Swans of the World: In Nature, History, Myth and Art [Hardcover]

A. Lindsay Price (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

From the first pip of a cygnet to the "swan-song" of old age, "Swans of the World" covers the development and behavior of the world's majestic swans. Woven skillfully into the text is the fascinating cultural lore of the swan worldwide, showing how - in poetry, myth, and art - this ancient, rare, and most aristocratic waterfowl has never ceased to excite the human mind. Handsomely illustrated with over 100 drawings, photographs, charts, and swan distribution maps, this work is engaging enough to entice both the beginning bird enthusiast and seasoned naturalist - to say nothing of the lover of poetry and art that celebrates the wonders of the natural world. This beautiful work has been justifiably praised by the Trumpeter Swan Society for its "depth and grace."

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The beauty of swans has captured the imagination of people for countless generations. Artist-writer Price incorporates her considerable experience with swans as an amateur naturalist into this engaging narrative, which surveys the world's swan species. More than a natural history and abundantly illustrated with over 110 drawings, photos, and maps, her book also recounts swans in folklore, history, and culture, from the ballet Swan Lake to the use of swans in Scottish clan badges and in the Great Seal of the Chickasaw Nation. The richness of detail is indicated by sections on myth, legend, mating, nesting, hatching, feathers, flight, migration, wintering, life span, and the effects of humans on swans. Price's anecdotes add spice to an already interesting mixture of facts, lore, and biology. The absence of an index and an antihunting bias are mild blemishes. This book has wide appeal and is warmly recommended. [The publisher says an index will be included in the book's second printing.-Ed.]-Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Thomas Jefferson Univ. Lib, Philadelphi.
--Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Thomas Jefferson Univ. Lib, Philadelphia
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Price traces the natural history of all the swan species, following migration routes and presenting a personal touch in gathering facts which imparts her own fascination with the myths and realities of the swan. What evolves is a remarkable survey of not just the life cycle of the swan, but its influence on literature and human lives. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Council Oak Books (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933031815
• ISBN-13: 978-0933031814
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,012,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreamy about Swans, March 27, 2008

By 

Christine Heinrichs (Cambria, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swans of the World: In Nature, History, Myth and Art (Hardcover)

This book catalogs the basic biology of swans and spreads its wings to encircle the mythological, literary, historical and mystical meanings swans have had for humans through the ages. Information from it will find its way into the pages of my next book, How to Raise Poultry, following How To Raise Chickens: Everything You Need To Know (How to Raise...), next year. A beautiful reference, the kind of book you can hold and page through for hours.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good guide to behaviours, mythology and history, July 1, 2008

By 

Steven Morvell "Steve Morvell Wildlife Artist" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Swans of the World: In Nature, History, Myth and Art (Hardcover)

If you want to learn about history and mythology of the world's swans then this is the book for you. It is interestingly written and informative. A good read. But if you want to see the brids too and enjoy their gorgeous form variations you will be sadly disappointed. There are no photos and only fairly poor line drawings to give an idea of the appearance of these beautiful creatures. If a picture is worth a thousand words then this book could save many thousands of words by simply adding a few well chosen photos.