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Raves for Rare Bird:
"The story of the discovery of the nest is alone worth the price of the book."— Booklist
"Fine nature writing, good science, and compelling historical anecdotes spanning the time of Captain Cook to contemporary naturalists, loggers, and fishermen combine in an engaging narrative. Strongly recommended." — Library Journal
"Ruth's details of the hunt for bits of information about the bird from dissecting specimens to counting birdcalls in the predawn light provide rare insight into the trials and joys of scientific discovery." —Publishers Weekly
“Heartfelt and thoughtful, inspired and well-written...It will transport you into a world you didn’t realize existed." — Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean and Eye of the Albatross
"Maria Mudd Ruth's engaging, scientific detective story bristles with humor, curiosity, frustration and passion as the accidental naturalist tracks the history of this elusive seabird...a fascinating avian odyssey, recounted with ferocity and grace." — The Los Angeles Times
“…the book is well-researched and clearly structured. Ruth did her homework, logging many interviews and traveling to see birds, specimens, people, and places. The result is a fascinating and inspiring detective story." — Birder’s World
"...this is one of those tales where the science of natural history and a sense of wonder at the world around us come together; ultimately, like the author, we are seduced by a seemingly ordinary creature that manages the most extraordinary feats..." —American Birding Association
“Beautifully and deftly written. Truly captures the mystery and excitement of the murrelet's story." — Joan Dunning, author of Seabird in the Forest (a children’s book on the murrelet!)
“The author's commitment to the marbled murrelet is well illustrated in this highly personal narrative.” — Science News
"It is not often that you find a natural history book you can't put down." — Jennifer Ackerman, author of Notes from the Shore and Achoo! and Sex Sleep Eat Drink Drink: A Day in the Life of Your Body
"Rare Bird is a unique and delightful book: too passionate for ordinary journalism, too well-researched fro a personal essay, and far too witty or natural history." — Peter Cashwell, author of The Verb To Bird
"…an important addition to birding and environmental literature."— Santa Cruz Sentinel
“I found the chapters on early history fascinating, and I commend Ruth for her background reading and archival digging to uncover obscure early material, and for her presentation of it in a fresh, clean manner.” —Marine Ornithology
“In Rare Bird [Ruth] tells us not only about this intriguing seabird, but also about the dedicated people drawn into its world. The murrelet becomes a symbol of wildlife endangered by people who do not yet realize their own lethal power in a world they barely understand…for readers who adore birds or find fascination in nature's subtle charms, Rare Bird is a gem. All in all, it is a neat little book about a neat little bird and a tale well told.” — Kenai Peninsula Clarion, Alaska
“Rare Bird is a rare book – not because it is hard to obtain, but because it tells its story so well…The Marbled Murrelet is a rare bird in that, once you get to know it a little, it can change your life.” —Santa Cruz Bird Club
“…Ruth does an outstanding job of telling the tale of the discoveries of the Marbled Murrelet's nesting ecology and highlighting some of the important players. There is much of local interest pertaining to the Santa Cruz Mountains and a focus on local longtime murrelet researcher Steve Singer. Whether you know a lot or a little about this fascinating bird, I know you'll enjoy the book.” —Monterey Bay Birds
“…it’s an eminently readable book for birders….a good mystery….and a focused case study of this one single species and its endangered existence. Other species are more endangered, all are fighting their own particular battles, but understanding this one bird and its challenges drives the broader lesson home for the readers.” —Forsyth County [North Carolina] Audubon Society