The Delightful Horror of Family Birding
Sharing Nature with the Next Generation
By Eli J. Knapp, Ph.D.
Eli Knapp takes readers from a leaky dugout canoe in Tanzania to a juniper titmouse’s perch at the Grand Canyon, exploring life’s deepest questions all along the way. In this collection of essays, Knapp intentionally flies away from the flock, reveling in insights gleaned from birds, his students, and the wide-eyed wonder his children experience. Knapp levels his gaze on the birds that share our skies, showing that birds can be a portal to deeper relationships, ecological understanding, and newfound joy.
Eli J. Knapp, Ph.D., is professor of intercultural studies and biology at Houghton College and director of the Houghton in Tanzania program. Knapp is a regular contributor to Bird Watcher’s Digest, New York State Conservationist, and other publications. An avid birdwatcher, hiker, and kayaker, he lives in Fillmore, New York, with his wife and children.
Here’s what early readers loved about The Delightful Horror of Family Birding:
“Pithy, funny, and wise essays about forays into nature . . . Knapp writes wittily of nature’s nuances. Tales of field trips with students, birding with family, or the fun of leading bird walks (‘Look! Butterbutts!’) all contribute to the cheerful wonder Knapp evokes.” —BOOKLIST
“Eli J. Knapp lets nature lead him and thereby—in this important collection of essays—he leads us to deeper perceptions of the bounty of nature. Humorous, a little irreverent. You learn about birds without even knowing.” —PETER H. KAHN, author of Technological Nature and The Human Relationship with Nature
“Eli Knapp’s essays capture the special, quirky, inquisitive nature of bird watchers. Whether he’s teaching his sometimes-receptive college students about birds or mixing birds and nature into a family outing, he weaves engaging tales of these experiences, leaving the reader wanting more of his well-told stories. He’s at the head of the class among the new generation of nature writers.” —BILL THOMPSON III, editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest
“An engaging and witty self-portrait of one man’s amiable obsession—and an honest exploration of how he attempts to transmit this passion to his children and his students. A very fun read—and you’ll learn a good deal of bird biology along the way.” —THOMAS LOWE FLEISCHNER, Executive Director of the Natural History Institute and editor of Nature, Love, Medicine
“Knapp deftly captures the joys and trials of bringing birds to non-birders, from squirmy little kids to wide-eyed college students. We all should be so lucky in our teachers.” —SCOTT WEIDENSAUL, author of Living on the Wind
“Knapp pays attention, not just to birds, the landscape, and the sights and sounds around him, but also to people’s responses to those things, including his own, and to human interactions with each other and to nature. His is an astute perspective, a perpetual student of life, humans, and nature, and his stories are consistently fun and thought-provoking.” —BIRD WATCHER'S DIGEST
“Knapp’s voice will be appreciated by novices and experienced birders . . . And, whether an essay is set near his home and college in New York state, Oregon, or in Tanzania, Knapp gives the reader plenty of detail to appreciate precisely what the clever book title promises.” —THE UTAH REVIEW
Where to buy
Paperback: 978-1-937226-91-6
E-book: 978-1-937226-92-3
Individuals:
Paperback available from Torrey House Press, your favorite local bookstore, or at IndieBound.org
E-book available wherever e-books are sold
Booksellers and Libraries:
Paperback and e-book available from Consortium Book Sales and Distribution or your favorite wholesaler
Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER
Wed. November 14, 6:00 p.m. at the David A. Howe Public Library (Wellsville, NY)
Sat. November 17, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (100 Park Point Dr. Rochester, NY)
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