Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle

Discover"Few of us would connect the extravagant costumes of Las Vegas showgirls to avian mating rituals, but that's what biologist Thor Hanson does in this natural and cultural history of the feather. He gives unexpected substance to his nearly weightless subject, traveling from Chinese fossil beds – which provide a fascinating look at the relationship between plumed dinosaurs and modern birds – to a Seattle factory where duck and goose down becomes insulation. He also shares delightful facts, such as why vultures have featherless heads. You'll want to pass these tidbits on."




BBC Wildlife (UK)"[Hanson] looks at, thinks about, dreams of and chases [feathers] across the globe. In doing so, he writes the story of the world as seen through the story of feathers.