In the Company of Crows and Ravens - Softcover

Marzluff, John M; Angell, Tony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300122551 ISBN 13: 9780300122558

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2007

Synopsis

From the cave walls at Lascaux to the last painting by Van Gogh, from the works of Shakespeare to those of Mark Twain, there is clear evidence that crows and ravens influence human culture. Yet this influence is not unidirectional, say the authors of this fascinating book: people profoundly influence crow culture, ecology, and evolution as well. Examining the often surprising ways that crows and humans interact, John Marzluff and Tony Angell contend that those interactions reflect a process of "cultural coevolution." They offer a challenging new view of the human-crow dynamic-a view that may change our thinking not only about crows but also about ourselves. Featuring more than 100 original drawings, the book takes a close look at the influences people have had on the lives of crows throughout history and at the significant ways crows have altered human lives. In the Company of Crows and Ravens illuminates the entwined histories of crows and people and concludes with an intriguing discussion of the crow-human relationship and how our attitudes toward crows may affect our cultural trajectory. As the authors state in their preface: "Crows and people share similar traits and social strategies. To a surprising extent, to know the crow is to know ourselves."

About this title

Review:

"A fascinating look at the corvid family, illustrated with Mr. Angell's delightful black-and-white drawings."--Stuart Ferguson, Wall Street Journal

"[A] superb study that should deepen our understanding, and perhaps appreciation, of these fascinating birds."--Library Journal

"[A] superb study that should deepen our understanding, and perhaps appreciation, of these fascinating birds. . . . These intrepid researchers go to extraordinary lengths. . . . Though Angell's more than 100 charming drawings and the authors' zest for their subjects may lend In the Company of Crows and Ravens popular appeal, this is a serious book well suited for academic or large public collections."--Library Journal

". . . intriguing and inspiring insights . . . rich tapestry of folklore and science . . . comprehensive account of the impact of crows on human culture."--Joanna Dally, Science

"Fascinating discussions. . . . A wealth of amazing and amusing anecdotal material."--Nick Devlin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

"[A] delightful blend of science, art, and anthropology."--Booklist

"[A] delightful blend of science, art, and anthropology, biologist Marzluff and illustrator Angell, both fascinated by the corvids, demonstrate why the crows and ravens are worthy of study and respect. . . . The text travels easily from science to folklore to literature, which, along with Angell's lively black-and-white illustrations, recommends this book highly."--Booklist

"Sleek, evocative illustrations--a mysterious light seems to come directly from the eyes and feathers of these birds."--Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"Sleek, evocative illustrations--a mysterious light seems to come directly from the eyes and feathers of these birds. . . . Learning how to slow down and observe animals around us is one simple way to form a stronger bond with nature. In the Company of Crows and Ravens is a subtle and beautiful reminder of this simple truth."--Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"If corvids could read--and it seems they can do damn near everything else--they would surely find this book as entertaining and instructive as this human does."--Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History

". . . beautifully illustrated and produced . . . as gripping and difficult to put down as any good work of fiction."--Alex Kacelnik, Nature

"Gorgeous illustrations. . . . Though Crows and Ravens is beautiful enough for coffee-table-book status, it advances an edgy, even spooky scientific idea: that throughout history, crows and humans have changed one another's culture."--Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times

"Marzluff and Angell provide detailed facts about every extant member of the genus Corvidae. They are particularly good at addressing the effects of human habitat on crows. They provide keen insight into corvid nesting and family habits, show how corvids learn culture, language and behaviour, and recommend ways to balance crow populations."--A. J. Levin, Toronto Globe & Mail

"The authors' systematic exploration of this history is handsomely complemented by dozens of Angell's pen-and-ink drawings."--Roxana Robinson, Wilson Quarterly

"Replete with well-documented stories. . . . After reading this book I'm looking forward more than ever to crows returning to my backyard."--Susan Lumpkin, Zoogoer Magazine

Semi-finalist and recipient of Honorable Mention for the 2006 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Environment/Ecology/Nature category
Winner of the 2006 Washington State Book Award
Winner of First Prize for the Victoria and Albert Museum Illustration Award

"Crows and ravens stir up much interest, precisely for the reasons John Marzluff and Tony Angell give in this handsomely illustrated work."--Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven

"With engaging prose and compelling art, the authors tell us how our interactions with other species, especially crows and ravens, have influenced both us and them over the ages. . . . If you believe that we have great impacts on other species but that they have influenced us relatively little, then you should read this delightfully written and illustrated book."--Gordon H. Orians, University of Washington

"Throughout human history, crows have been reviled and revered in equal measure. Now the corvids of folklore and fable are living up to their reputation for cleverness, trickery and ingenuity. Marzluff and Angell's wonderful book is a user's guide to the biology and culture of these fascinating animals and a testament to man's affinity with nature."--Nathan Emery, University of Cambridge

"Members of the crow family (corvids), which include ravens, jays and magpies, as well crows, have the reputation of being mischievous, machaevellian creatures, who steal other birds' eggs and raid agricultural crops. But these corvids are also renowned for their wisdom as well as their deceit. This fascinating book describes not only the role corvids have played in our folklore but more generally how corvids have influenced human culture and the impact of humans on corvids. I hope this book will afford corvids the respect they deserve."--Nicola Clayton, University of Cambridge

"This is the most detailed account I know of concerning crows and their interaction with man. A very readable and thought-provoking book!"--Noble S. Proctor, Ph.D., author of Manual of Ornithology and A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife

Synopsis:

From the cave walls at Lascaux to the last painting by Van Gogh, from the works of Shakespeare to those of Mark Twain, there is clear evidence that crows and ravens influence human culture. Yet this influence is not unidirectional, say the authors of this fascinating book: people profoundly influence crow culture, ecology, and evolution as well. John Marzluff and Tony Angell examine the often surprising ways that crows and humans interact. The authors contend that those interactions reflect a process of 'cultural coevolution'. They offer a challenging new view of the human-crow dynamic, a view that may change our thinking not only about crows but also about ourselves. Featuring more than 100 original drawings, the book takes a close look at the influences people have had on the lives of crows throughout history and at the significant ways crows have altered human lives. "In the Company of Crows and Ravens" illuminates the entwined histories of crows and people and concludes with an intriguing discussion of the crow-human relationship and how our attitudes toward crows may affect our cultural trajectory.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0300122551
• ISBN 13: 9780300122558
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384