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Last of the Curlews

by Fred Bodsworth

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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1682160,868 (4.16)7
In this conservation classic, originally published more than sixty years ago, Fred Bodsworth tells the story of a solitary Eskimo curlew's perilous migration and search for a mate. The lone survivor comes to stand for the entirety of a species on the brink of extinction, and for all in nature that is endangered. This new paperback edition includes a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin and an afterword by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann.… (more)
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    The Peregrine Falcon by Robert Murphy (Sandydog1)
    Sandydog1: Both contain fictionalized life stories.
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The Eskimo Curlew once migrated in vast flocks from South America to the Arctic, it was a popular game bird for its ease in shooting and its superior numbers. Its numbers rapidly deteriorated in the late 19th century and at the time of Bodsworth's writing this novel there were years between sightings and then the bird was alone.

The novel is from the perspective of a male curlew and begins with him defending a territory against other similar birds and waiting for anther of his kind to appear. Unlike many nature books little attempt is made to humanize him. He acts from instinct. He waits. At the end of the season he makes the difficult migration south, traveling with other migratory birds, but always seeking a female. Chapters are bookended with newspaper and journal accounts chronologically covering the Eskimo Curlew's decline and the evolutionary reasons the Eskimo Curlew was so ill-adapted to fleeing gunfire. This is a sad story and there is no wriggle room: this is our fault.

I had an illustration from this book framed and hung on my wall as a kid. My mother had copied it for an art class when she was in middle school, its a solitary bird looking out over an empty field. It wasn't until recently I found this book at a library book sale but I was reluctant to open the flood gates. It wasn't until the last weekend before my wedding I decided to get some books off my list - this is a tiny novel, but hard to get through emotionally. my fiancee came home to be crying my eyes out on the bed. With that hearty recommendation I'll also add the book is a must-read for those interested in protecting endangered species and a classic of nature writing. ( )
  ManWithAnAgenda | Feb 18, 2019 |
A very good anthromorphozation of a vanishing (vanished ?) bird. ( )
  JNSelko | Jun 15, 2008 |
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» Add other authors (3 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Fred Bodsworthprimary authorall editionscalculated
Gell-Mann, MurrayAfterwordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Merwin, W. S.Introductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rorer, AbigailIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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In this conservation classic, originally published more than sixty years ago, Fred Bodsworth tells the story of a solitary Eskimo curlew's perilous migration and search for a mate. The lone survivor comes to stand for the entirety of a species on the brink of extinction, and for all in nature that is endangered. This new paperback edition includes a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin and an afterword by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann.

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