Sunday, December 04, 2022

Book Review - Conversations with Birds - Priyanka Kumar - Milkweed Editions

 


Birds are my almanac; they tune me into the seasons, and to myself.

Priyanka Kumar

     It had not been my plan to review a third book in a row, but having read this sensitive, captivating work it was impossible to resist sharing it with you.
     Before going any further let me put my seal of endorsement on the publisher, Milkweed Editions, whose modus operandi is outlined as follows.

"Milkweed Editions is committed to ecological stewardship. We strive to align our book production practices with this principle, and to reduce the impact of our operations in the environment. We are a member of the Green Press Initiative, a nonprofit coalition of publishers, manufacturers, and authors working to protect the world's endangered forests and conserve natural resources. Conversations with Birds was printed on acid-free 100% postconsumer-waste paper."

     The heartbeat of every naturalist on Earth must have a more pleasing rhythm knowing that there is at least some honour in the world! 
     And now to the book.
     Priyanka Kumar came to North America from her native India as a child, already possessed of an ecological conscience, and steeped in the spiritual values of a traditional Indian upbringing, where nature is revered, cherished and in some instances even worshipped.
     Educated and trained as a film-maker she gravitated to a love of birds as an antidote to the competitive, cutthroat world into which she was thrust, and the urban wastelands where she was compelled to live, "My thoughts were leafy green but all around me was the roar of a petrochemical civilization," she says.
      She quickly graduated from the pursuit of competitive birding to the embrace of the interconnectedness of all of nature, experiencing dismay at human alienation from it. A sense of reconnection to the natural world was established in her in a manner verging on metaphysical.
     Her husband, Michael, to whom the book is dedicated is a companion spirit, a compassionate, loving soulmate, and their children, Pika and Mia, have been raised as true heirs to nature, learning through their parents a love for, and appreciation of, all living things. The children see the world through eyes of wonder, with respect for life in all its glorious diversity, where a moth trapped in the house is to be lovingly carried outside to be released.
     Priyanka finds spirituality and connection in eagles and curlews, cranes, mountain lions and bobcats, and even a sense of peace by staying in Mi Casita, a cabin owned and largely constructed by the great ecologist, Aldo Leopold, as his first home with his bride.
      As much as Priyanka immerses herself in the therapeutic balm of nature, she faces the stark reality of human contempt and hostility to the flora and fauna with whom we share the planet, and the unwillingness of humans to coexist with other organisms, even though it is to our benefit to do so. While seeking Northern Goshawks in a New Mexico forest, she is confronted with the devastating evidence of a rapacious timber industry, an underfunded and toothless forest service that constantly witnesses the destruction of habitat for forest creatures big and small, and its tragic consequences.
       The total disregard for the natural world is epitomized by the aftermath of the activities of an army of destruction - "Over several trips to Carson Natural Forest, I grew troubled by the trash heaps I saw lying about in the timber sale area.  .....Michael and I collected beer cans and sundry bottles. If these loggers - the companies, the contractors, the workers - can leave trash lying around so callously in a hundred-year old ponderosa pine forest they have just plundered, how can we believe they have any respect left for the forest?"
      One forest service employee holding holistic views in support of ecosystem protection recounts, "When a year back there was an injunction on logging because of the New Mexico Spotted Owl, I received death threats. At my office, at the grocery store, at the barbershop when I was getting my hair cut."
      How utterly sad that it comes to this.
      Time and again my heart ached for Priyanka and her family, while also appreciating and sharing her moments of joy. My values align with hers and I too despair for the future. At the end of the book she says, "An acquaintance with the natural world grows and deepens until it permeates our cells..." By that measure my own cells are saturated!
     Sadly, most of the world is immune to nature, I fear.

Niggly bits

     I am at a loss to explain why, but rigorous editing, or fact checking, seems to be a lost art in modern publishing.

1. On the publisher's page it is stated, "All interior illustrations drawn by John Jacob Audubon and engraved by Richard Havell, except the bulbul on page 34. I have never seen Audubon referred to as other than John James; I have several books of Audubon's works and other works about his life - nowhere is he called John Jacob. It is worth remembering that his original name, in French, was Jean-Jacques. And as for the bulbul being on page 34 - in fact it is on page 32.

2. Page 76 - speaking of a Black-chinned Hummingbird's nest, the claim is made, "The bird and its mate had ingeniously woven vegetal matter......" This is factually incorrect. Male hummingbirds take no part in nest-building or care of the young. 

3. P. 212 - Reference is made to "Canadian Geese." they are not Canadian Geese, they are Canada Geese.

4. Throughout the book the word "seagull' is used, when, as any birder worth his binoculars will tell you, it should be "gulls."

5. Page 247 - An American Three-toed Woodpecker is described as follows, "....its jaunty black head with a white supercilium." A supercilium is a line running front to back above the eye. A three-toed woodpecker does not have a supercilium; the line starts behind the eye.

     This is a fine book, well-written by a sensitive individual and I recommend it highly. The season for buying gifts is now upon us. Look no further. Buy a copy of this book for all your friends and they will be the better for reading it. Urge your local library to acquire a copy too.
     A final word to Priyanka and Michael. You both have deep connections to Ontario; it's time to come home! Ontario awaits your return!

Conversations with Birds - Milkweed Editions
Priyanka Kumar - ISBN - 9781571313997
Hardcover - 281 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)  

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

39 comments:

  1. I think this is a wonderful book to read.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
  2. That sounds like a very fine book indeed. You have ignited my bookie lust. Again. And sadly I share the author's and your despair - which in my case is mixed with rage.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi David - what a lovely book to write about ... despite the errors - I try and switch off about them otherwise I'd be constantly in fear of reading anything, or watching tv ... but thank you for introducing me to Priyanka and Michael - they are raising the profile of birds and the destruction people cause. It horrifies me the rubbish that gets chucked out ... into our streets, ultimately into the seas - where rubbish causes more damage.

    A book we need to read, whose articles we need to absorb and, I hope, learn from ... a challenge for our world. Thank you - such an interesting book - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Without a doubt, Hilary, you would enjoy this book. Maybe your local library has it.

      Delete
  4. Hari om
    I know of Milkweed due to having read "Braiding Sweetgrass", (Robin Wall Kimmerer). If you have not read this, I recommend it in return - although not about birds, I am certain you will find much appeal for the environmentalist in you! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not read "Braiding Sweetgrass," but I obviously should. I will see if the local library has it.

      Delete
  5. This sounds like a wonderful book from a great author. Here, too, destruc tion and disrespect of nature wherever you look. Sad. Hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone was telling me recently that sections of the Black Forest look like garbage dumps where people have off-loaded their trash to avoid paying a few marks to dispose of it responsibly.

      Delete
  6. Hello David,
    It sounds like a great book, even with the errors. Thanks for sharing! Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The content of the book is quite wonderful. The sloppiness bugs the hell out of me!

      Delete
  7. Another review of a wonderful, and educational book! I always enjoy your valued input.

    Have a great week ahead and your linking up is appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ...for the longest time I thought they are were Canadian Geese.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would assume that when writing a book you would at minimum be sure to get the name right.

      Delete
  9. Thank you for all your good book reviews, David.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nature is the victim - humans are the culprits - a despair I share.
    I really must watch my own editing and fact checking having referred to 'seagulls' on my lastest post!!! It should of course be gulls - I will change it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It would seem, from your review David, that this is a more than interesting book - in spite of its annoyances which, it seems to me, are more due to fact-checking than editing. Factual accuracy is, in my opinion, more the rersponsibility of the author, rather than the editor. Editorial fact checking would, I reckon, require someone with an equal, or better, knowledge of the subject matter than that of the author. I would probably blame the author, rather than the editor, for all five of your points - unless for your point 3., 'Canadian geese' (legitimate) was intended and not 'Canada Geese' - can't tell without seeing the words in context.

    Having said all that, I am still in total sympathy with you over the decline in editing thoroughness.

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I take your point about context, Richard. I carefully checked before making my observation. She was not talking about geese recently arrived from Canada, therefore being Canadian geese, but was identifying the bird she saw on the water in front of her.

      Delete
  12. The author deserves appreciation for the effort.
    Errata is welcome, even on review.

    ReplyDelete
  13. If only there were more like you and Priyanka ... I too was blessed with an upbringing that taught me to love and respect nature and have lived my life that way (yes, I carry the spider outside while everyone else recoils). I will get this book and I have no doubt it will bring sadness for the realities and joy for those that can see and try to help stop the spoilage that is now mankind. We aren't just ignorant about nature but of the possibilities in mankind. Now you have stirred my inner anger, David. I am thankful for you I think and will spend my day looking for, wishing for answers to all of this human mess. Meanwhile I hope you are staying warm and cozy ...

    Andrea @ From the Sol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrea, there is a house for sale on the next street. Can you buy it please and move here?

      Delete
  14. Good review, it sounds like a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It sounds like an indispensable book for bird lovers, among whom I count myself.

    ReplyDelete
  16. If you don't fit the definition, Dorothy, I don't know who does.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It seems that it is a nice book to read!....Abrazotes, Marcela

    ReplyDelete
  18. Por tu bello y apasionado relato amigo mío debe ser una libro maravilloso, escrito por alguien que ama en toda su inmensidad a la naturaleza, cuida y se desvive por ella y comparte con su familia. No me cabe la menor duda que han de ser grandiosas cada página escrita y editada. ¡Qué pena de no hablar inglés!! Estaría en mi biblioteca.
    Gracias por compartir la belleza aún a sabiendas de que no puedo leerlo amigo David.
    Recibe un afectuoso saludo y abrazo de tu siempre compadre y amigo Juan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it really is a shame, Juan, that many of these books will never be translated.

      Delete
  19. Be interesting to read. Because they don't correct the book this teaches so many in the same field as they are their way, so goodness knows what the future holds for books and their corrections.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sadly, I have to agree with you David. The majority of humanity continually demonstrates an abject disregard for the world we live in.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great to hear about the Green Press Initiative :-) ... and thank you for sharing Priyanka Kumar's book.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'll never catch up with what I missed in the past week but I'm so glad I read this one. Apart from the technical editing errors, this book sounds like a gem -- beautiful, informatively, heartbreaking and inspiring. Thank you, David.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not just for birders and ornithologists, it has wide appeal, Jeanie.

      Delete
  23. you have soo many books over there. More then I ever seen in Sweden :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. It does sound a good book, many thanks for your review.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sounds like a great book despite the errors you found. Maybe you should let the editor know. I love the corrections you have made. Have a great day, David.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It sounds like a great book, errata notwithstanding. And I'm with you on dreading the extinction of my descendants thanks to the non-stop rape of the planet and us all drowning in our filth.
    Despair is second nature now.
    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
  27. Me parece un libro maravilloso, pero como dice nuestro amigo Juan, no puedo tenerlo al no estar traducido al castellano. Siempre amando la naturaleza.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm guilty about saying "seagulls" instead of "gulls" - now I know better. But then I'm not a serious birder, just a bird lover. This book sounds very interesting and I put it on my wishlist. I always love coming upon people who think in similar ways about nature and what we do to it. The problem is that I get so angry about people while reading books like this.

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a great mission for the publisher. Thank you for always introducing me to books I would otherwise not know about.

    ReplyDelete

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

Followers