Flight from Grace: A Cultural History of Humans and Birds

Human animals are causing a sixth extinction on Earth, compromising our natural environment and leading to the disappearance of birds and other animals. Flight from Grace explores how human reverence for birds has evolved, tracing it from the Stone Age to the present day and examining how anthropocentrism and belittling of nature have led to our ecological dilemma. The book suggests that the replacement of an animistic worldview with a mechanistic one has led humans to deny their animality and calls on readers to appreciate how our past relationship with birds might help transform our current relationship with nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Human animals are causing a sixth extinction on Earth, despoiling nature and compromising our natural environment. Birds and other animals are disappearing at an alarming rate, leading to a profound loss of biodiversity. Flight from Grace, written by Richard Pope, delves into the complex reasons behind this ecological crisis. The book explores human reverence for birds from ancient times to the present, tracing the development of anthropocentrism and the belittling of nature that have led to our current predicament.

Through a critical examination of Judaeo-Christian and ancient Greek thought, Pope demonstrates how these ideologies contributed to the separation of humans from nature. The book also features striking images of cultural artifacts, illustrating the paradoxical relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Flight from Grace argues that the replacement of an animistic worldview with a mechanistic one has led humans to deny their animality. The book calls on readers to appreciate the lessons from our past relationship with birds and use them to transform our current relationship with nature.

The book emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature and recognizing our role as stewards of the planet. It encourages readers to adopt sustainable practices and advocate for conservation efforts to protect the biodiversity and ecosystems that sustain us.

In conclusion, Flight from Grace is a thought-provoking and informative book that sheds light on the devastating consequences of human actions on the environment. It offers a compelling argument for a renewed relationship with nature and provides valuable insights into the factors that have led to our ecological crisis. By understanding our past and embracing our role as stewards of the planet, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and harmonious future for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 1246g
Dimension: 216 x 263 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228005308