Feathers

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Feathers are an evolutionary marvel aerodynamic, insulating, beguiling They date back than 100 million years Yet their story has never been fully told In Feathers, biologist Thor Hanson details a sweeping natural history, as feathers have been used to fly, protect, attract, and adorn through time and place Applying the research of paleontologists, ornithologists, biologists, engineers, and even art historians, Hanson asks What are feathers How did they evolve What do they mean to us Engineers call feathers the most efficient insulating material ever discovered, and they are at the root of biology s most enduring debate They silence the flight of owls and keep penguins dry below the ice They have decorated queens, jesters, and priests And they have inked documents from the Constitution to the novels of Jane Austen Feathers is a captivating and beautiful exploration of this most enchanting object. Read Feathers – kino-fada.fr This book was definitely about feathers It emphasized the biology and natural history of birds, but often included substantial sojourns linked to humans Topics such as the feather trade, fashion, quills, down jackets and pillows, fly fishing andoften took up my time Personally I favored the details focusing on the evolutionary reasons for these amazing structures unique to the birds Definitely an education from both an ornithological as well as an anthropological historical perspectiv T...Great read A lot of little fluff which adds up, chapter by chapter, into a surprisingly attractive, colorful tail of history, biology and science I think nesting for a few days with this book hatchescuriosity than any desire for throwing rotten eggs I am now cuckoo for watching the skies because I had a hoot reading this book My head is still spinning 180 degrees, all a flutter at the interesting flybys past feather light informative...I love a book that takes a subject I know nothing about, one in which I don t consciously harbor any interest in, yet draws me in completely I know nothing about paleontology or birds, and very little about non mechanized flight, but my Dad gave a glowing recommendation for this book I picked it up and was immediately drawn to Hanson s enthusiasm for his subject, and his ability to explain the concepts to a complete neophyte like myself, without giving the impression that he was speaking down I love a book that takes a subject I know nothing about, one in which I don t consciously harbor any interest in, yet draws me in completely I know nothing about paleontology or birds, and very little about non mechanized flight, but my Dad gave a glowing recommendation for this book I picked it up and was immediately drawn to Hanson s enthusiasm for his subject, and his ability to explain the concepts to a complete neophyte like myself, without giving the impression that he was speaking down to me.Hanson seamlessly intertwines the functionality of a feather with evolutionary theories about them, taking care not to lobby too strenuously for one theory over another personally, but rather letting the trends in scientific theory unfold to the reader gradual...This book was a pleasant surprise and enjoyable to read It s the first non fiction book I ve read that centers on animals rather than humans and I have to admit that it was a nice change Hanson is detailed and specific enough to make things interesting, but also is ambitious in scope lots of ground covered Who knew that feathers could be so fascinating Great mix of natural history, social history, economics and personal narrative Definitely recommend BTW the author lives in the San Juans This book was a pleasant surprise and enjoyable to read It s the first non fiction book I ve read that centers...Tema inusitado e bem tratado Tem aquela pegada pessoal do autor descrevendo situa es e conversando com pesquisadores, bons coment rios e insights legais Adorei a parte do tr fico de avestruzes para frica do Sul N o tinha me atentado para o qu o isolantes penas podem ser, a...An impressive book about a feather weight subject Through personal research and interviews with various people, Thor Hanson has shown that feathers are really a biological and physical wonder You probably won t look at a feather and say, Oh, just a feather, after going through this book.Hanson starts by describing the appearance of the feather in prehistory, via fossils like Archaeopteryx lithographica and then the discovery of dinosaurs with feathers in the Yixian Formation in China Then An impressive book about a feather weight subject Through personal research and interviews with various people, Thor Hanson has shown that feathers are really a biological and physical wonder You probably won t look at a feather and say, Oh, just a feather, after going through this book.Hanson starts by describing the appearance of the feather in prehistory, via fossils like Archaeopteryx lithographica and then the discovery of dinosa...This is one of those disappointing books where the author inserts way too much of himself into what could otherwise be a simple factual narrative I don t give a shit if the author raises chickens or whatever Clearly someone has been takin William Zinsser s advice.I m also a bit torn about the prominent appearance of Richard Prum in this book, because Prum s own bookThe Evolution of Beautywas packed full of awful arguments, and it makes me much harder to take the guy seriously Prum comes o This is one of those disappointing books where the author inserts way too much of himself into what could otherwise be a simple factual narrative I don t give a shit if the author raises chickens or whatever Clearly someone has been takin William Zinsser s advice.I m also a bit torn about the prominent appearance of Richard Prum in this book, because Prum s own bookThe Evolution of Beautywas packed full of awful arguments, and i...Compulsively readable Unlike other natural histories I ve read, Hanson keeps his chapters short and focused and they arefascinating for it A marvel of insulation, water resistance, lightweight aerodynamics and color,...Hanson is what I think of as a great science writer He engages our imaginations while imparting facts, and I suspect that is at least in part because he has such a lively sense of wonder that he can t help but infuse even the most prosaic of information with a feel of awe as if the evolution of feathers or seeds, or whatever else he s writing about is pure magic And in a sense, the things he writes about are magic, or as close to as we get in our world.The discovery of feathered dinosaurs, the Hanson is what I think of as a great science writer He engages our imaginations while i...Very enjoyable read that makes you appreciate birds around you a lot .

Feathers
  • English
  • 11 October 2018
  • Hardcover
  • 352 pages
  • 0465020135
  • Thor Hanson
  • Feathers