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Nature. Travel. Nonfiction. HTML:A classic in the making �?? an account of the biggest year in birdwatching history. In the USA, some 50 million people lay claim to being bird-watchers or �??birders,�?� spending billions of dollars on birding-related travel and membership fees every year. A select, and utterly obsessed, few compete in one of the world�??s quirkiest contests �?? the race to spot the most species in North America in a single year. And 1998 wasn�??t just a big year. It was the biggest. The Big Year is Pulitzer Prize-winner Mark Obmascik�??s account of what was to become the greatest birding year of all time. It was freak weather conditions that ensured all previous records were broken, but what becomes clear within the pages of this classic portrait of obsession is that while our feathered friends may be the objective of the Big Year competition, it�??s the curious activities and behavioural patterns of the pursuing �??homo sapiens�?� that are the real cause for concern. It is a contest that reveals much of the human character in extremes. Such are the author�??s powers of observation that he brilliantly brings to life and gets under the skin of these extraordinary, eccentric and obsessive birders while empathizing with and eventually succumbing to the all-consuming nature of their obsession. The result is a wonderfully funny, acutely observed classic to rank a… (more)
User reviews
What it is, is the story of 3 guys in 1998 competing to see who can spot the most species of birds in North America in one
Actually, I mentioned to my cousin (who is a fanatical birder) that I had read this and he said that in fact he came in 4th that year. Who knew.
Mark Obmascik brings this adventure alive by following the entire birding year of these three competitors. It is amazing to think that anyone has the fortitude to do this kind of birding. Although some may perceive part of the book as humorous, I had been too taken aback by the difficult situations in which the birders found themselves to do much laughing while reading this story. It may be an obsessive hobby, but as a faux-birder myself, I can see the lure and fun of doing this…albeit on a much smaller scale.
This book is ultimately about a quest. Like Know-it-all and Julie and Julia, it's a highly enjoyable look into the hearts and minds of people who set a near impossible, impractical,
This book is centered on three men trying for a new record big year in 1998. A big year is the total number of birds seen in the North American continent North of Mexico and not including Greenland during that calendar
The book is enjoyable as a birding travelogue and will certainly appeal to birders, especially those who have always wanted to do the same. The book was written after the year was over and the author interviewed the three main characters as well as several others involved in the year. The book generally follows the year although when dealing with some events the timing will alter. At no time is the book confusing. The author is able to give a brief idea of the drive behind some birders and this is the same drive of anyone with a passion. The characters are interesting and although they have their faults it is enjoyable to read about people who have a passion that is not main stream. Recommended.
This book by Mark Obmascik, a fellow Colorado birder, describes the obsessive effort three men are willing to make to see the most North American birds in a single year. The book is about to be made into a movie featuring (I hear) Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. It is entirely possible that this might be the first time a movie will be better than the book. In any case, I intend to see it the first week it is out. This book is a fun read for any serious birder. Anyone else already believes we are completely nuts.
The book is of course different, but I would never have picked up the book if I had not seen the movie.
The book does not disappoint, and that it deals with a
The tale of men pursuing their "Big Year" was fun to see as a movie, and fun to read in the book. So much so that I might even think that I too could be a bird watcher for a moment.
But ultimately I am not wired that way to try and remember what 700+ different species of North American birds are. That there are people like that, good. Just not me.
That there is a tale that honors them, well worth all our time and effort to read.
This book can help those of you not quite so giddy with