Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle - Paperback

by Thor Hanson (Author)

One of America's great nature-writers explores the magic and science of feathers.

"An illuminating study of an evolutionary marvel." ―Economist

Winner of the John Burroughs Medal

Feathers are an evolutionary marvel: aerodynamic, insulating, beguiling. From flying dinosaurs to showgirls on the Las Vegas Strip, their story spans hundreds of millions of years--yet has never been fully told. In Feathers, biologist Thor Hanson details a sweeping natural history of how feathers have been used to soar, attract, and adorn through time. Applying the research of paleontologists, ornithologists, biologists, engineers, and even art historians, he asks: What are feathers? How did they evolve? What do they mean to us?

Enlivened by Hanson's field experiences and wide-ranging research, Feathers is a captivating account of the human fascination with this most enchanting natural wonder.

Author Biography

Thor Hanson is a conservation biologist, Guggenheim Fellow, and author of award-winning books including Buzz, Feathers, The Impenetrable Forest, and The Triumph of Seeds. He lives with his wife and son on an island in Washington State.