 11, close to 12, this book is certainly not written on a elementary level. The writing is strong and the descriptions thorough, giving a great overall image and making it enjoying for readers of all ages. Particularly for this book, the age choice works beautifully, pulling the story in a way it wouldn't otherwise go if the main character was even just a few years older.

Max leads a unique life even in this dystopian setting, confined inside during the daytime because he has an especially rare genetic disease that renders him allergic to sun particles. Any sunlight will kill him, making him a creature of the night and cut off from school and therefore, most friends. As a result, his primary interaction is with his caretaker, seeing his parents only in the evenings after work. Naturally, this effects his personality and his view on things but after the introduction of Rose, a runaway girl about his age who is certainly unique and quarky, Max's eyes begin to open.

This is where his age plays such a central role. Still more boy than teenager and holding a certain level of inherent immaturity, Max has to wrestle with plenty of questions- and any sort of upstart and betrayal will shake his world far more drastically than it would a teenager. Also with this age, however, is a certain desire to be brave and grown up, still harboring some of the childlike drive to grow up too fast yet also lacking the know it all attitude of an early teenager. It is a very refreshing mix, creating a strong central character who a reader of any age will come to like quickly and effectively.

As the story progresses, the full extent of the world Brodien-Jones has created is slowly developed and exposed, blindsiding the reader sometimes as strongly as Max himself. Secrets are kept, being revealed to the reader sometimes at the same time as the characters, showing Brodien-Jones' strong writing and crafting skills are. The owl aspect of this book is especially intriguing, as it makes the entire world incredibly unique. While some elements can be seen in other novels and the other idea of an overcontrolling government is common, the reasons and motivation behind this particular government's action is refreshing and original.

Though owls have shown up in books before, they play a different role in this book and the entire interaction and connection throughout keeps the reader involved. Max and Rose face some very unsettling situations, instilling fear in them both and though Max was relatively whiny, it is certainly to be expected in an 11 year old thrust into some of these scenarios. Brodien-Jones did a fantastic job creating a young character that was bold and brave but still true to an 11/12 year old.

With stunning takes and variations on elements present in modern times, strong and well crafted writing, and a young but fantastically developed main character, Brodien-Jones has made an amazing addition to the dystopian genre. She certainly raises many questions and shifts frames of mind throughout the book, keeping the mystery and intrigue strong right until the last page.

A Hopeful Tale About a Boy and His Determination
Years in the future, the world we all know has been transformed and the High Echelon is in charge of everything. The citizens are assigned to jobs and lives and the once beautiful land and wildlife is nonexistent. The silver owls that once roamed the skies are said to be extinct and both their song and their magic is gone. Max Unger is an often scared, frail eleven year old boy who has lived much of his life in the dark. Max is told that he is allergic to sun particles, so the majority of his time is spent indoors. His nights give him freedom and he roams the land around his home. One night, Max discovers a beautiful silver owl. Several nights later, a bossy, wild-looking girl by the name of Rose comes into Max's life and changes it forever. Max and Rose set out on an adventure that tests their character and hope.

The Owl Keeper is an exquisite story of the hope that children can cling to. The start is a little slow, but once I hit page 70 or so, the action was non-stop and I couldn't even put the book down. The beginning really builds the story and since there is so much to know about this world that Max is living in and the mythology surrounding it, the build up is necessary. Once the lore is set in place, we begin to see the cracks in the High Echelon's society turn into fissures. Max quickly realizes that maybe all is not as it seems and he begins to blossom as a character. It is impossible not to love Max and I was completely devoted to everything he is going through. When Max was younger, he did everything with his grandmother and that's how he discovered his love for the night. He used to go exploring with his Gran and spend hours learning about the silver owls, but when Max is 7, his Gran dies and everything changes. Little things remind Max of his Gran and you can really feel that loss and despair radiating off of him.

Rose is the complete opposite of Max. She's fearless and outspoken and a rough and tumble kind of girl. She drives Max crazy, but he still adores her and the reader will too. Their friendship grows so much throughout the novel and their layers are peeled away perfectly. The world of The Owl Keeper is expertly crafted with so many interesting creatures and places. Christine Brodien-Jones has created an entirely new world with mythological creature and prophecies. It is absolutely absorbing and a refreshing dystopian novel. I will say that it feels much more like a MG novel than a YA novel, but I still loved it. The ending leaves it open for a sequel, but could also be an open ending that lets the reader imagine what could follow.

Opening line: "When Max first saw the girl that night, standing beneath the owl tree, he thought she was ghost or a vision, or maybe a comic-book character come to life." ~ pg. 1

Favorite line: "Absolute Dark, he realized, was here." ~ pg. 117

A Great Read
I enjoyed every word in this post-apocalyptal fantasy. While this dark new universe is not a pretty picture, there is no shortage of beauty, hope, and familial loyalty in this imaginative tale.

I am an adult who loves futuristic subject matter and found this to be right up there with Margaret Atwood in terms of innovation and vivid imagery. Brodien-Jones has created a world you want to watch in this fast-paced cautionary tale.

The little heroic owl is peace personified.Her survival in an increasingly vicious world is at the center of the story for Max and Rose, the two young warriors. These two unwittingly evolve into brave soldiers who embark on a frightening journey filled with close calls, slimy creatures and deteriorating landscapes.One wonders why anyone would want to live in such a world. The hateful High Echelon "government" is interested in robotic devotion and will use any means to wipe out independent thought.Thank goodness there are rebels like Max, Rose, and their serene white owl who fight for the right to be themselves.

More please.

This "Keeper" a welcome addition to MG fantasy genre
Fantasy fans will love this middle grade novel. We did. The beginning was a bit slow moving for us but once the story picked up and Max's conflict was introduced, we couldn't stop reading. Brodien-Jones has created a wonderfully eerie world in which Max lives with the High Echelon watching and keeping control of all its residents. Set in 2066, Max's parents work in a government factory making chocolate. They work long hours and see Max only at dinner. With his condition (an aversion to sunlight which could kill him if exposed), he lives a sheltered life, remaining indoors all day and roaming the woods by his house at night. When the story begins he meets a strange red-haired girl named Rose by his Owl Tree where he believes the last remaining silver owl lives. Each night Max goes out to see his owl and talk with his new friend. But the High Echelon has spies and soon Max's caretaker, Mrs. Crumlin, is asking him questions, and the doctor arrives to give him his special shots. What Max overhears makes him begin to suspect the very thingshe was raised to believe in.

Without spoiling the story we will simply say THE OWL KEEPER is a terrific debut novel. The author has created a dark, futuristic tale of a society where everyone has to think alike and those who question or rebel are punished. Magic and a six hundred year old prophecy motivate the evil doers into searching for and controlling any person who is different (or is born with a birthmark declaring them Night Seers).

We really enjoyed the history of the silver owls and the role of the mysterious Owl Keeper, as well as the locales and settings Max and Rose travel to. We felt we were there traveling with them through scary woods and ice covered fortresses. With lush details it was easy to picture the scenes and situations the hero and heroine faced with. This is a highly spirited tale, very creative with strange creatures and the beauty of the delicate owls who hold the power to protect those who inhabit the lands of Silvern with their OwlSong. We anticipate loving the next installment in this series as well. Originally posted on [...] ... Read more

Product Description
Travis Lindsay, his best friend, Nish, and all their pals on the Screech Owls hockey team, are on their way to New York for an international peewee tournament. Excitement builds in the team van on the way to Lake Placid. First there are the entertaining antics of their trainer, Mr. Dillinger – then there’s the prospect of playing on an Olympic rink, in a huge arena, knowing there will be scouts in the stands.

But they have barely arrived when things start to go wrong. Their star centre, Sarah, plays badly from lack of sleep. Next Travis gets knocked down in the street. And then someone starts tampering with equipment. It looks as if someone is trying to sabotage the Screech Owls. But who? And why? And can Travis and the others stop the destruction before the decisive game of the tournament?

Mystery at Lake Placid is the first book in the Screech Owls Series by Roy MacGregor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Mystery at Lake Placid - a 32 year old reader
I enjoyed this book alot. Although I am 32 years old, I still enjoy reading the stuff that kids today read. I think it was definitely worth the read.

Thank you Mr MacGregor
My older boys love this series!My oldest has been playing travel hockey for 10 years (he's 17).He started reading the Screech Owls when he was 10 years old, but when our 2nd son started reading them several years ago, and newer stories were written, I'd catch Nicholas reading them, too (literally only taking minutes to polish it off!).Our 2nd boy doesn't play hockey (golf and tennis), but he truly enjoys the series.He already put all the news Screech Owl books on his Christmas list for this year.

The funny thing is I found this series in LAKE PLACID, NY (our favorite vacation spot) in my favorite book store.How excited was I that I found a book that would keep my son's attention because of hockey, in Lake Placid, about Lake Placid?! It was a win win.Reading is so important, and it's hard sometimes to find interesting book series, especially for boys.So I thank Roy MacGregor, and hope he keeps writing.I only wish to find more authors who would touch on other sports subjects (besides baseball) like Mr MacGregor does.Also, I would love if Mr MacGregor would write books that my 7 year old would enjoy.

Good young book
This book is great for children playing hockey and want to hear what the Screech Owls are doing. There is also a show of The Screech Owls.

GOOD BOOK!
A very good book for kids who love hockey

This one will score big with young hockey fans!
Finally, a young adult series about hockey! For young fans of the game, the Screech Owls series is right on target. If you are interested in hockey action, mystery, and teamwork, this is the series for you.
A team of Canadian hockey players travels to Lake Placid for an international tournament, and soon discovers that they have more to deal with than playing hockey. Sarah Cuthberson, the team captain becomes the target of sabatoge, and it's up to Travis Lindsay and his teammates to save the day (or night, even though Travis is afraid of the dark).
Hockey players will appreciate Travis' play-by-play account of the games, and everyone will enjoy the humorous dialogue among teammates.
Some language may offend the very young (or at least their parents). Overall, a must read for those interested in hockey ... Read more

Product Description

Owls are a hoot! Whether they're hunting in the forest or hiding in a prairie burrow, these birds are full of tricks. Did you know that burrowing owlets can imitate rattlesnakes to scare away their enemies? Or that saw-whet owls can throw their voices from tree to tree, like ventriloquists? From hoots to spooks, Diane Swanson reveals the mischievous world of owls in the wild.

About the series: Each book in the Welcome to the World of Series introduces children to wildlife through color photographs, lively description and amazing facts.

Product Description

Informal in tone yet serious in content, this book serves as a lively and accessible guide for readers discovering the tradition of political thought that dates back to Socrates and Plato. Because the arguments of the great philosophers are nearly eternal, even those long schooled on politics will find that this book calls on recurring questions about morality and power, justice and war, the risk of democracy, the necessity for evil, the perils of tolerance, and the meaning of happiness. Jeffrey Abramson argues politics with the classic writers and draws the reader into a spirited conversation with contemporary examples that illustrate the enduring nature of political dilemmas. As the discussions deepen, the voices of Abramson’s own teachers, and of the students he has taught, enter into the mix, and the book becomes a tribute not just to the great philosophers but also to the special bond between teacher and student.

As Hegel famously noted, referring to the Roman goddess Minerva, her owl brought back wisdom only at dusk, when it was too late to shine light on actual politics. Abramson reminds us that there are real political problems to confront, and in a book filled with grace and passion, he captures just how exciting serious learning can be.

Customer Reviews (2)

Best intro to history of political philosophy
I have taught Philosophy at the college level for 25 years, and I regard this book as the very best intro to the history of political philosophy I've ever read. Abramson, whom I have never met, displays the fruits of alifetime of teaching. He gets to the nerve of the figures he considers, writes with grace, and incorporates conversations he's had about these texts with colleagues and students over the years. In addition, he makes ancient thinkers relevant by using contemporary examples to illustrate or criticize their points. This is THE place to start for someone who wants to participate in the Western tradition's conversation over politics, and it's even a good starting-point for anyone interested in philosophy generally.

Bravo, Prof. Abramson!!

Larry Vogel
Connecticut College

The BEST possible introduction to political philosophy
Anyone with even the slightest interest in politics should read this book, to discover the foundational philosophy behind the organization of our institutions. Plato, Aristotle, Mill, Rousseau, and the other giants of philosophy are presented in an accessible and thoughtful way. Complicated concepts are introduced clearly and succinctly. This book will completely change the way you think about government. It's a must-read. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A sleepy Little owl
This book is wonderful and all the children love it. The picture's are beautifully drawn and it's a deflightful story with a happy ending. I can recommend it as a lovely bedtime story, or an anytime story. ... Read more

Product Description
The prophet Bayard arrives at Longleaf Manor, the estateof Lord Errol with an unanticipated announcement. Aidan Errol, LordErrol’s youngest son, is the Wilderking. But the weight and glory ofthis pronouncement is yet to be shouldered.

In the meanwhile, Lord Errol and his sons attend a Treaty Feastcelebrating a pact signed between Corenwald and the Pythen Empire. ButCorenwald is double crossed by the Pyrthens and they go to war.Thestory unfolds as Aidan begins to walk the way of his destiny throughthe feechifolk and a showdown with the Pyrthen champion Greidawlending with an epic battle to save the kingdom of Corenwald. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

great family read aloud
This book is the first in the "Wilderking Trilogy." I first saw it at a mainstream bookstore, either Waldens or B. Dalton, in a mall while we were visiting in St. Joseph, MO. Right after that, Zan Tyler announced in Lifeway.com's e-mail newsletter that Jonathan Rogers is a homeschooling father who wrote this adolescent fantasy/adventure fiction book for boys loosely based on the Biblical story of David. The synopsis says, "One in a series of three greatly acclaimed books for ages 9 to 12 about a shepherd boy heeding the call of the wild and discovering that call is ultimately to save his country and discover his true destiny."I purchased it as a present for our older son Mark, who was 14, and he devoured it. I read it and really liked it too. There is one reference to drinking ale. It is easy reading for pre-teen and early teenage boys, many of whom resist reading anyway, and is filled with illustrations of good character traits for boys such as courage, perseverance, and trust in God (although I think many girls would like it too). It would make a great family read aloud.

Yeah! A great book that doesn't involve sorcery or the such...
This series is great.Can't say enough about it.My kids love it, and the parallel with King David is exceptional.Thank you Christian authors for giving our kids something uplifting and just plain fit to read!A+++++

Wilderking Trilogy
I love this trilogy.The main character is a combination of Tom Sawyer and King David, as a youth.The setting is similar to the U.S. south, including plants, animals, and reptiles.The writing style is very engaging and reading this series is most enjoyable.There is some religion in this series that illustrates how the boy learns to stick to his principle.We watch as the boy learns that making the right decisions today will prepare him for tomorrow's challenges.This is a great way to teach children how today's decisions count and how the life they want when they are grown is dependent on the decisions they make today.Character counts!A great series.

Joe Frum
Bark of the Bog OwlBoardman and Holman 231 pp 19.99 Jonathan Rogers ISBN 08054313149
Aidan Erollson is a 10 year old farm boy who lives with his father and four brothers. Aidan wants to be a warrior when he grows up. His father is a royal subject of King Darrow, and Aidan want's to fight for the King when he's older. Aidan is a daydreamer who is kind hearted and brave. He loves adventure. In this story, Aidan meets an unusual person who no one knows exists. Also at this time it is foretold that Aidan may be the Wilder King with is really big. Aidan joins the King's army and has to overcome many obstacles such as fighting giants and exploring dark unknown caves. During these times Aidan becomes a braver man, and becomes one of King Darrow's royal subjects Thisbook is fiction, and would be classified as fantasy and adventure. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories set in make believe times .This book is easy to read and it has a very fast pace story. After reading one chapter you will not be able to put the book down, because you want to know what will happen next. If you liked the Narnia or Lord of the Rings you will love this book.

A Fresh Retelling
"The Bark of the Bog Owl" is a fun book with fun characters.A retelling of the Biblical story of David, it manages to capture the heart of the tale while introducing new and hilarious characters.Since many readers already know the story of David, Rogers had to work harder to create a world that was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.He succeeds admirably.Though the outline remains the same, new events and a new setting set this story on a solid foundation of its own.I highly recommend this story for any junior high or late elementary student--and anyone who likes to read lighthearted tales with truth at the core. ... Read more

Product Description
The most complete collection of visual reference material on North American owls including over 700 stunning photos of 16 species of owls. Physical features offer insight intohunting, feeding, flying, and communication. Renowned carver Floyd Scholz presents the much anticipated follow-up to his best-selling Birds of Prey. In this new book, hundreds of stunning full-color photos and useful line drawings offer detailed studies of 16 species of owls-from the tiny Elf Owl to the impressive Great Horned Owl. All are illustrated in full detail, with focus on body and wing design, plumage patterns, flight characteristics, and predatory behavior. Also includes a section on carving and painting techniques and a gallery of Floyd Scholz's finished carvings. A must-have reference for carvers, artists, ornithologists, naturalists-anyone interested in these magnificent birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

very helpful
I would love share a picture of how this book helped me because I am a sculptor but I am not finished with the piece.I was comissioned to do three great horned owls and this book was extremely helpful in laying out the feather patterns.The customer wanted them to be very realistic and again the book was very helpful.Because the artist does very little with the wings spread and I needed that I was still having to search more for wing shots but all in all the book was great.
Thank you

Owl's: excellent book
I saw this book at a woodcarver's show. I couldn't stop thinking about it, but could not afford $70.00. Then I remembered Amazon! At $54.00, I could squeeze that out of my budget.

This is an exceptional reference tool. The photographs, information, and details are incredible. I've never seen a bird book like this.

Stunningly detailed, beautifully photographed
As an owl fanatic & photographer (when I'm lucky enough to spot them, that is,) this book is a goldmine of information and of very high quality photography.Each owl is photographed in great detail, from many angles, showing closeups of eyes, beaks, wing feathers, feet and even their ears, which are normally difficult, if not impossible to see.The only reason I am giving it four out of five stars is for lack of a dust jacket (not a big deal, but this book isn't cheap and it should have one for that price.)That nit-pick aside, this is a glorious book, and it will be invaluable for the owl lover. I'm really glad I purchased this book and can highly recommend it!

Owls
Owls by Floyd Scholz is a beautiful book with many wonderful pictures.A wonderful reference book for all those intersted in birds generally and owls specifically.

Taint No Better
If there's another book in this universe (or any universe for that matter) that has better photographs, measurements/patterns, and information on such a wide variety of Owls, I dont need it!This one covers everything so well its the only book on owls I will ever need.There is no two books even slightly comparable to this one!If your even thinking about carving an owl GET THIS BOOK!!If you are interested in owls at all, GET THIS BOOK!Its worth its weight in gold.You wont regret it! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent illustrations
I bought this book for my boyfriend who loves barn owls. He is thinking of getting an owl tattoo and so I purchased this book for possible references. The book's illustrations are amazingly detailed and there are so many different angles that the owls are drawn in. My boyfriend loved the book.

Not just for wood carvers
As one who loves owls - the calls in the deep silence of the night, the huge eyes which see everything, everywhere, the feathers 'round the eyes,capturing each small rustling in the leaves below,the mystical symbolism of the wisdom Goddess Athena and of which it is said, "The Owl of Goddess Minerva Flies at Dusk"...which I translate as "wisdom comes only to the old".

This book is a dream come true and everything I dared to hope it to be.Yes, it has wonderful, precise drawings of foot and feather and color palettes and diagrams to enable those who paint and carve to produce fabulous representative art of this incredible creature, it also provides those of us who work with clay,the tools to better capture the essence of owl... or just to gaze at these incredible Beings.

LadyBeth

More than expected
As an artist that often uses these particular owls in my work, this book is invaluable. The information (with out a lot of reading) it gives is over whelming. Feather details, measurements, charts, views from all angles, some facts, drawings, photos...and more.
So worth the price!
Just to have this book in your library as a visual source about owls is a plus.
My art is not realistic, but making it with this knowledge is more inspiring.

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

An Excelent Revision
I have exactly 276 bird books on my shelves at my house. This one is so special, that i keep it in a drawer next to my bed! It is clearly organized and gives tons of info. It even covers topics rarely included in most books, such as taxonomy. Overall, a wonderful book!
-AlexanderOwls of the World

Fabulous book on owls -- detailed comprehensive and well-illustrated
Like owls or just want the best guide on this family of birds? This book is for you.The artwork is much superior to the book's first edition and the information is mind-boggling, but easy to find, well organized and well presented.Excellent ranges maps, too, and a real study of owls' lives and morphology.There isn't much you won't find in this excellent hardcover (not a field guide -- too heavy).Likely the best guide on this popular bird family ever, and there have been dozens written. ... Read more

Product Description
Birds of prey can be particularly difficult to track for a variety of reasons:- Nocturnal behavior- Remote habitats- Migratory patterns- Swift flight speeds

Hawks and Owls depicts both the subtle differences and rich diversity among these awe-inspiring birds. With crisp, clean photographs and precise identification notes, this guide makes quick and accurate classifications easier.

The families of birds includes:- New world vultures- Osprey, kites, eagles, hawks and allies- Caracara and falcons- Barn and bay owls- Typical owls

The information on each species is concisely organized and includes the differences between male and female, seasonal and immature plumage, morphs and distinctive markings. Color pictures and range maps accompany the text. The 180 photographs from award-winning photographers show these birds in their natural environments through the seasons. Comparison pages group similar-looking birds on a single page for quick reference.

Hawks and Owls is a sturdy, pocket-sized field guide that will be indispensable to naturalists, students and birders at all levels of experience, from Florida to Ontario. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not only for beginners.
The excellent quality of this field guide matches others by Chris Earley.Being able to study the large, clear, color closeups of these species will enhance your identification skills.Seasonal range maps, special notations, calls and sounds made, plus additional comparison charts in the back make this another must have.It's lightweight, easy to carry and worth adding to your collection of field guides!

Excellent Guide for the Beginner
Birds of prey are regarded with particular fascination by many birders, but their identification presents a number of problems that can daunt the beginner.Hawks & Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America, therefore, is an excellent introductory guide.

Each species has between two to four pages devotes to it.The majority of this space consists of photographs, depicting the species in flight and perched; save for a few, the photographs are crisp and clear.Aside from the brief introductory note and the more brief "nature notes," text is devoted to pointing out key features of the given species.Size, characteristics while perched and in flight, differences between males, females and juveniles, flight traits, and distinguishing calls are dealt with for each species, while relevant information concerning morphs and second year plummage, etc. is included when applicable.

Overall, I'm very impressed by this guide and highly recommend it to the beginning birder.

A Welcome Addition to a Crowded Field
A lingering perk:Some publishers still have my name listed as editor of the NAFA Hawk Chalk.Evidently Firefly Books is one, and I'm thankful for that.Some very good natural history and reference titles are available from this company, and they recently sent me one for review.

Chris G. Earley (the Canadian biologist who produced similar regional guides to sparrows & finches, and warblers; both titles with Firefly) makes an excellent addition to the growing list of photographic guides to North American raptors.There are some heavy hitters in this field already (e.g., Clark and Wheeler's 1995 guide and subsequent editions), which raise the bar for any newcomers.But Earley's concise volume is well constructed and worth adding to any falconer or birder's library.

Earley presents the raptors (diurnals first, then the owls) in their basic taxonomic groups or genera.He opens with a brief discussion of the guide's conventions (size comparisons, the standard icons he uses for quick reference, etc.) and good, basic advice for hawk watchers (to wit: watch the hawk first, as long as you can, then look it up).He completes his introduction with diagrams of avian anatomy as they relate to field identification, adding notes on common "hawk look-alikes" and a chart for best raptor viewing by season and species.

The following species accounts are brief, each covering two to four pages with large, well-composed color photos illustrating.A short note on natural history is typically accompanied by viewing and ID tips (some include literary quotes), and capped with the book's standardized set of icons and field notes.The author's selection of images is especially helpful, with color morphs and age-appropriate plumages displayed in easy-to-compare views.It is noteworthy that unlike some of the less qualified sources of raptor photo ID (especially those on the Web), the Cooper's hawks shown herein are actually Cooper's hawks; the Sharp-shins actually Sharp-shins.One particularly fine image (by Brian Wheeler) shows an adult male and female Cooper's standing together and dramatically captures their size dimorphism.

Earley closes this small volume with notes on how the public may help and observe raptors in their area, some suggested reading and a very helpful photographic "summing up" of included species that allows, via a series of charts, direct comparisons of similar species: the accipiters to each other, buteos to other buteos, and so on, which saves the reader the task of flipping pages to note the differences.Of course, I happily flipped between the pages anyway. ... Read more

Product Description
Paul Johnsgard has completely updated his highly praised 1988 edition of North American Owls, and by adding twelve species of Mexican owls he now covers the entire continent of North America. With detailed accounts of the nineteen owl species that breed north of Mexico, this comprehensive natural history includes thorough explanations of evolutionary relationships, ecology and distribution, anatomy and physiology, and reproductive biology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent
Although it might seem dated, the information in this book is extraordinarily complete, with detailed descriptions of anatomy, behavior, and chapters devoted to specific species.You might consider a book like "Owls: The Silent Fliers" just for it's excellent photographs, but if you want detailed information, P. Johnsgard's book is unmatched. Note also, although it's fine photographs may be moderate in number, the technical illustrations far exceed all other books I've seen on owls.

Useful source for information on the Natural History of Owls
I have many books on owls, and this is one of the most comprehesive books that I have seen on the natural history of owls.There are good drawings and photographs in the first 15 pages of the book.The classification andevolution section was of great interest to me and very useful.The naturalhistories of each species is very in-depth and thorough.There is also aglossary, which is very helpful in defining words which you may not know. Overall, the book is excellent, and I would highly recommend it to thebeginner, novice, or expert birder.

Everything you wanted to know about N.Amer. owls is here.
This book is a fantastic reference book pertaining to the appearance, mating behaviors, habitat and range, nesting patterns, and favorite foods of North American Owls.The color pictures are so much better than anyblack and white drawing could hope to achieve. The individual discriptionsare well organized under sub-topics for quick reference.

it is about many different owls and how they live
The book is about many different owls and how theylive.Some owls live in the forest some in the snow some in the the hot dessert.they eat rodents,lizards, ... Read more

Product Description
Edward Lear (1812-1888) was an English artist, illustrator and writer known for his literary nonsense, in poetry and prose, and especially his limericks, a form which he popularised. He was born in Highgate, a suburb of London, the 20th child of his parents and was raised by his eldest sister, Ann, twenty-one years his senior. He started work as a serious illustrator and his first publication, at the age of 19, was Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae; or, Parrots in 1830. His paintings were well received and he was favourably compared with Audubon. Throughout his life he continued to paint seriously. He had a lifelong ambition to illustrate Tennyson's poems. Lear briefly gave drawing lessons to Queen Victoria. In 1846 Lear published A Book of Nonsense, a volume of limericks which went through three editions and helped popularise the form. Edward Lear's nonsense works are distinguished by a facility of verbal invention and a poet's delight in the sounds of words, both real and imaginary. ... Read more