Nicht aus der Schweiz? Besuchen Sie lehmanns.de

Conversations with Birds

The Metaphysics of Bird and Human Communication

(Autor)

Buch | Softcover
192 Seiten
2023 | 2nd Edition, New Edition of BirdTalk
Bear & Company (Verlag)
978-1-59143-451-1 (ISBN)

Lese- und Medienproben

CHF 24,40 inkl. MwSt
For decades Alan Powers has studied bird vocalizations, developing the remarkable ability to imitate birds’ songs and get them to respond and even change tunes. Through his years of study, he has discovered that birds can teach us important lessons about the world and about ourselves. As Powers explains, by communing cross-species we reach out to the timeless interconnected web of all life past and present--what Renaissance philosopher Giordano Bruno called in Latin the Uni-versus, the “Whole turned into One.”

Sharing his journey to learn birdtalk and his profound observations about the poetic, spiritual, and healing influences of birdsong, Powers explores the ancient language of birds and the depth of meaning birds convey. He explains how bird speech sounds like song to us, but birdtalk is urgent and nuanced, whether about predators or the weather. He details how he began learning birdtalk, listening to one bird each summer, learning their many vocalizations and variations. Discussing specific techniques, he shares insights into the birdtalk of many species, including the complex and intelligent speech of Crows, the emotional depths of Loons, the mimicry of Blue Jays, and the beautiful song of the Wood Thrush.

Exploring the intertwined metaphysics of bird and human languages, Powers looks at the long-standing tradition of “avitherapy” throughout history, literature, and the arts. He shares insights into birds from Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson, reveals how birds appear in love songs throughout the world, and examines how famous writers such as Keats, Catullus, St. Francis of Assisi, and the French historian Jules Michelet found that talking to birds improves their state of mind. He also explores how song-talk with birds restores peace, calms anxiety, and enhances health.

Alan Powers earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Minnesota in 1976, with post-doctoral studies at Princeton, Brown, Harvard, Cornell, the Folger Library, Breadloaf, Villa Vergilliana (Italy), and the American Academy, Rome. He is professor emeritus of English at Bristol Community College, where he was chairman of the English department from 1988 to 1992. The author of several books, including The Worlds of Giordano Bruno, he lives in Westport, Massachusetts.

Foreword
by Richard C. Wheeler

A Preface to the New Edition
Talking to Birds and Aliens

Basic Bird
A Prologue

The Year of the Oriole

Song, Assault, or Mockery?

Auspices
Roman and Native American

The Supreme Mocker

From Guns to Birdfeeders

Avitherapy

Literary Birds

North Atlantic Birds

Winter Birds

Spring Birds

Animal Language
The Linguistic Debate

Birds of America

Birds, Souls, and Aliens

Addendum

Glossary

Works Cited

Acknowledgments

Index of Birds

General Index

About the Author

Erscheinungsdatum
Vorwort Richard C. Wheeler
Zusatzinfo 39 b&w illustrations
Verlagsort Rochester
Sprache englisch
Maße 137 x 210 mm
Gewicht 261 g
Themenwelt Sachbuch/Ratgeber Natur / Technik Naturführer
Schulbuch / Wörterbuch Wörterbuch / Fremdsprachen
Naturwissenschaften Biologie Zoologie
ISBN-10 1-59143-451-3 / 1591434513
ISBN-13 978-1-59143-451-1 / 9781591434511
Zustand Neuware
Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt?
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
Wiege des Lebens

von Hansjörg Küster

Buch | Hardcover (2024)
C.H.Beck (Verlag)
CHF 36,40