Cuckoo - (Animal) by Cynthia Chris (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An entertaining and wide-ranging romp through the cultural history of a peculiar bird.

The cuckoo is peculiar for inspiring such divergent ideas: a symbol of foolishness to both Aristophanes and Cocoa Puffs, a reliable harbinger of spring and the hours of a cuckoo clock, and the source of innumerable innuendos inspired by a habit of laying eggs in others' nests. In this short, entertaining book, Cynthia Chris explores both the natural and cultural history of the cuckoo as well as the many stories told throughout the centuries about this fascinating bird.

Review Quotes

"This small text contains a wealth of information about the world of cuckoos--birds found on all continents except the Antarctic, with the Common Cuckoo of the Old World a prominent focus--as well as any and all usages of the word. . . . Chris advises the reader that the future of cuckoos seems stable even in the face of climate change; few populations are at risk. Interestingly written and very readable, the science fits nicely within the commentary."-- "Choice"

"Cuckoo is an excellent exploration of an animal that takes up disproportionate space in cultural imagination."-- "lection"

"Taking in a range of stories from clockmaking to international travel and sexual shenanigans, this book contains all you ever wanted to know about cuckoos. Fascinating and accessible."--Chris Gibson, retired conservation specialist for Natural England

"Timely, nutty, inspiring, subversive, maddening, secretive--that's the cuckoo in life and in lore. What would spring be without the cuckoo's call? Achingly silent. I'm grateful to Chris for her evocative study of this fascinating and charismatic bird."--Elizabeth Bradfield, naturalist, author of "Toward Antarctica" and editor of "Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry"

About the Author

Cynthia Chris is professor of media culture at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Her previous books include Crab, also published in Reaktion Books' Animal series.