I'm not really keen on birds, but this book took my breath away. Carl Safina takes us to a small group of islands near Hawaii, where the albatross gathers to breed. There he joins a group of scientists not only studying nesting seabirds, but also sea turtles and sharks. In eloquent language Safina paints a living picture of these birds' lives and the delicate ecosystem of the oceans they depend upon. Even in these far-flung islands uninhabited by man, there are grave indications of mankind's influence upon the environment: ocean pollution, birds and mammals choking on plastics, the pervasive presence of a weed unwittingly introduced by a visitor to the island. The bird colony was so vividly portrayed at times I felt I was sitting there myself among the screaming thousands- in a place beautiful, harsh and remote. Even if you think, like me, that birds are a rather alien species, I would recommend Eye of the Albatross. It is an incredible book.

from the Dogear Diary ( )

I'm in love with Safina. I want him to write more books, right away. I want to sell all my worldly goods and devote my life to saving birds.

Safina's a delicious prose stylist with a clear, burning passion for animals. Highly recommended. ( )

I wasn't taken by this book - perhaps beacause I'm not a bird lover. However, I've always respected Safina's passion and commiment to the sustainability of our oceans and environment. There are moments in this book where the writing is truly poetic, eliciting insights into the links between animals and humans that make you lift your head from the page and pause to think. I'll continue reading Safina's works for these moments. He's also a fantastic speaker/presenter. It's worth Youtubing his work if you're interested. ( )

Carl Safina takes us on a long journey over the oceans with Amelia, an albatross who's been tagged so she can be followed by satellite. In the process, we learn not only about the incredible voyages of the albatross, but of the complex and fascinating ocean ecosystem that she depends on. Unfortunately, the human impact on the oceans, and all the life that depends on them, cannot be ignored -- wasteful and unsustainable fishing practices, the tons of plastic garbage that wind up in the water, the depredation of island and atoll habitats. It has been a couple of years since I read this book, but certain descriptions -- such as that of a mother albatross unable to feed her chick because a toothbrush is stuck in her throat, or how the Japanese almost exterminated colonies of albatross by hunting them -- will never be forgotten. Despite some truly horrible (though they need to be said) descriptions, the book's subtitle is "Visions of Hope and Survival," and some of my favorite parts involved researchers who are trying to help the species, such as a Japanese biologist who is striving to restore an albatross colony. Everyone who loves birds -- or the ocean -- should read this book!