The Delightful Horror of Family Birding. Eli J. Knapp

The Delightful Horror of Family Birding

Praise for The Delightful Horror of Family Birding

“Eli Knapp’s essays capture the special, quirky, inquisitive nature of bird watchers. Whether he’s teaching his sometimes-receptive college students about birds or mixing birds and nature into a family outing, he weaves engaging tales of these experiences, leaving the reader wanting more of his well-told stories. He’s at the head of the class among the new generation of nature writers.”

—Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest

“I have a secret crush on Eli Knapp. Although I have never met him, he is truly charming, and through his stories, I feel like I know him—and I adore him. He is a masterful storyteller—self-depricating, witty, and always eager to learn life lessons from his experiences. His stories are fun, funny, moving, clever, and always full of birds! It is a brighter day when I receive a new story by Eli Knapp and get to spend a few minutes in his life.”

—Dawn Hewitt, managing editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest

“Eli Knapp’s engaging stories surge from a deep spring of humor and insight into nature (both human and wild). His curiosity and sense of wonder will send you eagerly outdoors, binoculars in hand and family in tow, to see what the birds are doing. Light-hearted and astute, witty and wise, these charming essays reveal the joyful possibilities of a meaningful connection with the wild world.”

—Julie Hammonds, writer and birder

“Eli J. Knapp lets nature lead him and thereby—in this important collection of essays—he leads us to deeper perceptions of the bounty of nature. Humorous, a little irreverent. You learn about birds without even knowing.”

—Peter Kahn, author of The Human Relationship with Nature

“An engaging and witty self-portrait of one man’s amiable obsession—and an honest exploration of how he attempts to transmit this passion to his children and his students. A very fun read—and you’ll learn a good deal of bird biology along the way.”

—Thomas Lowe Fleischner, Executive Director of the Natural History Institute and editor of Nature, Love, Medicine

“In this collection of short, smart, humorous, easily digestible essays, birds are the stars of the show and also the vehicle Knapp uses to share wisdom, inspiration, and awe.”

—Melanie Bishop, author of My So-Called Ruined Life

The DELIGHTFUL HORROR OF Family Birding

SHARING NATURE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION

The DELIGHTFUL HORROR OF Family Birding

SHARING NATURE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION

By Eli J. Knapp

Illustrations by John Rhett

TORREY HOUSE PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY • TORREY

First Torrey House Press Edition, October 2018

Published by Torrey House Press

Salt Lake City, Utah