Avian Illuminations : a Cultural History of Birds / Boria Sax.

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sax, Boria (Author)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: London : Reaktion Books, Limited, 2021.
Subjects:
Online Access:Click for online access
Description
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.
Physical Description:1 online resource (415 pages) : illustrations
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN:9781789144314
1789144310
Source of Description, Etc. Note:Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on September 20, 2021).