Sightings: Extraordinary Encounters with Ordinary Birds

By Sam Keen

Sam Keen, the New York Times best-selling author of Fire in the Belly , has spent a lifetime reflecting on nature. In Sightings , a collection of essays, bird watching forms the basis for observations spiritual and soulful, witty and wise. He describes his childhood ramblings in the silence of the Tennessee wilderness as feeling distinctly more spiritualthan the hard pews of his grandmother's church. Later in life, the presumed extinction and subsequent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker prompts a meditation on the nature of the sacred. Blessed with moments of beauty and the insight to recognize them as such, Keen translates the marvels of nature into the language of heart and soul.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811859762
• ISBN13: 9780811859769
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Read this book and be charmed

This is an endearing, lovingly written book. You need not read it straight through, but can pick it up and set it down and pick it up again and be charmed every time. I appreciated the spiritual element to it a great deal. This book is a wonderful way to rekindle your private awe and wonder of the quotidian. Seller was great, book was in as advertised condition. Highly recommend.

Wonderful Little Book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is just as much philosophical as it is about birds. I enjoyed it so much I bought another copy to give to one of my good friends who is enjoying birdwatching for the first time. We also discuss life, religion, nature, politics, etc., and this book offers its thoughts on many subjects through the author's encounters with birds. Birdwatching is a catalyst for ruminating, daydreaming, and wonder. Additionally, (and not just an afterthought) the illustrations in the book are absolutely beautiful and delightful.

variety of birds

Don't expect a book of ornithological trivia. This book dabbles a little into the specifics of each bird (each chapter is about a different bird) but is mainly a set of stories about the author's life and how birds effected it. Nice colored drawings and the stories are short and mostly sweet.

Inspiring book for those who love nature, reflection, birding & sam keen

Just a very special little book to have by a favorite chair or to tuck in a bag when waiting somewhere. As a world birder, mountainer, philosopher and someone constantly IN nature, this was an added treat to my collection of "reflection" books--no pedagogy here, just appreciation!!

quick and fun read

Birder recipient immediately dived into it and it kept him occupied while everything else swirled around him---a good sign.

A lovely book

According to Sam Keen, the author of this fine little book, birders are, "unusually susceptible to the emotion of awe." Perhaps that is why I like it so much. It is a little book about a large subject. The book is a search for wisdom. Mr. Keen has collected many moments from his life when birds opened for him vistas into metaphysical realities. Occasional sightings of birds opened what he calls the sacred to his view. Indigo Buntings, Cardinals, Turkey Vultures, Wild Turkeys, Mourning Doves, Owls and Wood Thrushes are just a few of the birds which have carried him-- and will carry his readers --to moments of joy.