Avian illuminations : a cultural history of birds / Boria Sax.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sax, Boria, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Animals and civilization.

Animals and history.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (417 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

London, England : Reaktion Books, [2021]

Summary:

An exquisitely illustrated journey through the complex and crucial relationship between humans and birds.Avian Illuminations examines the many roles birds have played in human society, from food, messengers, deities, and pets, to omens, muses, timekeepers, custodians, hunting companions, decorative motifs, and, most importantly, embodiments of our aspirations. Boria Sax narrates the history of our relationships with a host of bird species, including crows, owls, parrots, falcons, eagles, nightingales, hummingbirds, and many more. Along the way, Sax describes how birds' nesting has symbolized human romance, how their flight has inspired inventors throughout history, and he concludes by showing that the interconnections between birds and humans are so manifold that a world without birds would effectively mean an end to human culture itself. Beautifully illustrated, Avian Illuminations is a superb overview of humanity's long and rich association with our avian companions.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Introduction

Part One : Birds in Philosophy and Religion

1: Parallel Worlds

2: Phoenix and Thunderbird

3: Bird Divination

4: Bird Souls

5: Migration and Pilgrimage

Part Two: Birds in History

6: Nature-cultures

7: Avian Politics

8: Falconry

9: Plato's 'Man'

Part Three: Birds in Art

10: From Caves to Cathedrals

11: Art or Illustration?

12: Birds, Flowers and Time

13: The Nightingale and the Rose

Conclusion : Birds and the Future

14: Extinction

15: Protection and Revival

References

Further Reading

Websites about Birds

Acknowledgements

Photo Acknowledgements

Index of Birds

General Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781789144314

1789144310

OCLC:

1264472590