Book description
Renowned naturalist Kenn Kaufman examines the scientific discoveries of John James Audubon and his artistic and ornithologist peers to show how what they saw (and what they missed) reflects how we perceive and understand the natural world. Raging ambition. Towering egos. Competition under a veneer of courtesy. Heroic effort combined with plagiarism, theft, exaggeration, and fraud. This was the state of bird study in eastern North America during the early 1800s, as a handful of intrepid men raced to find the last few birds that were still unknown to science. The most famous name in the bird world was John James Audubon, who painted spectacular portraits of birds. But although his images were beautiful, creating great art was not his main goal. Instead, he aimed to illustrate (and write about) as many different species as possible, obsessed with trying to outdo his rival, Alexander Wilson. George Ord, a fan and protégé of Wilson, held a bitter grudge against Audubon for years, claiming he had faked much of his information and his scientific claims. A few of Audubon's birds were pure fiction, and some of his writing was invented or plagiarized. Other naturalists of the era, including Charles Bonaparte (nephew of Napoleon), John Townsend, and Thomas Nuttall, also became entangled in the scientific derby, as they stumbled toward an understanding of the natural world--an endeavor that continues to this day. Despite this intense competition, a few species--including some surprisingly common songbirds, hawks, sandpipers, and more--managed to evade discovery for years. Here, renowned bird expert and artist Kenn Kaufman explores this period in history from a new angle, by considering the birds these people discovered and, especially, the ones they missed. Kaufman has created portraits of the birds that Audubon never saw, attempting to paint them in that artist's own stunning style, as a way of examining the history of natural sciences and nature art. He shows how our understanding of birds continues to gain clarity, even as some mysteries persist from Audubon's time until ours.
About the Author
An avid naturalist since the age of six, Kenn Kaufman burst onto the national birding scene as a teenager in the 1970s, hitchhiking all over North America in pursuit of all the bird species he could find--an adventure chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a professional tour leader, taking birding groups to all seven continents, he transitioned to a career as a writer, illustrator, and editor. He is among the youngest persons ever to receive the highest honor of the American Birding Association--and the only person to receive it twice. He has authored or coauthored thirteen books about birds and nature, including his own series of Kaufman Field Guides. Since the 1980s, he has been an editor and consultant on birds for the National Audubon Society, and he's been a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society since 2013. Kenn lives in Oak Harbor, Ohio, with his wife, Kimberly Kaufman, who is also a dedicated naturalist and the director of a local bird observatory.
Gas Man
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Thrasher
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives.
Spicy Thunder
Who needs traditional books when you have this app? It's a game-changer. 💼 Merging work and pleasure – audiobooks keep me company during house admin tasks! 💻🎧 Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. 📖📱 ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Snapple Whistler
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Bruh
📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Eerie
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. No need for file conversion is a game-changer. Love using ListenBook on my iPhone.
InfinityInsight
I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Alley Cat
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. With this app, reading is no longer a task – it's a delightful habit. 👩🍳 Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories – this app adds flavor to my meals! 🍳🎧 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience.
Racy Babe
The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Romance Guppy
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. 🚶♀️📖 Discovering new worlds on my daily walks – this app is my travel companion! 🌍🎧
Feral Cookie
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! 🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I consume audiobooks. I can cover more ground while maintaining comprehension. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Sloth
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. 📚🎧 My audiobook collection has never been more organized. Library management is a breeze.
Corny
I'm thrilled to finally have a way to enjoy books while keeping up with my busy schedule. What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
Thumb Candy
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits.
Yellow Menace
Listening to audiobooks has become my ultimate way to unwind after a long day. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Talk about convenience! This app's ease of use and support for multiple audio formats ensure that I can enjoy my favorite stories without any hassle. 📱🔊 ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly.
PixelPioneer
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Nacho
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Flint Cast-Iron
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive. Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
Dark Burn
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Pepper Mouse
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience