Pelican

Allen, Barbara

ISBN 10: 1789140757 / ISBN 13: 9781789140750

Published by Reaktion Books, 2019

Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1789140757I3N00

Synopsis:

With its distinctive, comical walk, large bill and association with the conservation movement, the pelican has attained iconic status. But the pelican has a chequered history. Classed as ‘unclean’ in the King James Bible, the legend of the compassionate pelican was later appropriated by Christianity to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice. This majestic bird, gifted to British royalty in 1664, has been celebrated in art and literature, from Shakespeare’s King Lear to the writing of Edward Lear, and is the recipient of three Guinness World Records. The pelicans’ anatomy has been copied for paper plane construction, aircraft design and in 3D imaging, while it has fought back from the threats of extinction, habitat destruction and environmental disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Its resilience is as remarkable as its anatomy. In this must-read book for all bird enthusiasts, Barbara Allen skillfully weaves together wildlife trivia, historical tales and the latest research to provide an engaging account of the cultural and natural history of this emblematic bird.

About the Author: Barbara Allen is a minister in the Uniting Church in Australia. Her books include Pigeon (2009), Animals in Religion (2016), Pelican (2019) and Lost Animals, Disappearing Worlds: Stories of Extinction (2025), all published by Reaktion Books.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Pelican
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Publication Date: 2019
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket