Book Review: A Short Philosophy of Birds

The greatest wisdom comes from the smallest creatures There is so much we can learn from birds. Through twenty-two little lessons of wisdom inspired by how birds live, this charming French book will help you spread your wings and soar. We often need the help from those smaller than us. Having spent a lifetime watching birds, Philippe and Élise – a French ornithologist and a philosopher – draw out the secret lessons that birds can teach us about how to live, and the wisdom of the natural world. Along the way you’ll discover why the robin is braver than the eagle, what the arctic tern can teach us about the joy of travel, and whether the head or the heart is the best route to love (as shown by the mallard and the penguin). By the end you will feel more in touch with the rhythms of nature and have a fresh perspective on how to live the fullest life you can.

A friend recommended that I read this. For her sake, I'll be gentle in this review.

This book is stupid and I feel stupider for having read it.

You know those pop philosophy books like "Everything I know I learned from Buffy The Vampire Slayer" of "The Tao of Pooh Bear"? This book is like that, but about birds.

We learn that some birds like to take time to bathe. Perhaps we should take time to bathe? Seriously - that's the level of philosophy we're dealing with here.

Some birds mate for life. Some are polygamous. Some are good parents. Some aren't good parents. What can we learn from this? Nothing, apparently.

I'm giving the book half a star for being all spelled correctly and for being mercifully short.