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Mrs Moreau's Warbler
How Birds Got Their Names
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreGuardian columnist and Springwatch expert Stephen Moss combines detective work, natural history, folklore and first hand observations to explore how birds got their names and our long and eventful relationship with the natural world.
Guardian columnist & Springwatch expert Stephen Moss combines detective work, natural history, folklore and first hand observations to explore how birds got their names and our long and eventful relationship with the natural world.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Swallow and starling, puffin and peregrine, blue tit and blackcap. We use these names so often that few of us ever pause to wonder about their origins. What do they mean? Where did they come from? And who created them?
The words we use to name birds are some of the most lyrical and evocative in the English language. They also tell incredible stories: of epic expeditions, fierce battles between rival ornithologists, momentous historical events and touching romantic gestures.
Through fascinating encounters with birds, and the rich cast of characters who came up with their names, in Mrs Moreau's Warbler Stephen Moss takes us on a remarkable journey through time. From when humans and birds first shared the earth to our fraught present-day coexistence, Moss shows how these names reveal as much about ourselves and our relationship with the natural world as about the creatures they describe.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Mrs Moreau's Warbler by Stephen Moss is highly praised for its engaging exploration of the origins and stories behind bird names. Critics appreciate its blend of linguistics, ornithology, and natural history, with Buzzfeed highlighting its unique approach to animal naming. Booklist describes it as a lively adventure through scientific discovery, while Library Journal commends its insightful look into language usage. It's considered both entertaining and educational, appealing to those interested in science, history, and linguistics.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781783350919
Publisher: Guardian Faber Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 April 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Guardian Faber Publishing
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 132.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 293g
Pages: 368
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About the Author
Stephen Moss is a naturalist, broadcaster, television producer and author. In a distinguished career at the BBC Natural History Unit his credits included Springwatch, Birds Britannia and The Nature of Britain. His books include The Robin: A Biography, A Bird in the Bush, The Bumper Book of Nature, Wild Hares and Hummingbirds and Wild Kingdom. He is also Senior Lecturer in Nature and Travel Writing at Bath Spa University. Originally from London, he lives with his family on the Somerset Levels, and is President of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
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