Feathers

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. 

• “A winning book about the extraordinary place of feathers in animal and human history.”
  Wall Street Journal
• “A fine book…. Mr. Hanson’s pleasure in feathers is infectious…. Feathers is gracious, funny, persuasive and wide ranging. ”
  New York Times
• “An illuminating study of an evolutionary marvel.”
  Economist
• “Delightful…. [A] fascinating inquiry into one of those common things that are easy to overlook until someone shows what a miracle it is…. Hanson’s book reveals much about that marvelous magic.”
  Seattle Times
• “[A] sparkling history…. popular natural history at its best.”
  New Scientist
• “Feathers is an impressive blend of beauty, form, and function.”
  Natural History
• “Thor Hanson's storytelling is enhanced by his infectious excitement.... Feathers is a compelling introduction to one of nature's wonders.”
  Nature
• “A readable introduction to feathers and what they mean for birds and mankind.”
  Science
• “[Hanson] gives unexpected substance to his nearly weightless subject.”
  Discover
• “Captivating.... Beginning with the evolution of birds, Hanson...unfolds the human fascination with feathers in terms of science, commerce, tools, folklore, art, and aerodynamics with panache.”
  Audubon
• “There are many feathery gems to be discovered in this book.... Feathers is a book designed to be read, not skimmed, with every page revealing new layers of understanding.”
  Examiner
• “To read Feathers is to meet up with an enthusiastic old friend who simply cannot wait to tell you about something he just discovered...a must‑read by bird watchers and naturalists of all levels of interest or experience.”
  Bird Watcher's Digest
• “Enjoyable, wide-ranging, and well-researched…. Highly recommended for birders and science buffs.”
  Library Journal
• “A fascinating and eminently readable exploration.”
  Booklist
• “Hanson’s prose is polished, lively, and evocative. The outcome is a book that is easy and entertaining to read, yet one that is able to satisfy our intellectual curiosity.”
  BioScience
• “If you feel a sudden need to read about dinosaurs, flyfishing, muttonbirds, and showgirls, this is your book! Absolutely fascinating history, and a terrific read, Feathers is another Thor Hanson classic!”
  Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
• “A fascinating book about the most remarkable—and beautiful—of all avian evolutionary adaptations, with wonderful accounts of ornithological investigations and the solving of biological quandaries and questions, all of it unusually well-written. Highly recommended.”
  Peter Matthiessen, National Book Award-winning author of The Snow Leopard
• “This is rich and engaging ornithology at its best.”
  Frank B. Gill, author of Ornithology
• “Feathers is simply a splendid book! Even for one biased toward butterfly scales, their closest competitors in the animal raiment line, feathers in all their glory can only be seen as astonishing. With elegance and wit, Thor Hanson captures not only their awesome esthetics, but also the astonishing evolution, historical and cultural impact, and sheer wonder of avian plumage. Rendered in exquisite detail with delicate touch, like a feather-painting of old, this is the best kind of natural history—quilled by a real field biologist who is also a fine writer.”
  Robert Michael Pyle, author of Chasing Monarchs
• “Feathers are truly remarkable. In this book Hanson shows how they are the key to many of the most fascinating and diverse aspects of bird biology, how they have affected our understanding of evolution, and how they have and are enriching our everyday lives. This is science written in clear and entertaining prose; a great read.”
  Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven