Albatross

Description

The albatross inspires awe by its remarkable ease in the air and its huge wingspan, as well as the huge journeys these birds undertake across the oceans. Albatross looks at the place of these iconic birds in a wide variety of human cultures, from early responses by north Atlantic mariners to modern encounters.

Graham Barwell teaches English, Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

"A lively and interesting read for those interested in our largest winged ambassadors. The writing is succinct, the photographs are beautiful as well as informative, and the author does a commendable job of researching a wide variety of subjects to include in this diverse book." --Lindsay Young, Pacific Rim Conservation "Marine Ornithology" "I am partial to books well made, quality effort in assembly and choice of materials as well as content. Albatross qualifies in every way. There are sixty-five volumes in this animal series, subjects ranging from chickens to cats, from lobsters to lions. If this book is an indication of quality, I would like to have them all." --Jim Williams "Wingnut, Star-Tribune" "Whenever a new title in this entertaining 'Animal' series lands on my desk, it feels like a real treat, and this one does not disappoint. . . . Albatross brings together a wonderful mix of fact, fiction, legend, art, and science about one creature. In short, it covers a lot of ground. It looks at the role the albatross has played in the different lives and cultures of humans, the wonder of its awesomely long journeys, and the knowledge gained from studying it, followed by consequent conservation measures and the way we see this iconic bird in the modern world. It is a great little book to read through, or to dip into." -- "British Trust for Ornithology News"