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The Complete Language of Birds
A Definitive and Illustrated History
by Randi Minetor
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Sep 03 2024 | Archive Date Aug 09 2024
Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press | Wellfleet Press
Talking about this book? Use #TheCompleteLanguageofBirds #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
Expand your bird knowledge with this gorgeous encyclopedia of nearly 400 bird species around the world, unique for its inclusion of both their physical and mythological characteristics.
If you’re a nature lover who thrives on bird videos and photography, go beyond the scope of standard field guides with this comprehensive reference. Each entry of The Complete Language of Birds provides not only the bird’s name and physical qualities, but also its history, symbolic meanings, and hidden properties from mythology, legends, and folklore.
Within the pages of this colorful volume, you’ll find:
- Beautiful illustrations and descriptions of common and unusual birds
- Notes on the surprising properties and powers of birds
- Discussions of the symbolism and mythological significance of each bird species
Dive into an unusual dimension of historical and arcane knowledge with the study of birds. A collection of fun and interesting facts about birds gathered from science and culture, the stunning illustrations and lively descriptions make this an engaging guide you’ll return to again and again.
Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, flower meanings, and the stories behind signs and symbols.
Also available in the series: Complete Book of Dreams, Complete Language of Flowers, Complete Language of Herbs, Signs & Symbols of the World, Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care, and Complete Language of Food.
Available Editions
EDITION | Hardcover |
ISBN | 9781577153740 |
PRICE | $24.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 256 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
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This is a great resource for learning more about birds! It provides you with information about each birds physicality, history, symbolism and folklore. I really liked the illustrations and the how to use section! Very original and infromative
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Equal parts informative and inspiring, The Complete Language of Birds is a fantastic non-fiction book about how to speak bird (by learning more about them) - facts, lovely images and the links to mythology all in one book.
Next time my child and I see a birds covered in this book, we will approach it tell it tales about its ancestors, itself and if it likes, about other birds.
This is a book to enjoy with your family, pick up from the shelves from time to time and read a random page from.
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A must have books for anyone interested in birds. This delightful encyclopedia of birds offers not only physical qualities of the various species of birds but the history, symbolic meanings, and legends and folklores pertaining to the specific bird. The book is such a beautiful collection and easy to read book to learn about more birds. I loved reading this and getting to know the various types birds and the history and myths surrounding them. It's a must have book and a delightful read!
Release Date: September 3,2024
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press | Wellfleet Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
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Gorgeously illustrated and filled with interesting facts about birds around the world, I especially love that it includes the mythology linked to each one too. My only quibble was that the Robin, one of my favourites was not included as I’d love to know why we think ‘Robins appear when loved ones are near’!
Thank you Netgalley, Quarto and Randi Minetor for this ARC.
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First of all, the cover of this book is gorgeous! The inside of the book is equally beautiful. There are very interesting facts about hundreds of birds. A reader will learn possible powers the birds have, such as practicality or energy. Readers also learn about symbolic meanings, folklore, and facts. I highly recommend nature or bird lovers read this book.
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.
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I was very impressed with all the information provided in this book. It has great pictures of the birds and extensive details about them. I especially enjoyed reading about their folklore and facts. I would highly recommend this book to any bird enthusiast or animal lover.
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This book actually blew me away with its attention to detail and artwork!! I was so pleasantly surprised and intrigued as I went through the pages. I have a brother who is a bird lover and I would absolutely purchase this as a gift for him! It's informative and beautifully made, and even has a section on mythical birds! I'm incredibly impressed.
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Gorgeous art, a lot of scientific facts and insight into folklore. Birds have always fascinated me, which is why I was very excited to read this book. The artwork of the different species of birds is beautiful and I enjoyed reading about the powers, myths and stories associated with the various birds. If possible, I'd love to own this book in print.
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The Complete Language of Birds: A Definitive and Illustrated History by Randi Minetor is a beautifully crafted stunning coffee table book. As a bird lover, I was thrilled to learn more, especially by reading the folklore section. This adds a rich cultural layer to the scientific insights. The detailed illustrations and visually appealing layout make it a joy to peruse, while the rich narrative offers valuable insights into bird behavior.
I can't wait to see this book in print, as it would be the perfect gift to any to any bird lover's collection.
Thank you to the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press for providing an advance reader copy via Net Galley
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The Complete Language of Birds by Randi Minetor is an absolute must-read for any nature enthusiast or bird lover! This book is a true masterpiece, with stunning artwork on each page, opening up an entirely new world of understanding and appreciation for the incredible avian species that share our planet.
Minetor's writing is both accessible and captivating, guiding readers on a journey through the diverse and fascinating ways that birds communicate. From the melodic songs that fill the air to the subtle body language and intricate social cues, every aspect of avian language is explored in vivid detail. The author's obvious passion and deep knowledge of the subject matter shines through on every page, igniting a sense of wonder and curiosity within the reader.
What sets this book apart is the perfect balance of scientific rigor and enchanting storytelling. Minetor seamlessly weaves together the latest research and insights with lyrical descriptions that bring the avian world to life. Readers will find themselves utterly transported, developing a profound connection to the feathered creatures all around us.
Simply put, The Complete Language of Birds is a true gem that deserves a spot on the bookshelf of anyone who appreciates the beauty and complexity of the natural world. This book is an absolute must-read!
Thank you to #NetGalley, #randiminetor, and #wellfleetpress for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to purchasing a hard copy of this book for my collection!
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THIS BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL!
I loved reading the entries for each bird species, and the unique perspective of each bird profile is not your typical statistics, but a holistic, mythological perspective. And not only is the text intriguing, easily read, and immersive, the artwork is incredible.
I am so excited to see this book as a physical book, and will recommend it highly!
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James' rating: 5 out of 5 fun AND informative stars! ✨
The mention of birds and it's folklore pulled me to this book and I loved it! The Aves kingdom was quite fascinating to me. Their ability to fly was a source of envy.
The illustrations are very well done! Beautiful to see as well as helpful in identification. I loved the drawings especially. So cool!
The folklore was quite fascinating. I love the Egyptian mythology and to see stories and references to birds which were a major part of its mythology was a treat to read. There was also helpful information on where they could be found (which I really loved!) and even information about endangered species. I really appreciated the mentions of steps taken to help the vulnerable and endangered species like breeding programs and other reserves.
There's also quite the extensive indexing for easy access. Separate indexing for their IUCN classifications, common names (numbered) as well as their common meanings.
A very fun, informative read I would recommend to bird lovers!
Thanks to Randi Minetor and Wellfleet Press for a fascinating read!
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A glorious book with spectacular illustrations detailing everything you'd want to know about birds, with info on nearly 400 species including history, folklore, and mythology. A wonderful gift for the bird lovers in your life, including me!
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Fascinating, comprehensive, and entertaining - Randi Minetor's "The Complete Language of Birds" is an engaging encyclopedia of birds, providing information not only on the birds themselves, but information about cultural beliefs and traditions associated with them. Want to know the spiritual meaning of seeing a cardinal? It's in here. Is there a bird's nest that's edible? That's in here, too. You could easily get lost in this book, as each entry is so rich with information and intriguing details. You don't have to be a birdwatcher to be able to appreciate this amazing book, but it may inspire you to become one if you aren't already. This is a lovely book, richly illustrated and full of very well-organized information.
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Whenever you hear a chirp, your mind always searches for that tiny being in your surroundings and tries to follow that sound for a while. If you can recognize it, you keep on wondering where they are from and how long they will be here. This is the beauty of nature and of this book, 'The Complete Language of Birds' by Randi Minetor—an encyclopedia for anyone intrigued by birds.
Apart from being definitive and illustrated, what holds the reader beyond flipping the pages is the section ‘Folklore and Facts’. Along with the stories of the birds, the author digs into the perceptions surrounding those stories as well. It is a good book to take on trekking trips or to wildlife expeditions. However, for some birds, neither photographs nor graphical representations are provided, which may make them hard to identify. ‘Symbolic Meaning’ and ‘Possible Powers’ are also sections that surprise the reader and provoke them to think about the birds anew with a fresh perspective. It would be interesting to see what impact the birds mentioned as ‘extinct’ in the recent past had on the environment. Sometimes, the migration of these birds can change the topography of a particular region. Understanding why and how these birds have fallen into this category may help us to understand where humanity is heading.
The author is well-experienced and thoroughly interested in the subject, which echoes throughout the entire book. This kind of literature is not produced without years of research or deep inquiry into the topic. It would be great to read other non-fiction works by the author as well. In addition to the content of the book, the graphics also stand the test of time—they are unique, timeless, and explicit. Special gratitude is owed to the publisher for making such a book accessible to the audience.
I would definitely recommend this book to young people as well as anyone fascinated by birds, hiking, or wildlife. I would love to give five out of five stars to this beautiful encyclopedia by Randi Minetor.
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In my opinion, a "must have" book for bird enthusiasts. It feels a little more beginner-intermediate friendly by being concise about each bird. I further suspect the target audience is a more casual audience/reader base since it has a unique format to include "folklore," "endangered species status," "symbolism," etc., in each entry.
Interesting facts like those make a good potential reference for fictional reference/implementation. Whether being inspired as character/creature designs, stories, and/or characters/creatures themselves. I admire when books intentionally or unintentionally have other uses like that.
The choice of illustrations vs. photos for the birds impresses me. As a hobby artist, the technical skill level of the art astounds me. It's more common to use photos, so I found it to be refreshing to use professional illustrations instead.
Thank you again to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for letting me look through this advance copy. I'll add Randi Minetor to my radar for other non-fiction books.