Mac the Macaw: The Bird Who Went to College [Paperback]

Gerard Wolfe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2006

A true account of the antics and incredibly intelliget behavior of this largest member of the parrot family, which took place in college professor Wolfe's office at New York University. Mac's hilarious and surprising tricks and 150+ word vocabulary made him the "clown of the campus" and a prime attraction for students and faculty alike, and later brought him nationwide fame.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An engaging and inspiring true story that will bring laughter and joy to readers of all ages.

About the Author

Gerard R. Wolfe, PhD, is the author of a number of books and articles in a variety of fields. A former professor of romance lanuages and senior administrator at New York University, he later served as Director of Arts & Liberal Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Two of his more recent books are best-selling architecture guides: the award-winning "Chicago: In and Around the Loop," and "New York: A Guide to the Metropolis."

A lover of nature, one of Gerard's ambitions however, was to write a book for young readers about some of his favorite animals. His experiences at NYU with "Mac", and the many library and classroom storytelling hours he spent recounting the huge bird's humorous and unpredictable antics to enthusiastic young audiences, ultimately led to this book. He now resides in Flagstaff, Arizona, where in addition to his writing, he serves as a docent at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Neil David, Sr., the illustrator, is a highly acclaimed arrtist and member of the Hopi Tribe of northern Arizona. Widely recognized aas a distinguished painter, lithographer, and prize-winning kachina doll carver--he is particularly noted for his unique "clown kachinas". Neil was the recipient of many Blue Ribbons at art shows and Indian Markets across the country, and was a founding member of the noted Artist Hopid group of artist-craftsmen. Neil is also the artist-coauthor of the seminal "Kachinas: Spirit Beings of the Hopi."

Neil lives and works in the Hopi-Tewa community of Polacca, on First Mesa, where he is an active participant in the traditional religious ceremonies and social activities of the Tribe.

Coincidentally--and appropriate to his work with "Mac the Macaw"--Neil is a member of the Parrot Clan of the Hopi Tribe.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 62 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (June 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419637088
• ISBN-13: 978-1419637087
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars "Mac" the Macaw, April 9, 2009

By 

Harriet K Simons (Cave Creek, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mac the Macaw: The Bird Who Went to College (Paperback)

I throughly enjoyed the book and illustrations (this is the first time I've seen illustrations by Hopi artist Neil David Sr. that did not portray some aspect of Hopi life). However I was surprised and disappointed that this book (which is mainly for children) hadn't been more carefully edited for grammatical errors. The opening of the book also left me wondering about the legality and ethics of the trade in exotic birds.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bird that went to college", January 16, 2007

By 

Gerard R. Wolfe (Flagstaff, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mac the Macaw: The Bird Who Went to College (Paperback)

For a true story, this is one of the funniest and clever accounts of the activities of a pet bird. The macaw is the largest and most intelligent of the parrot family, and Mac more than lives up to its reputation. Wolfe's lively narrative style will appeal to both children and adults, as he recounts the unexpected and humorous adventures of his pet who lived in his college office. The colorful illustrations are equally engaging, as done by Hopi Indian artist Neil David, Sr. as they bring to life the many stories of the "bird that went to college." (Review by Caecilia M. Winnubst, PhD, LCSW, ACSW)