Ravens in Winter
![]() First edition | |
Author | Bernd Heinrich |
---|---|
Illustrator | Bernd Heinrich |
Language | English |
Subject | Animal behaviour, Common raven, Scientific method |
Published | 1989 (Summit Books) |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (Hardback) |
Pages | 379 |
ISBN | 9780671678098 |
OCLC | 19886833 |
Ravens in Winter is a 1989 book by Bernd Heinrich. It is a study of the behaviour of ravens in the forests of Maine.
Reception
A review of Ravens in Winter by Publishers Weekly wrote "The story related here, which is constructed from his [Heinrich's] field notes, moves slowly; we learn a good deal about scientific methods and a lot about patience. Overall, however, the book is suspenseful and exciting."[1] A New Scientist review summarised the book concluding "It also contains Heinrich's own - and excellent - drawings of the various raven postures, a comprehensive review of the literature, beginning with the Bible, and even a section of the ravens of the Tower of London."[2]
Psychologists acknowledge that "Heinrich's helpful ravens [as discussed in Ravens in Winter] are now a classic example of animal altruism"[3]
It was a Evergreen Audubon & Nature Center Book of the Month.[4]
Ravens in Winter has also been reviewed by AudioFile,[5] Scientific American,[6] The Condor,[7] The Sewanee Review,[8] and Library Journal.[9]
References
- ^ "Ravens in Winter: A Zoological Detective Story". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. October 1, 1989. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
- ^ Jonathan Beard (November 25, 1989). "Review: Altruistic ravens". New Scientist. 124 (1692). Reed Business Information Ltd: 70.
- ^ Sadie F. Dingfelder (December 2006). "Altruism: an accident of nature?". Monitor on Psychology. 37 (11). American Psychological Association: 44. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
- ^ JoAnn Hackos. "Book of the Month: Ravens in Winter". evergreenaudubon.org. The Evergreen Audubon & Nature Center. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
Reading this account gives us great insight into the working methods of a research scientist. It also hopes (sic) us understand the passion, joy, and heartache that Heinrich puts into his work.
- ^ "RAVENS IN WINTER (Books on tape)". audiofilemagazine.com. November 1992. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
The book is written in the first person with little conversation. Michael Russotto's matter-of-fact reading conveys the seriousness and cautious excitement of field research as well as its painstaking methodology. His dispassionate delivery suits the topic, but doesn't make the presentation dull. You'll never look at ravens or their crow cousins the same way again!
- ^ Glen E. Woolfenden (September 1991). "Review: Ravens in Winter by Bernd Heinrich". Scientific American. 79 (5). Springer Nature: 464. JSTOR 29774490.
- ^ Raymond Pierotti (August 1991). "Review: Ravens in Winter by Bernd Heinrich". The Condor. 93 (3). American Ornithological Society: 788, 789. JSTOR 1368220.
- ^ David Miller (1992). "Dancing with Dolphins, Singing to Ravens, and Seeing the Elephant". The Sewanee Review. 100 (3). Johns Hopkins University Press: 484–192. JSTOR 27546573.
- ^ "Ravens in winter: Reviews". catalog.wccls.org. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
This is an engrossing account of wild animal field study, with an appendix of research data for those wishing to probe further. Of interest to both students and nature buffs.