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A review by kcraig73
Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird by Andrew D. Blechman
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
An informative read about the past and present of pigeon fanciers. I learned a lot about pigeons and the people who love them. A decent “birds’ eye view” of the topic.
However, there were a few notable and glaring issues with this book. The first and most notable is the author’s uncharitable treatment of the human subjects in this book. If Blechman’s goal was really to “treat [them] fairly and with the dignity that, like the rock dove, [they] all deserve” then he has failed miserably. I find myself feeling bad for these people who trusted Blechman and let him observe the most insulated parts of their lives, who trusted him enough to speak with enthusiasm about their niche hobbies freely, only to be mocked and maligned in the pages of his book. I can’t imagine how devastating that would be. I’m not sure I can respect an author who insists on taking cheap shots at his subjects for entertainment.
Lastly, there are moments in the book where the author has seemingly no idea what he is doing or what he is talking about. For example, as noted on page 215 he apparently arrives to tour the pigeon meat factory in sandals. Why on earth would you wear sandals to a pigeon meat factory? More to the point, why on earth would you wear sandals to an interview? Additionally, there was at least one mistake so glaring that it makes you question the whole of fact-checking on this book. Page 132-133 “Pigeons don’t carry the virus [West Nile Virus], either, because their body temperature is too high to host the bacteria.” I’m sorry? Bacteria? What are you talking about? Obviously, West Nile Virus is caused by a virus, not a bacteria. This is a mistake which should’ve easily been caught by the author, editors, or any early readers. How did this manage to get in the final printing?
While I love pigeons and found this book to be easily readable I don’t think I’ll be returning to it. Certainly not any time soon.
However, there were a few notable and glaring issues with this book. The first and most notable is the author’s uncharitable treatment of the human subjects in this book. If Blechman’s goal was really to “treat [them] fairly and with the dignity that, like the rock dove, [they] all deserve” then he has failed miserably. I find myself feeling bad for these people who trusted Blechman and let him observe the most insulated parts of their lives, who trusted him enough to speak with enthusiasm about their niche hobbies freely, only to be mocked and maligned in the pages of his book. I can’t imagine how devastating that would be. I’m not sure I can respect an author who insists on taking cheap shots at his subjects for entertainment.
Lastly, there are moments in the book where the author has seemingly no idea what he is doing or what he is talking about. For example, as noted on page 215 he apparently arrives to tour the pigeon meat factory in sandals. Why on earth would you wear sandals to a pigeon meat factory? More to the point, why on earth would you wear sandals to an interview? Additionally, there was at least one mistake so glaring that it makes you question the whole of fact-checking on this book. Page 132-133 “Pigeons don’t carry the virus [West Nile Virus], either, because their body temperature is too high to host the bacteria.” I’m sorry? Bacteria? What are you talking about? Obviously, West Nile Virus is caused by a virus, not a bacteria. This is a mistake which should’ve easily been caught by the author, editors, or any early readers. How did this manage to get in the final printing?
While I love pigeons and found this book to be easily readable I don’t think I’ll be returning to it. Certainly not any time soon.