Birdwatching with American Women: A Selection of Nature Writings

by Deborah Strom (Editor)

Overview

“Birdwatching with American Women is a gift to all enthusiastic amateurs in natural history. . . . [Strom’s] introductions match the quality of the best of the writing. . . . A delightful collection.” —Erma J. Fisk, author of The Peacocks of Baboquivari

American women have long been writing with wit and style about birds, but most of these writers (with exceptions such as Sarah Orne Jewett and Celia Thaxter) have been little known. Deborah Strom now offers a sampling of the fine birding literature produced by women from the late 1800s through World War II, introducing the writers “intriguingly, succinctly limning lives of often great fascination” (Booklist)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393305982
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	10/17/1989
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

Editorial Reviews

Though American women have written about birds for a century or more, much of their work is in eclipse today. Strom here revives the literature for a new audience18 selections with biographical sketches of the authors (which rival the writings in interest). They range from conservation and nature-education pieces (Florence Merriam Bailey, Neltje Blanchen Doubleday) to scientific studies (Margaret Morse Nice, Louise de Kiriline Lawrence) to birding travelogue-adventure (Helen Cruikshank, Eleanor Rose Pettingill). Some selections are by writers better known in areas other than birding: Sarah Orne Jewett, Mary Austin, Celia Thaxter, Gene Stratton-Porter. A few pieces are dated, but most will be a source of enjoyment for birders and other nature-lovers. Illustrations not seen by PW. (March 24)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

While there are plenty of excellent birdwatchers of both sexes, generally men write the books. It's refreshing to learn that women have played a literary role in this field of natural history. Many of these hardy, strong-willed ladies, at home in the outdoors, were naturalists in their own right. Most eminent was probably Margaret Morse Nice, who made a significant contribution to ornithology with her study of the song sparrow; an excerpt from her The Watcher at the Nest (Macmillan, 1939) is included. This anthology should stimulate the reader to search out complete works, such as those by Florence Jaques, Helen Cruickshank, Eleanor Pettingill, and others. For nature and school libraries. Helen J. Stiles-Wainwright, Colorado Mountain Club Lib., Denver

Library Journal