Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird [Hardcover]

Andrew D. Blechman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2006

In the tradition of Robert Sullivan’s best-selling Rats comes a whimsical and intimate look into the fascinating world of pigeons and the people they collect. Pigeons have been worshipped as fertility goddesses and used as crucial communicators in war by every major historical superpower from ancient Egypt to the United States, saving thousands of lives. Yet, without just cause, they are reviled today as “rats of the sky.” How did we come to misunderstand one of mankind’s most helpful and steadfast companions? Author Andrew D. Blechman traveled across the United States and Europe to meet with pigeon fanciers and pigeon haters in a quest to chronicle the pigeon’s transformation from beloved friend to feathered outlaw. Pigeons captures a Brooklyn man’s quest to win the Main Event (the pigeon world’s equivalent of the Kentucky Derby), as well as a pigeon shoot where entrants pay $150 to shoot live pigeons. Blechman tracks down Mike Tyson, the nation’s most famous pigeon lover, and he sheds light on a radical “pro-pigeon underground” in New York City. In Pigeons, Blechman tells for the first time the remarkable story behind this seemingly unremarkable bird.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Many people consider the ubiquitous rock dove, better known as the pigeon, a "rat with wings." But as Blechman demonstrates in his enjoyable and informative book, this much maligned bird has served humans well for thousands of years, carrying messages informing the ancient Egyptians about flood levels along the Nile, bearing news of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo and saving thousands of soldiers' lives during the two world wars. Today pigeons are found everywhere, from the queen of England's luxurious racing pigeon lofts to the garbage-strewn streets of every large city. Pigeons—gregarious, easily domesticated and capable of flying for hours at speeds of more than 100 mph—are interesting in their own right, but Blechman writes not so much about the birds themselves as about the people who either love or hate them. These include members of a Newe York City homing pigeon club who dedicate themselves to raising and racing pigeons; Queen Elizabeth's royal pigeon handler; breeders who spend years perfecting champion birds for show; gun enthusiasts who participate in brutal live pigeon shoots. Many of these people are eccentric, and while Blechman's book won't convert pigeon haters to pigeon lovers, it does make for entertaining reading. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—Domesticated, docile pets or dirty, disease-ridden hangers-on? Pigeons are not a neutral subject. They have lived in unison with humans since ancient Egyptian times, a relationship that historically was productive but sadly has deteriorated into a fine mess. Pigeons routinely went to war as messengers; their dung was used as fertilizer for farmers or manufactured into saltpeter, an ingredient in gunpowder. Since the Industrial Revolution, these birds have clustered in urban areas. With an easy food supply and ample shelter, their populations have soared, as has the desire to trap and shoot, poison, and relocate them. Blechman introduces readers to their many advocates and adversaries. His whimsical style and the colorful cast of experts on either side of the debate make this exhaustive study enjoyable reading. Teens don't have to be particularly passionate about pigeons to pick up this book for social-science, scientific, or literary inquiry.—Brigeen Radoicich, Fresno County Office of Education, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press; 1ST edition (October 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802118348
• ISBN-13: 978-0802118349
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Radiant and Illuminating read on...of all things PIGEONS., October 25, 2006

By 

J. Jessup - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird (Hardcover)

Hi Andrew

My name is Jessie and I wanted to take a moment to write to you to thank you for the inspired poetry and lunacy related to your delicious book about pigeons.

I opted to post an open letter via Amazon because I want the whole world to know about your extraordinary book. I have never read anything as weirdly wonderful as this.

Finding your pigeon was a bit of kismet as it sort of snuck up on me in the book store. I was on my way to the check out counter with a biography of the Red Baron, a history of gunpowder and another book about the men who created alternate and direct currents when I saw a pigeon staring at me from the side.

It looked odd next to the other books whose covers were dull by comparison...when I saw the title next to the bird my inner teenager thought "NO way, Jose"....but sure enough it was exactly what the title implied and then some.

I love love LOVE some of the characters you met in your travels and found myself envying the fun you must have had in meeting such an eclectic group of pigeon enthusiasts and pigeon haters.

Though I must also confess that the revolting chapter related to the gutting and lung-ing of squabs elicited a whole series of voluminous UGHS! and BLECHS! The mental picture you provided was gruesome enough to force me to consider going totally vegan.

The man who wrote his doctoral thesis on spider hearing was intriguing, can you write his biography too?

And you also left me wanting to know more about the man who wrapped himself in tinfoil to keep himself warm. Sally Bananas was fascinating and I was riveted by the chapter devoted to Mike Tyson. Despite never meeting him you captured something NO ONE has ever done before... You showed his subtle and poignant humanity and made me wish the whole world could know him THAT way.

So many great stories in one book...This book really is FOR the birds.

Ahhh yes, the pigeons. After reading your absorbing book, I feel bad that for all these years I never really paid pigeons any mind. Much like my socks I took them for granted. You did for pigeons what Neruda did for socks. Showing the value and beauty of something seemingly mundane and yet utterly transformative and magical.
I missed something truly glorious in these astonishing and surprising creatures. You have a convert in Dallas. Praise be to pigeons everywhere. Next time I see one which is practically every hour, I will think of your book with a smile.

Thanks for a great read




Jessie Jessup
KDGE
Dallas Texas 75240

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Gem!, October 26, 2006

By 

Kim Greenfield (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird (Hardcover)

Who would have thought pigeons could be so interesting? Blechman brings the history of this bird and society's sometimes strained but never dull relationship with it to life. His style is fluid, humorous and endlessly engaging, making this a real page-turner. Blechman has found a hidden gem in this topic and his account of the bird does not disappoint. Where Blechman shines is not only in bringing the facts about pigeons to life but in describing the people who have devoted their lives to racing, breeding, cooking, or exterminating them. This book will make you laugh out loud, it will provide you with a history and a context, and it will also make you think. I can't recommend it more strongly!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read for bird lovers and neophytes a like, January 15, 2007

By 

Jennifer Oko "Jennifer Oko" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird (Hardcover)

Pigeons is true to its title. This is one fascinating book. It is both an informative and fun read, and the writer's passion for both prose and pigeons shines through. I highly recommend this book for anyone who cares about birds... and for anyone who just loves a good, rich narrative.