Book Review: Crow by Boria Sax

Just before Christmas I read Billy Collins’ recommendation of the Animal Series by Reaktion Books, at the New York Times website. Each book in the series focuses on one animal and its relationship with humans: in myth, religion, literature, art, popular culture, etc…. Simply put, it is biology for the liberal arts major.

I used an Amazon gift card (the greatest gift anyone could ever give me, by the way) to purchase two volumes. The first to arrive was Crow, by Boria Sax. In honor of a trip I am planning to Isle Royale this summer, I also ordered Moose by Kevin Jackson. It has not yet arrived. Already I know that I will be ordering many more from the series.

Crow explores crows, ravens and other members of the Corvus genus… including my favorite of all birds, magpies. Since members of the corvus family live through out the world, Sax explores their cultural history and significance in practically every culture on earth including: the Ancient Near East, China, Europe and Native American culture. The result is an absorbing and entertaining book that is difficult to put down.

The other books in the Animal Series by Reaktion Books are listed below with links. I am hoping that one on Bison is in the works.

Ant
Charlotte Sleigh

Ape
John Sorenson

Bear
Robert E. Bieder

Bee
Claire Preston

Camel
Robert Irwin

Cat
Katharine M. Rogers

Chicken
Annie Potts

Cockroach
Marion Copeland

Cow
Hannah Velten

Crow
Boria Sax

Dog
Susan McHugh

Donkey
Jill Bough

Duck
Victoria de Rijke

Eel
Richard Schweid

Elephant
Dan Wylie

Falcon
Helen Macdonald

Fly
Steven Connor

Fox
Martin Wallen

Giraffe
Edgar Williams

Hare
Simon Carnell

Horse
Elaine Walker

Kangaroo
John Simons

Lion
Deirdre Jackson

Lobster
Richard J. King

Moose
Kevin Jackson

Mosquito
Richard Jones

Otter
Daniel Allen

Owl
Desmond Morris

Oyster
Rebecca Stott

Parrot
Paul Carter

Peacock
Christine E. Jackson

Penguin
Stephen Martin

Pig
Brett Mizelle

Pigeon
Barbara Allen

Rat
Jonathan Burt

Rhinoceros
Kelly Enright

Salmon
Peter Coates

Shark
Dean Crawford

Snail
Peter Williams

Snake
Drake Stutesman

Sparrow
Kim Todd

Spider
Katarzyna Michalska and Sergiusz Michalski

Swan
Peter Young

Tiger
Susie Green

Tortoise
Peter Young

Trout
James Owen

Vulture
Thom van Dooren

Whale
Joe Roman

Wolf
Garry Marvin

 

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Book Reviews, Daily Blog Animal Series, Billy Collins, Boria Sax, Crow, magpie, New York Times, Reaktion Books