Birding on Borrowed Time tells, in her own words, the remarkable story of Phoebe Snetsigner, the woman who saw more birds in her life than any other human being in the history of the world. Phoebe's quest to see as many birds as possible only began at the age of 34, when she first laid eyes on a resplendent Blackburnian Warbler. Both a lively chronicle of birding adventures and a profoundly moving human document, Birding on Borrowed Time is the memoir of a truly extraordinary woman. The book includes 45 illustrations by renowned avian artist H. Douglas Pratt (including 16 full-color plates), appendices, indices, and a map showing Phoebe's travel destinations.
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About the Author
Phoebe Snetsigner's quest to see as many birds as possible only began at the age of 34, when she first laid eyes on a resplendent Blackburnian Warbler. After her belated awakening to the avian marvels around her, Phoebe began traveling across the globe, to all seven continents, observing and learning as much as she could about the world's thousands of bird species. The intensity and urgency of her quest were quickened when a cancer diagnosis led doctors to give her one year to live. Instead of succumbing to despair, Phoebe pursued her passion and strove to live what remained of her life to its fullest. Miraculously, she defied her death sentence, living on to see more of the world and more new birds for 17 additional years. Along the way, she faced other hazards: a brutal assault and rape in New Guinea, a shipwreck, earthquakes, and political upheaval, along with recurrences of malignant melanoma. But in the end she triumphed over adversity and fulfilled her lifelong dream by becoming the first person to see more than 8,000 of the world's birds - a remarkable achievement that required passion, knowledge, skill, dedication, and persistence.
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40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By WPM
Format:Paperback
This autobiography by the world's foremost birdwatcher is an inspiring story for everyone. Phoebe Snetsinger, at the age of 34, and after being diagnosed with malignant melanoma and given 6 months to live, dedicated herself to birding. For Phoebe this meant not only finding the birds, but learning everything she could about them, and then recording her experiences in great detail. In spite of recurrent episodes of her cancer, a gang rape in New Guinea, and many other misadventures, she succeeded in seeing over 8000 species of birds, a world record that may never be surpassed. She visited almost every area of the world several times, and tells her story with wit and charm. The book has many beautiful illustrations.
For anyone interested in birds this is a must read; others will enjoy reading the well written adventures of an intrepid lady.
Tragically, Phoebe was killed in a bus accident in Madagascar about 2 years ago, shortly after seeing one of her most wanted birds, a red-shouldered vanga.
63 of 69 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This title is NOT out of print. You can purchase new, first edition copies through the American Birding Association's ABA Sales for $17.95 plus shipping. Call 800-634-7736 to order your copy today!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had read this book a couple of years ago and just finished the other Phoebe Snetsinger book "Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds by
Olivia Gentile.
In this, Snetsinger's autobiography, she is focused more on her birding, her world travels to see the 8,400+ species she found, and some of the reasons and motivations for her accomplishments. Gentile's book details more of Snetsinger's background, family life, and suppositions for her behavior.
I personally found this book the more interesting of the two as I am more interested in world travel and birding. I wanted to know what it would be like if you had the time and money (like Snetsinger)to go wherever you wanted what that life could be like. I appreciated the detail of the travels to Peru, India, Kenya, Australia, Papau New Guinea, rather than the family information presented in Gentile's biography, although other readers that are not interested in birding may find that book more readable.
Olivia Gentile.
In this, Snetsinger's autobiography, she is focused more on her birding, her world travels to see the 8,400+ species she found, and some of the reasons and motivations for her accomplishments. Gentile's book details more of Snetsinger's background, family life, and suppositions for her behavior.
I personally found this book the more interesting of the two as I am more interested in world travel and birding. I wanted to know what it would be like if you had the time and money (like Snetsinger)to go wherever you wanted what that life could be like. I appreciated the detail of the travels to Peru, India, Kenya, Australia, Papau New Guinea, rather than the family information presented in Gentile's biography, although other readers that are not interested in birding may find that book more readable.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
What a wonderful book about a woman's incredible birding adventure and life. Phoebe had an amazing way of looking forward rather than dwelling on the past.
Published 2 months ago by Melanie McClaren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Few of us have lived so much as this dying woman.
Phoebe Snetsinger was in the next door cabana during my 1991 birding trip to Cuba. Her reputation preceded her - how she chose to go birding when told she had three months to live... Read more
Published 5 months ago by James W. Brooks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Binoculars In Hand
Phoebe Snetsinger was the first person to see 8000 bird species or, in her preferred terms, 84% of known bird species. 'Birding On Borrowed Time' is her birding autobiography. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Dr. DH Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Vicarious Trip with Phoebe Snetsinger
Peggy Groves, a friend of mine, was the roommate of Phoebe in Swarthmore. When she found out about my love of birding, she invited Phoebe down to Albany, GA, and my wife Frances... Read more
Published 23 months ago by W. H. Buntin Jr.
4.0 out of 5 stars
For birder's only
If you are not a birder this book would be very dry and probably meaningless. However if you bird, even casually, you will be enthralled and eager to get your binoculars out to... Read more
Published on December 18, 2010 by Kate T. Carroll
5.0 out of 5 stars
Birding as Birding
Phoebe Snetsinger's autobiography is the story of a woman who was told she was dying and decided to do what she wanted in the little time available. She went birding. Read more
Published on November 4, 2009 by Book Reporter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Birding on Borrowed Time
I yesterday recieved a copy of the book Birding on Borrowed Time written by Phoebe Snetsinger!
I start reading it after recieving it few hours later and finished it hours... Read more
I start reading it after recieving it few hours later and finished it hours... Read more
Published on July 31, 2003 by jjfj jansen
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