The Dodo: Extinction in Paradise

Book Description

The Dodo explores the science and mythology, the history, archaeology, and legend, as well as the dodo's place in art and literature.

Customer Reviews:

Decent Reference to Everything Dodo..........2006-03-01

As past reviewers have mentioned, this book is visually stunning. A very good entry level book to give a historical background on records, sketches, semi-factiods, and assumptions. Fuller makes it very clear (time and time again) that everything we think we know about the dodo is based on written records or sketches. Fuller also points out that we don't have complete facts on the legitimacy of any of the accounts. For example, some written accounts were taken from a boat that traveled by the island...the accountee not even stepping foot on the island. Furthermore, the recognizable paintings may or may not have been created from a live specimen, but a taxidermied version which may have been overstuffed. The book is a quick read, allowing the reader to form their own view and create their own image of what they belive the dodo once was. I recommend merely as a collection of visual reference and general historical accounts.

A Beautiful History of Extinction's Emblem.......2003-05-17

"As dead as a dodo." Everyone knows the phrase (and it is far clearer than the obscure doornail variant). The dodo is universally acknowledged as a symbol of extinction, not just a dead bird, not just a dead species, but an emblem of wipeout. Although everyone knows the dodo, we know almost nothing about it. It was discovered and wiped out long before the days of scientific observation. Errol Fuller has told us just about everything there is to know about the bird in _Dodo: A Brief History_ (HarperCollins). It is not as big or lush a volume as the one he produced on another goner, the great auk, but it is beautiful and fascinating.

The facts about the birds are slim. They came from the small island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. They were actually large pigeons. They weighed more than fifty pounds, according to an observer from 1634. They had ridiculously small wings that were a parody of flight. We don't know what they ate, what they sounded like, or how they mated. "But of one thing we can be sure," he writes, "There are now no dodos." Europeans arrived on Mauritius when the Dutch navy landed in 1598 (there had been transient visits by Portuguese and Arabs before then), and only fifty or so years later, there were no dodos. The dodo had no predators before encountering humans, so it had slipped into a flightless existence, and also did not flee when approached. They were easy prey. After the bird's extinction, no one much cared about it. In 1755, there was exactly one stuffed dodo. It was within the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. It was in such a decrepit state that it was consigned to the flames. The head and right foot alone were saved, and "these pitiful fragments" still exist and have been used for DNA samples. Of course they are depicted here.

After more than a century of oblivion, Fuller explains that one simple event caused "... the general public to take notice of the dodo, and the bird itself to enter the ranks of universal celebrity." In 1865, Lewis Carroll published _Alice's Adventures in Wonderland_, with an episode of the "caucus race" which the dodo decides "Everybody has won, and all must have prizes." Prizes, he also decides, have to come from Alice herself. Sir John Tenniel illustrated the episode, with his image based on first-hand depictions. Fuller explains that the dodo, like the book, "... was suddenly in vogue and - again just like the book - it has never since been out of it." Dodo poems followed, and "Dodo" as a nickname for girls, dodos on teapots, tea towels, stamps, coffee mugs, advertisements, table service, and more. We will never forget the dodo. Fuller's handsome, beautifully illustrated volume of all this dodo lore helps in the cause of dodo remembrance. It is throughout good-humored, and in accord with its subject, it is peculiar, funny, and sad.

A vapid performance.......2003-03-12

Visually this book is stunning. Informative it is. But if you found a book about dinosaurs that said "we know almost nothing about them, except that there are no dinosaurs today" would you be interested? This is how Fuller starts his commentary on the dodo - "We know almost nothing...." dodos equal famous dinosaurs. The moral of the whole book is, "here are the facts but we don't really know and we can't either so there". In its attempt to be critical and parsimonious, it trips over itself in a mess of contradictions (was the Dodo grey or brown? - "it seems to have been greyish though Saftleven clearly shows the head was brown")and a script that reads like watery thin soup.

The fact of the matter is, there is a lot of background interest in the Dodo and this book does not dare to speculate on various assumptions and models that have been made of the Dodo. For example that it may have shed the tip of its bill, that it produced chicks every 2 years or on any differences between males and females of a specific nature. The paintings of the Dodo are not discussed critically in terms of authorship and attribution or history. We don't get to hear about where a few dodos were sent alive and how they contributed to paintings. The map of Mauritius does not clearly mark the spot where lots of dodo skeletons turned up and the general distribution of dodos. Fuller leaves us guessing if dodos lived on the interior of the island or coasts and whether it was a forest or shore type bird.

In the end, the book is more like a log of evidence and we are left to pick out our own picture for ourselves. The author has very little conscious, critical or thought provoking to say. There is too much on dodo paraphanelia/souvnirs as well.

It is in fact more disappointing than his other books on extinct birds like the Great Auk. A lot more could have been said and done. This book remains a vital reference on the Dodo with holes, unapologetic omissions and scientific coyness.

Its price is good and it remains a reference - on the dodo, the Solitare and the mysterious "White dodo" though there isn't much of a story here.

Average customer rating:

A metaphor for East/West Berlin?

What a great book!

A great read-aloud book

I am SO STUPID

The Book Deserves Place in Children's Classic Literature

Lisa and Lottie (An Avon Camelot Book)
Erich Kastner
Manufacturer: Avon Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Divorce | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Emil and the Detectives (Red Fox Classics)

Emil and the Detectives (Penguin Readers, Level 3)

Emil and the Three Twins

Das doppelte Lottchen. (Lernmaterialien)

The Children of Noisy Village

ASIN: 038057117X

Customer Reviews:

A metaphor for East/West Berlin?.......2007-07-17

I bought a copy of Lisa and Lottie at a garage sale, so I first read it as an adult. Since it was written by a German in 1949, I thought it was a very lovely and clever metaphor for the Post World II division of Berlin. I later learned that Kastner had been blacklisted by the Third Reich and that his books had been burned. Am I that far off in my analysis? I'd be interested to learn what others think.

What a great book!.......2004-03-09

I read this book many, many years ago as I am 32 years old now, and havent forgot about! I have a daughter who is 10 years old, and cant wait to share it with her. This book has stuck with me for years!!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone!!! Such a great story!

A great read-aloud book.......2003-03-29

I first discovered this book whilst searching for novels to serial-read to my class (I am a primary school teacher.) Having seen the original 'Parent Trap' and read 'Emil' as a boy, I felt Lottie and Lisa would be good to try. With one exception (a class containing mostly angry, macho boys), all my classes have enjoyed it, even loved it. Most children have seen the Parent Trap (sadly, most never saw the Hayley Mills version), and they are intrigued by the comparison in plots and characterisation. The reference to Shirley Temple and the double standards of American censorship at the time leave them puzzled, as does the excitement at the prospect that, when the busload of new girls arrives at the holiday home, 'one of them might have a ball (to play with'). Explaining to them that this book was written shortly after WW2 when toys were in short supply in Germany, helps them understand.

WARNING: Any teacher reading this to a class of 8-12 year olds, be ready - Chapter 9 is an emotional minefield: I've noticed my voice getting shaky towards the end of it. Just letting you know.

I am SO STUPID.......2002-04-12

I read this book as a ten-year old and it stuck with me for what has been the next seventeen years. Warm, wonderful, very charming. The ORIGINAL, BEST and should have been the ONLY version of the Parent Trap. I wish I had known that this book would be largely forgotten, I would have held on to my copy to share with my own kids.

The Book Deserves Place in Children's Classic Literature.......1999-09-02

I've read this book in Elementary School. I used to have a copy of it. It somehow got misplaced. Since of the moving I have done. I've also tried looking at libraries to find it. I haven't found it at a library. I believe this book belongs on the Children's Classice Literature. It really deserves that recognition. Disney made three sequel to the orginal one. Also the remake. Since, the Original Film is a classic so should the book!

Un puerto de abrigo / Inner Harbor (The Chesapeake Bay) (The Chesapeake Bay)

Average customer rating:

Un puerto de abrigo / Inner Harbor (The Chesapeake Bay) (The Chesapeake Bay)
Nora Roberts , and Juan Larrea
Manufacturer: Punto de Lectura, Suma de letras
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 8466314954

Corazón de mar (Heart of the Sea) (Punto De Lectura, 281)

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Corazón de mar (Heart of the Sea) (Punto De Lectura, 281)
Nora Roberts , and Juan Larrea
Manufacturer: Punto de Lectura
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 8466307257

Book Description

In this final installment of her acclaimed Irish trilogy, New York Times #1 Best Selling author, Nora Roberts returns with this captivating story and brings it to a stunning conclusion. Darcy Gallagher has always believed in fate, the magic of legends and the importance of money. That is until Trevor, comes into her life, their mutual attraction flares into passion, they look into their hearts and find out what happens when you truly believe.

Description in Spanish: La llegada de Artmor de Trevor, un atractivo y orgulloso hombre de negocios, altera la vida del pequeño pueblo irlandés y aviva las ansias de amor de la joven y ambiciosa Darcy, la menor de los hermanos Gallagher.

Entre ambos surge un apasionado idilio en el que la atracción física se impone a sus fuertes personalidades. Pero la magia, personificada en Carrick, el principe de las hadas, y en el fantasma de su enamorada, terminará por convertir la pasión en amor.

Book Description

A second installment in the trilogy. In order to break a centuries-old spell that keeps him from his true love, Carrick, Prince of Faeries, must help pub-owners Aidan, Darcy and Shawn Gallagher fall in love. The problem is that Shawn is perfectly happy as a single man.

Description in Spanish:

El segundo título de la trilogía irlandesa.

Book Description

Third installment of the THREE SISTERS ISLAND TRILOGY Mia Devlin knows too well what it means to love with all her heart and see the love of her life leave. Many years back, she was tied to Sam Logan by a triangle of passion, legend and destiny. But one day he fled from the Three Sisters Island leaving her sunken in memories and resignation. One decade later, Sam returns with the intention of recovering his old love. But this is not the only challenge from the past. Mia will have to confront the greatest challenge of her life: she and Sam must join forces to win over darkness forever.

Description in Spanish: Mia Devlin sabe demasiado bien lo que significa querer con toda el alma y ver marcharse al amor de su vida. Años atrás ella y Sam Logan estuvieron unidos por un lazo trenzado de pasión, leyenda y destino. Pero un día él huyó de Tres Hermanas dejándola sumida en el recuerdo y la renuncia. Una década después Sam regresa a la isla con el firme propósito de recuperara a su antiguo amor. Pero no es el único reto que sobreviene desde el pasado. Mia tendrá que afrontar el mayor desafío de su vida.

Average customer rating:

For people who want to READ

Good Charlotte

Good Charlotte Rox!

Good Charlotte

Uhh....yeah

Good Charlotte
Carol B. York
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fiction | Girls & Women | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 059032554X

Customer Reviews:

For people who want to READ.......2005-05-08

This book is a sweet little story of an orphan girl, who is the odd, scruffy little girl of the orphanage. Though loved dearly by the teachers/caretakers, she is never up to their expectations. When a trip takes them out of town, a "substitute" teacher helps her see that she is lovely as she is. Delightful!

Good Charlotte.......2003-11-15

Hey, This book is awsome!! GC ROXS!! OK so the book is kinda corny?? So what?? Good Charlotte Still rocks!! I went 2 c them live and they are defintly better than this book. The book makes no sense?? GC didnt even like the book they just thought that the title was catchy!! lol. C YA AROUND TOWN!!

~*KaTiE*~

Good Charlotte Rox!.......2003-11-10

Okay well I love gc so I really loved this book and I think that any1 that loves gc will love this book. It rulz snd so does gc.I also really like Joel but that is not why I like gc. So read this book...OR ELSE!!!!!!! THank you

Good Charlotte.......2003-11-09

ok ppl...the band got this name because joel saw this book at his friends house...his friends mom was a teacher. so he thought it would be a cool name for the band and everyone agreed. than after they became famous, they read the book...they didnt read it b4 they were famous...they just saw it...

Uhh....yeah.......2003-11-02

Yeah. We're here to reviwe the BOOK not the band. So let's get on with the book reviewing and anyone who wants to comment about the band can go review one of their things. I haven't read the book, I just wanted to say that.

Juba This and Juba That: Story Hour Stretches for Large or Small Groups

Average customer rating:

Juba This and Juba That: Story Hour Stretches for Large or Small Groups
Virginia A. Tashjian
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0316832308

The Christmas Dolls (The Girls of the Good Day Orphanage)

Average customer rating:

one of my favorite books when I was a kid
Dolls Talk to this Girl!

The Christmas Dolls (The Girls of the Good Day Orphanage)
Carol Beach York
Manufacturer: Little Apple
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

one of my favorite books when I was a kid.......2005-09-13

This book was given to me by my grandma when I was around 9 or 10. I adored it. It truly captures the magic of Christmas that children understand better than adults. The pictures are beautiful. I haven't read it in many years, so I can't provide much more detail, but I plan on finding my old copy and rereading it this Christmas. My best friend also had this book and absolutely adored it. Good for 6-10 year olds.

Dolls Talk to this Girl!.......2003-01-28

What a delightful premise that dolls can "speak" to selected listeners (kids only, of course) even while adults are present. This results in natural dialogue confusion, since the grown ups remain clueless to these private conversations. This is a simple little tale of bonding between a little girl in an orphanage and two "rejected" charity dolls. Child and dolls work together to avert disaster on Christmas Eve: by providing each other the best presents--unconditional love and each other! This cute, short fantasy will appeal to elementary girls. York has captured the spirit of a kinder, gentler age in this charmer.

Average customer rating:

Abracatabby (Break-of-Day Book)
Catherine Hiller , and Victoria De Larrea
Manufacturer: Putnam Pub Group (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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