Selected Book
Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
- Hardcover
- Edition: 1st
- Author: Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
- Publisher: The Lyons Press
- Release Date: May 2008
- ISBN-10: 1599212943
- ISBN-13: 9781599212944
- List Price: $29.95
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
SummaryRoger Tory Peterson—the Renaissance man who taught Americans the joy of watching birds—also invented the modern field guide. His 1934 landmark Field Guide to the Birds was the first book designed to go outdoors and help people identify the elements of nature. This self-proclaimed “student of nature” combined spectacular writing with detailed illustrations to ultimately publish many other books, winning every possible award and medal for natural science, ornithology, and conservation. Birdwatcher is a comprehensive, illustrated biography of Roger Tory Peterson--a hero in the conservation world--including interviews with friends, family, and protégés. |
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Wonderful story for those interested in RTP
Rating: 
Would I have enjoyed this had I not been a committed Birdwatcher? Probably not.
Unilke Ken Kaufman's masterpiece, "The Kingbird Highway". Or lesser but still stimulating reads, "The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession" or "To See Every Bird on Earth: A Father, a Son, and a Lifelong Obsession" are still written with a general reader in mind. This biography is has neither the flare or the flow to make it interesting to the general reader.
Still, to those of us who love K.K., Pete Dunn and Scott W., it is a joy to read the bio of the Old Man.
A most informative biography of a great ornithologist, artist and educator
Rating:
Based upon interviews with hundreds of Roger Tory Peterson's family, friends and associates, and supported by pertinent excerpts of his and others' writings, Elizabeth J. Rosenthal chose an interesting approach to his biography. The result is a balanced and highly readable history of Roger's central role in building the hobby, sport and science of birding into an essential part of the environmental movement.
Parallel narratives with various themes overlap deliberately, avoiding the problems with a chronological approach which may cause the reader to repeatedly refer back to earlier periods in the life of the subject, in an attempt to piece together people and events. While Peterson's birth, on August 28, 1908 is recorded on the third page, and his death, in 1996, on penultimate page 389, this is not a serial recitation of events. Rather, in nineteen chapters, the author takes us through six selected aspects of his path to fame, revealing not only his great strengths and achievements, but also his weaknesses and failures.
A truant paperboy from Jamestown, NY, twelve year old Roger had an "epiphany," when an apparently lifeless flicker burst into flight at his touch: "Ever since then, birds have seemed to me the most vivid expression of life." Ernest Thompson Seton's Little Savages book inspired the boy Roger to develop a system to identify ducks, and eventually other birds, by their "uniforms," or distinctive plumage characteristics. As a young naturalist at the new Chewonki, Maine Audubon Camp, he introduced this concept to his students. It was to become famous as the "Peterson System" of bird recognition.
In 1936 he married Mildred Washington, who was a camper at Chewonki, but their relationship was strained and lasted only about five years. We follow his early career as educator and bird artist, and in 1937, as author of the groundbreaking A Field Guide to the Birds, through its second revision, in 1939. In 1942 and employed by the National Audubon Society, Peterson viewed the last Ivory-billed Woodpeckers in Louisiana's Singer Tract.
He was drafted into the US Army and married Barbara Coulter, who was to become the most important figure in Roger's life. Barbara learned her birds from the "old Chester Reed guide" that was always on the windowsill of her family's breakfast room. In the Army, Roger conducted a flawed study of DDT which concluded that it is not harmful to birds. Eventually, he joined the science-based campaign to ban the pesticide. He supported Rachel Carson during her long and contentious war with the chemical companies and land grant universities who fought the DDT ban. There followed an extremely productive period of writing, most notably his authorship of Birds Over America, that showcased the beauty of birds as well as his prose. He authored or collaborated on the acclaimed series of Peterson Field Guides, and traveled the world as the most recognizable naturalist of his time.
In the meantime, as Roger expanded his horizons, Barbara Peterson evolved into his general manager. When he co-authored the immensely popular Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, a British ornithologist named James Fisher was editor. They developed a 20 year friendship, embarking in 1953 on the famous hundred day trip around North America from Newfoundland to Alaska via Mexico, to be chronicled in their book Wild America. James's death at a young age devastated Roger.
Often overlooked by casual birders, Peterson's contributions to the cause of bird and habitat conservation are extensively covered in this biography. Besides his work in North America on the decline of the Osprey, Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle due to DDT, he was an imposing force for species preservation at home and abroad. From his bully pulpit, he educated the public and lawmakers about endangered species and the causes of their decline, and effectively lobbied for funding of conservation programs. In Spain, he fought to spare the huge Coto Doñana from agricultural and commercial development. Although the struggle continues to this day, Peterson had a central role in obtaining public support and funds for the Coto's preservation. Likewise for Lake Nakuro in Kenya, especially famous for its millions of flamingos, and Midway Atoll, where Peterson helped thwart a plan to exterminate its entire population of Laysan Albatrosses. And so on: Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, and the Antartic--in each case Roger was instrumental in changing the tide against development and exploitation.
We gain insights into Roger Tory Peterson's personal traits-- his enormous intellect and excellent memory, his shyness, detachment from family life, his absentmindedness and dependence on others to meet many of his personal needs. Yet, he was dissatisfied with his painting career, wishing to devote more time and effort into "painterly" works rather than "illustrations." In his later years he appeared to be competitive with and jealous of the younger field guide authors, and was severely stung when the new crop of birders insensitively criticized and even ridiculed the fourth (1980) revision of his Field Guide.
After years of emotional estrangement, his marriage to Barbara ended amicably in a 1977 divorce, probably because Virginia Westervelt, who subsequently married him, supplied some of the nurturing and adulation which he craved. Virginia exercised great control over Roger's schedule, deciding who could make appointments with him, and when, to the great distress of his family.
Roger was "shortsighted," and some said he was obsessed and wanted to talk and think only about birds. Yet, this greatest weakness was also the source of his strength-- an ability to focus on his subject. And the truth is that Peterson was an extremely well-rounded naturalist, having a great interest in the entire natural world: flowers and insects, and especially ecology. The book details the several times when he neglected his own health and safety in pursuit of birds, the most famous incident being his near-drowning and rescue by the Coast Guard off the coast of Maine.
Roger Tory Peterson's most enduring legacy was the inspiration he provided to a whole new generation of birders. Rosenthal devotes an entire chapter to thumbnail sketches of Peterson's "Worldwide Progeny," who owe so much to their mentor. All are names familiar to serious birders. The book includes fourteen pages of photographs of Roger and his friends and associates through the years, and a list of all the people interviewed by Rosenthal. There are also extensive chapter notes and suggestions for further reading. A very useful feature is the fourteen page index that permits quick cross-reference to people and events.
= = = = = = = =Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson
Birds are the most eloquent expression of reality...
Rating:
Rosenthal has produced an extremely readable and fascinating book about the life of a giant in the field of ornithology. Roger Tory Peterson is perhaps one of the most influential and most important figures in the world of birds. His name is just as recognizable as other giants, like Seton, Nuttall, Audubon, or Darwin. Upon the publication of his first bird field guide in 1934, with his famous field mark system, the public began to embrace birds, and for the first time, bird observation became an accessible pastime for the average person. Peterson's voluminous publishing efforts resulted in possibly the biggest ripple effect in wildlife conservation. Birds and wildlife became a tangible topic for the public to process, as well as a source of inspiration for generations of ecologists and biologists.
Rosenthal's book is divided into five parts spanning 19 chapters: Fledgling, Intercontinental Migration, Paradoxical Homo Sapiens, Conservation Stories, and Inspiring Flights. Near the center of the book is a collection of photo plates (color and B&W) focusing on Peterson and his close friends. The book is written such that Peterson becomes a living, breathing soul through the voices and comments of more than 100 interviewees who knew and loved Peterson. The diligent research conducted by Rosenthal illustrates a highly accurate and personal journey into the life of the "Great Man." Peterson was multi-faceted: he was an artist, photographer, writer, filmmaker, and scientist. But more than just birds interested him; he loved to talk about moths and butterflies and could think in terms of the bigger ecological picture. Rosenthal eloquently communicates just how important and influential Peterson was. He touched many lives, and enough cannot be said how he affected many naturalists and biologists, like Rachel Carson, Kenn Kaufman, David Sibley, and Scott Weidensaul.
Perhaps the biggest theme in the book is Peterson's constant interest in conservation. Nearly everything he wrote came from a conservation standpoint. Birds cannot survive without an intact ecosystem and are indicators of an unhealthy environment. Peterson could tell that something was wrong when the Ospreys quit producing viable eggs or when particular moth species stopped visiting his studio window. Birds are also a form of time. The appearance of a bird indicates a particular season and the absence of a bird where it should be opened the idea that not all is well. Peterson wanted his astute observation skills taught and passed along to future generations. As Peterson wrote in 1975:
Birds are far more than cardinals and jays to brighten the garden, ducks and grouse to fill the sportsman's bag, or warblers and rare shorebirds to be ticked off on the bird watcher's checklist. They are indicators of the environment - a sort of "ecological litmus paper." Because of their high rate of metabolism and furious pace of living, they reflect subtle changes in the environment rather quickly; they warn us of things out of balance. They send out signals when there is a deterioration of the ecosystem. It is inevitable that the intelligent person who watches birds (or mammals or fish or butterflies) becomes environmentally conscious. [Peterson 1975]
Rosenthal also delved into Peterson's personal life and his relationships with various people. His wives and children all had their unique influence on him and how he interacted with the world. Although Peterson may have been a difficult man to live with, he drew people to him for conversation and companionship; he was a good friend. All questions were fair game for lengthy discussions on the natural world. Peterson took many trips to distant places, which were great sources of inspiration and certainly allowed him to feel at ease in the element he loved the most: nature as nature should be.
Rosenthal's book is excellent. For anyone interested in nature, birding, or natural history, "Birdwatcher" is a must-read. Never before has the life of Roger Tory Peterson been so well documented, and as you read the book, you will undoubtedly come to realize that you knew Roger all along, at least in spirit, since everything is connected: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe" (Muir 1911).
Muir, J. 1911. My First Summer in the Sierra. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass.
Peterson, R. T. 1975. Man's Role in Nature. The American Biology Teacher 37(2):90-93.
The Ornithology King
Rating:
Finally, the most informative and honest account of the life of a man who galvanized the bird-watching revolution with his great art work. Peterson bird books are available for most of the world now, and this was the shy fellow who did them. I was part of the crowd who followed him even before he published his first book, on the birds of eastern North America. In retrospect, I realize it is not the most happy thing to become so very famous, but he weathered the life of a celebrity as well as he possibly could. This should be in every bird-watcher's library!
She Brings Him to Life
Rating:
This is an accurate and vital portrait of Roger Tory Peterson. The author brings the visionary artist/conservationist back to life: She interviewed over 100 surviving colleagues and proteges, so the book is full of excellent quotes and great stories. She also quotes extensively from RTP's writings. The result feels alive, not dry or academic. It is a remarkable form of biography, and is also carefully accurate in my experience. One gets a sense of how environmental education and conservation were done: The field guides; the DDT story; restoration of endangered birds such as the Peregrine Falcon (and RTP's similar vision for the California Condor); and great land conservation campaigns such as the Coto Donana in Spain; are all carefully and colorfully documented. This is great reading, and it is an engaging book for students too.
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