Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Dry, dull, and tedious on what should have been an exciting topic. Had to stop at page 115, one quarter through. Such a disappointment.
Generally interesting but in need of an editor. Difficult to get through at times because the described experiments seem cruel to the ravens.
I read the book on a whim. I like corvids but where I live we actually have no ravens, just a smart magpie couple (and ATM their two inquisitive kids), so I don't actually have any personal experience with ravens from closer than a few meters when I sometimes manage to spot them on trips.
I knew little, and therefore learned a lot. But it seems to me that in the nearly 2 decades since the book first came out the scientists' general attitude towards animal intelligence and consciousness has shifted somewhat. Seems to me the concept is much more widely accepted these days.
Even though the book was certainly extremely interesting, I can't go higher than 4/5 for it, as I had a small problem with Heinrich's writing style: some parts read too much like lifted from a dissertation or a science mag, which can sometimes clash with the more poetic and anecdote-y rest of it. That makes it a bit of an uneven, slightly challenging read. But still, hands down, definitely worth the read if you're interested in the topic!
I knew little, and therefore learned a lot. But it seems to me that in the nearly 2 decades since the book first came out the scientists' general attitude towards animal intelligence and consciousness has shifted somewhat. Seems to me the concept is much more widely accepted these days.
Even though the book was certainly extremely interesting, I can't go higher than 4/5 for it, as I had a small problem with Heinrich's writing style: some parts read too much like lifted from a dissertation or a science mag, which can sometimes clash with the more poetic and anecdote-y rest of it. That makes it a bit of an uneven, slightly challenging read. But still, hands down, definitely worth the read if you're interested in the topic!
This is mostly a book of anecdotal stories of the author and “tamed” ravens in unnatural settings, with little science and very few conclusions drawn. Basically, a rewriting of field notes and telling of tales. Overall, it’s an easy read, but there isn’t much to be gleaned or learned from it for the size of the book. I like the author’s style and honesty around his observations, I just which he would have focused more on the science of ravens and birds, and less on personal stories, many of which led to nothing. (It is clear from several chapters that he has the scientific knowledge and insight, it just isn’t often expressed or exposed.) Not much else to it, unfortunately.
Really beautiful exploration of raven being and cultural production, but just a bit too long for me. He structures most chapters with engaging descriptions from his own experiences with Ravens, especially the four he raises (he’s raised others, but he focuses on a particular set of four), followed by detailed observation, and then stitching it together. Sometimes the observation can be a bit tedious, but it’s also sometimes fun to try and draw your own conclusions before he does! It’s just that 400 pages can be a lot of space to repeatedly do that. Know a lot about ravens now though!
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Great read! It did take me quite some time to finish but I enjoyed it. Raven's have always fascinated me and this book added to my wonder as well as adding insight to some raven behaviors or, at least, a place from where understanding may be inferred.
First portion of the book was great! Discussed various parts of a raven's life, mind and behaviors. The last couple chapters were very dense as it got into the nitty gritty of neurology, emotions and consciousness vs intelligence. Very good, informative read.
First portion of the book was great! Discussed various parts of a raven's life, mind and behaviors. The last couple chapters were very dense as it got into the nitty gritty of neurology, emotions and consciousness vs intelligence. Very good, informative read.
informative
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Ravens are fascinating and I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't force myself to finish it. In between highly interesting sections, the author spends a great effort describing all (!) details of experiments and field observations. If you're interested in ravens *and* want to find out in which posture he was hiding in some bush at 9:00 AM, then in which other posture at 10:00, and if he heard the wind blow at 10:15, go for it.
informative
slow-paced