Paul A. Johnsgard (1931–2021)

In the manner of Aldo Leopold, Johnsgard writes with a love of the land, in a layman's tone, through the eyes of a scientist. Lay people reading this, however, may be somewhat discouraged by the tables and graphs; these could be skipped, and still get the idea of the work. Johnsgard obviously loves the Sandhills, and his love shines through. A good book, well worth the read, but spoiled by the last sentence in which he dismisses all Ecologists with a statement so false that it is obviously a show more bone to his readers to compensate for the fact that he didn't give agriculture a pass in discussing human impacts in the Sandhills. show less

An enjoyable coffee table book, easy to read text accompanying the real star of the show, the pictures. The text is such that it doesn't get in the way of enjoying the faces, and the book is short and quick to read. A few comments throughout the book of a personal nature by the photographer add to the sense of the wild, of being somewhere other than in the ordinary working world. This is the sort of book that reminds us gently what's really important in the world, and how close we are to show more losing it. show less

It is an excellent coffee table-sized book filled with the most splendidly beautiful photographs as National Geographic is as well-known to capture as I've ever seen. It also has well-written compositions by nature writers from Audubon, the Smithsonian, Natural History, etc., about bird natural history and conservation efforts. Any bird lover would want this book.

This is a coffe table sized book filled with the most stunningly beautiful photographs I've ever seen. It also has well written essays by nature writers from Audobon, the Smithsonian, Natural History, etc., about bird natural history and conservation efforts. Any bird lover would want this book. Highly recommended!