Winged Migration [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Jacques Perrin (Author), Jean-Francois Mongibeaux (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

The companion to the Oscar -nominated film, Winged Migration is the definitive visual account of its subject: the extraordinary flights of migrating birds around the world. Migration is an enigma. Who knows why the cuckoo, born in Europe, flies alone to the far forests of Africa, home of its ancestors? Or how the Arctic tern can fly over ten thousand miles on its astonishing journey from pole to pole? Winged Migration follows single birds and whole squadrons on their restless flights seeking answers to such riddles. The result is a tour de force that is testament to the patience of a globe-trotting team of filmmakers and ornithologists. With its informative text, Winged Migration offers both the general reader and the dedicated bird watcher a bird's-eye view of five continents and a grand, yet intimate, portrait of the secret life of birds.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From the makers of the Oscar-nominated documentary film Winged Migration comes this companion volume of photographs and essays on the rituals and travels of birds. Perrin, the documentary's producer, and Mongibeaux, a special correspondent for Figaro magazine, take a broad, poetic approach to their subject, peppering their work with dramatic lines like "as soon as spring comes, the birds obey, each in their own way, the same law that their ancestors have obeyed since the dawn of time." Though the book overflows with "Feathered Facts" and substantial essays by practicing ornithologists, its tone leans more toward celebration than scientific detachment. The result is an unusually passionate survey of entire class of animals, illustrated with stunning film stills and photographs. There are two-page spreads showing Canada geese flying over the deserts of Arizona and close-ups of pink flamingos in Kenya. Fans of the film will appreciate the book's last section, which explains how the filmmakers used ultra-light miniature aircraft and "bird actors" to document the migration routes of several species. A beautiful tribute to the animal kingdom's diversity and adaptability, this volume should appeal to both birders and armchair travelers.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Perrin assembled a team of photographers to accompany birds on their migration, and the result was the acclaimed film Winged Migration. This companion book captures much of the majesty of the film, getting, as Perrin says, "close to their mystery" in hundreds of still photographs. Years of continuous shooting in 40 countries, the assistance of dozens of ornithologists, and scores of birds raised in captivity and trained to fly with ultralight aircraft are all documented in a behind-the-scenes section, which many readers may choose to read first. The meat of the book, however, transcends the more mundane facts of "how they did it" and reaches the plane of "isn't this a miracle?" Photo after photo transports the reader into the world of birds, from nesting to learning to fly and ultimately to migration. The text is both factual and lyrical, enlivened by quotes from the filmmakers and ornithologists, with sidebars of facts and other in-depth information. Although expensive, this beautiful book expresses the wonder of migration far better than any previous work and is highly recommended. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Seuil; illustrated edition edition (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2020612925
• ISBN-13: 978-2020612920
• Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 11.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,274,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winged Migration -- the book, November 30, 2003

By 

Jean d'arc "Am Lit Major" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winged Migration (Hardcover)

My interest for this book was sparked by my having seen the video of the same name. The book, however, goes beyond the video in that it identifies specifically "the players" -gives descriptions of them, their migratory patterns, their habits and habitats, as well as explaining by example the filming of the movie. If you have not seen the video, it will open a whole new world of bird migration to you. The migrations will become, to the reader, so important, majestic, and exciting in and of themselves. The premise, very simply, is that birds migrate to survive. The book will take the reader beyond his own responsibilities of commuting to work every day; it will reaffirm for the naturalists the necessity of living each day within an already pre-established harmony ; it will move any reader to higher levels of tolerance and compassion as, with its reading, one feels with absolute and great starkness how we all fit together on this planet. The book is truly an uplifting masterpiece. And it is magnificently photographed and presented. As long as birds are migrating, this book will be timelessly and repeatedly appreciated for its, as well, as the birds', utter beauty.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winged Migration by Perrin, June 8, 2004

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Winged Migration (Hardcover)

This book is perfect for a school project. It contains full color
pictures of birds in the natural environment. There are pictures
of the Guacharos of the Andes, the Snowy Owl and many other
denominations on every continent including Antartica. The
presentations are larger than life depictions of nature.
Birds are shown in the migratory state; wherein, it is not
unusual to travel beyond 10,000 miles to a final destination.
The volume is well worth the price charged. This would make a great gift for the student in your house. The pictures are
on par with the National Geographic Magazine presentations
of birds in their natural habitat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Winged Migration--book as beautiful as the movie, and more informative, September 21, 2009

By 

Michael J. Lynott "Mike Lynott" (BOISE, ID, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Winged Migration (Hardcover)

I found the movie Winged Migration spectacularly beautiful. As a novice birder, though, I wanted to know "Which bird is that?" "Where is it flying?" "When was the picture photographed?" While the book doesn't answer all these questions, but it helps a great deal. It is a gorgeous production, and my used copy arrived in excellent condition.