[2015 Reprint] Roger Tory Peterson—the Renaissance man who taught Americans the joy of watching birds—also invented the modern field guide. His 1934 landmark Field Guide to the Birds was the first book designed to go outdoors and help people identify the elements of nature. This self-proclaimed “student of nature” combined spectacular writing with detailed illustrations to ultimately publish many other books, winning every possible award and medal for natural science, ornithology, and conservation. Peterson also traveled the world, giving lectures on behalf of the National Audubon Society and, despite his self-effacing demeanor, becoming recognized as the key force to alerting the public to the importance of preserving nature. There are now an estimated 70 million birdwatchers in the United States. For this meticulously detailed biography, Rosenthal has interviewed more than a hundred of Peterson’s family, friends, and associates to create a fully rounded portrait of this hero of the conservation movement. Never-before-seen photographs enhance this intimate portrayal.
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal (www.petersonbird.com) has published birding articles in Bird Watcher’s Digest, New Jersey Audubon, and Snowy Egret. She is the author of the acclaimed His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John. A longtime New Jersey civil servant, she lives in Burlington, New Jersey.
Table of Contents
Part One: FledglingChapter 1 - Boy Rebel to Boy WonderChapter 2 - The Boy Wonder and the Conservative ConservationistChapter 3 - Spreading his WingsPart Two: Intercontinental MigrationChapter 4 - International RangeChapter 5 - Anglo-American Mates in the U.S. WildPart Three: Paradoxical Homo SapiensChapter 6 - A Super Pair and Their Habitat, Nest, and BroodChapter 7 - A Natural ObsessionChapter 8 - Hidden RogerPart Four: Conservation StoriesChapter 9 - Embryonic ConservationismChapter 10 - Adventuresome Flights of ConservationChapter 11 - DDT, the 'sprey, and the Old Lyme OffspringChapter 12 - The Wilds of LindbladPart Five: Inspiring FlightsChapter 13 - Worldwide ProgenyChapter 14 - OfferingsChapter 15 - Maturing With National AudubonChapter 16 - Shooting BirdsChapter 17 - Painterly BirdsPart Six: Bird Man of Bird MenChapter 18 - Territory Under ChallengeChapter 19 - Still All Over the Range MapAcknowledgmentsSourcesChapter NotesFurther ReadingIndex
Roger Tory Peterson—the Renaissance man who taught Americans the joy of watching birds—also invented the modern field guide. His 1934 landmark Field Guide to the Birds was the first bird-identification guide designed to be used in the field by the average person. Its success led to the best-selling Peterson Field Guide series, which has since taught millions about virtually all aspects of nature. Peterson combined fine writing with detailed and beautifully rendered illustrations, ultimately publishing many other books and winning virtually every award and medal for natural science, ornithology, and conservation. Before long, he became the birding and natural history guru to the world and was recognized as the key force in alerting the public to the importance of preserving nature. There are now an estimated 70 million birdwatchers in the United States.
For this meticulously detailed biography, author Elizabeth J. Rosenthal has created a fully rounded portrait of this hero of the conservation movement. Never-before-seen photographs enhance this intimate portrayal, which will be welcomed by Peterson’s enormous following.
