The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird

The Bald Eagle is a majestic and noble bird, but it has been savaged by Americans as a malicious predator of livestock and a snatcher of babies. Jack E. Davis contrasts the age when native peoples lived beside it peacefully with the times when others pushed it to the brink of extinction. The book tells the stories of Founding Fathers, rapacious hunters, heroic bird rescuers, and the lives of bald eagles themselves, and how their journey can provide inspiration today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

The bald eagle is a regal yet fearless bird, a symbol that Americans have celebrated for centuries as majestic and noble. However, behind their national symbol, they have relentlessly savaged the living bird as a malicious predator of livestock and, falsely, a snatcher of babies. Jack E. Davis takes us on a journey from before the United States founding to the inconceivable resurgences of this enduring all-American species. He contrasts the age when native peoples lived peacefully alongside the bald eagle with the times when others, through hunting bounties or DDT pesticides, twice pushed Haliaeetus leucocephalus to the brink of extinction.

The Bald Eagle is a captivating cultural and natural history that delves into the remarkable journey of the bald eagle. It tells the stories of Founding Fathers, rapacious hunters, heroic bird rescuers, and the lives of these magnificent creatures themselves. Monogamous by nature, bald eagles are considered among the finest parents in the animal world. The book offers a timely perspective, as we face environmental challenges on a larger scale, highlighting how the bald eagle's journey can inspire us today.

Through vivid anecdotes and detailed research, Davis paints a vivid picture of the bald eagle's history and its significance to American culture. He explores the bird's evolution, habitat, and behavior, and sheds light on the efforts to protect and restore this iconic species. The Bald Eagle also delves into the cultural and symbolic meanings of the bald eagle, from its appearance in American art and literature to its role in American patriotism.

The book is filled with spectacular stories of bald eagles' resilience and determination. It tells of the efforts of bird rescuers who have saved countless bald eagles from extinction, and of the scientists who have studied these birds to better understand their behavior and conservation needs. The bald eagle's journey is a testament to the power of human compassion and the importance of protecting our natural heritage.

In conclusion, The Bald Eagle is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural and natural history, wildlife conservation, or simply the wonders of the natural world. It provides a captivating perspective on the bald eagle's journey, highlighting its regal yet fearless nature, its historical significance, and its potential for inspiration in today's environmental challenges.

Weight: 775g
Dimension: 244 x 165 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781631495250