John James Audubon: The Making of An American by Richard Rhodes

Summary (Amazon):
John James Audubon came to America as a dapper eighteen-year-old eager to make his fortune. He had a talent for drawing and an interest in birds, and he would spend the next thirty-five years traveling to the remotest regions of his new country–often alone and on foot–to render his avian subjects on paper. The works of art he created gave the world its idea of America. They gave America its idea of itself. 

Here Richard Rhodes vividly depicts Audubon’s life and career: his epic wanderings; his quest to portray birds in a lifelike way; his long, anguished separations from his adored wife; his ambivalent witness to the vanishing of the wilderness. John James Audubon: The Making of an American is a magnificent achievement.

Reviews:
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/books/review/john-james-audubon-the-birdman-of-america.html

The Economist: Birds on a Wire: https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2004/08/05/birds-on-a-wire

(wikipedia)

Penguin Book's Site for book:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/141605/john-james-audubon-by-richard-rhodes/9780375713934/

Videos and Films:
John James Audubon: The Birds of America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQijoWmzvTo

PBS: The Masters: Drawn from Nature: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/john-james-audubon-drawn-from-nature/106/

Audubon: The Film: http://www.audubonthefilm.com/

(Audubon.org)

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove - new center open and with an Exhibit of his work: http://johnjames.audubon.org/; https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america?site=johnjames&nid=4131

National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/

Local Chapter: Bucks County Audubon Society at Honey Hollow Environmental Center: https://www.bcas.org/

Interesting Articles:
So big it needs its own furniture: http://mentalfloss.com/article/520325/audubons-birds-america-book-so-big-it-needed-its-own-furniture

Going for $10 million: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/06/most-expensive-book-birds-of-america-10m

Our Namesake and Inspiration: https://www.audubon.org/content/john-james-audubon

ROAD TRIPS: 
New York Historical Society: https://www.nyhistory.org/explore/john-james-audubon

On Display in Chicago at the Field Museum from now until Dec. 1, 2019:
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/24/rare-audubon-book-showing-north-americas-birds-now-on-display-at-field-museum/

E-notes: https://www.enotes.com/topics/john-james-audubon-richard-rhodes

Discussion Questions: (Heidi will be leading)

1. Discuss and describe who Audubon was, his complicated background, talents, appearance, family life, bird collecting, extensive travels, successes and failures. See pp: 4, 11, 18, 21-, 95, 114-, 124-, 230, 233, 253, 298, 329, 341, 418-, 432

2. The early 1800s were a fascinating and challenging time period with the expansion into the west, the development of the steam engine, Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, July Revolution of 1830, Industrial Revolution, passage over the Atlantic, disease, etc. Discuss how these impacted Audubon and affected his life. See pp: 21, 121, 132, 136, 338, 343-

3. The Panic of 1819 was the first major economic crisis and depression in America and had a profound affect on Audubon’s life. Discuss these impacts including the loss of his business, his marriage and family life, relationships, his mental health and work. How does the 2nd crisis affect him in 1837? See pp: 138- , 249, 400.

4. In 1816 was the year without a summer and communities turned to nature to survive. Discuss the story about the Passenger pigeons, which are now extinct, but were plentiful during this period.  See pages: 112, 127-130. Discuss other destruction of the environment, that he sees during his life. See pp. 337, 384

5. Audubon was a colorful character and had many adventures, including pirates, quicksand, earthquakes, fights, traveling the wild Mississippi, a mysterious naked woman, years apart from this family, alligators in FL, etc. Discuss these and see pages: 85, 96, 116, 140, 169, 180, 302, 361-

6. There were many fascinating men and women who lived and achieved greatness during these times, including Mary Shelley, Humboldt, Darwin, Bartram, Peale, etc. Discuss who he met and was greatly influenced and impacted by, including Alex Wilson, Charles Bonaparte, Berthoud, Syme, Nuttall, Vanderlyn, Bachman, Thomas Sully, Sir Walter Scott, Henry Clay, Rathbones, Andrew Jackson, President Houston, etc. See pp: 144, 150, 166-167, 186, 215, 219-221, 224, 252-, 276, 283-285, 305-, 352, 396-

7. Creatures were still being discovered, collected and named. Discuss and can you identify some of the different names used for the birds and animals we know today, including: mosquito hawks, tufted ducks, black bellied darters, swallow tailed hawk, white headed eagle, great footed hawk, carrion crows, red breasted thrushes, etc. See pages: 158, 178.

8. Discuss Audubon’s painting and his processes which evolved over the years and the challenges from destructive wood rats to losing them, watercolors and oils, finding time and money to realize his dream as well as the men who handled his engravings (Lizars and Havell) and how he sold and developed his famous work, The Birds of America. See pp: 116, 163, 169, 210, 217, 261, 273, 285, 293-294, 299-304, 341, 345-, 403-

(Audubon.org)

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken

Summary (Amazon): "The 100 most substantive solutions to reverse global warming, based on meticulous research by leading scientists and policymakers around the world."

Website for the Book: https://www.drawdown.org/

Event: September 24, 7:00 - 9:00 for Climate Week in NYC:
https://www.climateweeknyc.org/event/drawdown

Reviews:
NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/opinion/a-smorgasbord-of-solutions-for-global-warming.html

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/oct/22/first-look-environmental-entrepreneur-paul-hawkens-long-awaited-new-book

Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/paul-hawken/drawdown/

Ted Talks:
1. Chad Frischmann:
https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_frischmann_100_solutions_to_climate_change?language=en
2. Katherine Wilkinson: How empowering women and girls can help stop global warming:
https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_wilkinson_how_empowering_women_and_girls_can_help_stop_global_warming/transcript?language=en

The Green Deal, House Resolution 109: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/109/text

Group Discussion: (This will be led by Donna.)

 The logical way to read this book is to use it to identify how you can make a difference. How each person thinks and perceives his or her role and responsibility in the world is the first step in any transformation - the base upon which all change depends. (p. 216)

Keeping this in mind, read what is of interest to you. Keep some notes and write up some of your own questions and observations to share with the group and what you find inspiring.

Also, please read the beginning including Origins, Language and Numbers (x-xv) and also the end An Opening, Methodology and What the Numbers tell us (p. 216-225)

1. Which solutions for drawing down carbon dioxide emissions struck you as the most:

interesting?    surprising?     feasible?               far-fetched?            controversial?

2. How can we make some changes in our own lives to help drawdown CO 2  levels?

3. How might government agencies affect and/or promote various solutions proposed in Drawdown?

4. Have you read The Green New Deal yet?  If not, what have you heard about it?   

5. Who might you give this book to, a recent graduate? A candidate? A neighbor, friend, or business person?   

Grass, Sky, Song by Trevor Herriot

Summary: Published to wide acclaim, this beautiful meditation on the fate of grassland birds has been praised for its profound wisdom and lyrical grace. Herriot, in a narrative that is at once intimate and informative, argues for the essential nature of these tiny creatures. He invites us into the unique world of dedicated scientists, passionate naturalists and such historical figures as 19th-century botanist John Macoun, the last naturalist to see the Great Plains in its pre-settlement grandeur.

Grass, Sky, Song is a blending of personal experience, history, philosophy and scientific research. Filled with evocative “sidebar” descriptions of threatened birds, from the sharp-tailed grouse to the chestnutcollared longspur, this graceful book demonstrates why Trevor Herriot is regarded as one of Canada’s finest non-fiction writers.

Eastern Meadowlark 

(Allaboutbirds.org)

Reason for reading this book:

Several local organizations came together to create awareness of our local ground nesting birds, to be found in the Pine Run Reservoir. Local ground nesting birds include: Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, Marsh Wren, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird. This book was recommended by several folks involved in the project and I thought it would be fun to celebrate this collaboration by reading this book.

Check out the recently installed informational sign near the bike path: 

Reviews:

http://www.birderslibrary.com/reviews/books/misc/grass_sky_song.htm

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/review-grass-sky-song-by-trevor-herriot/article4293711/

Marsh Wren

(Allaboutbirds.org)

Author's Site: https://www.trevorherriot.com/

Savannah Sparrow 

(Allaboutbirds.org)

Trevor Herriot's Blog, Grass Notes: http://trevorherriot.blogspot.com/; Check out Feb. 2009 for blog entries referring to this book.

Important Conservation Groups for the Prairie:

>American Prairie Reserve, National Geographic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvDKLElOjB4#action=share

(https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/nationalpark/3047/grasslands-national-park)

>Northern Great Plains Joint Venture: http://ngpjv.org/

Grassland Birds of the Great Plains:
1. https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/summer-2017/articles/grassland-birds-of-the-northern-great-plains

2. https://www.americanprairie.org/at-risk/grassland-birds

3. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/12/ranchers-environmentalists-cooperate-to-save-birds-prairies/

4. https://www.audubon.org/conservation/project/grassland-birds

Sprague's Pipit flight song: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spragues_Pipit/sounds

Discussion Questions:

1. What knowledge and experience do have with grassland birds?  Who are they,  their appearance, songs, habitat, etc.

2. Which species did you enjoy reading about?

3. What impacts have humans had on the grasslands?

4. Discuss the causes for decline of grassland birds in the Great Plains of Canada and US.

5. What does the author suggest for ranchers, farmers and consumers to do to restore the grasslands?

6. What kind of links can one make between his wife’s illness and the plight of birds?

7. Piping Plover are a personal favorite and I was surprised to learn that this bird has 3 different populations, including living in the Great Plains.  Please look over their status now and discuss:
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/pipingplover/index.html.

8. Written already 10 years ago, Herriot shares a bleak picture of many of the bird species. Where are they now? Are there any success stories?  Please visit and discuss:
https://www.esasuccess.org/2016/great_plains.shtml

Piping Plover

(Allaboutbirds.org)

Lark Bunting

(Allaboutbirds.org)

The World is Our Classroom by Cindy Ross

Summary (from Amazon): "Cindy's story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children?s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.

In this age of world connection, it is important to raise broad-minded and empathetic children who are knowledgeable about other cultures. To accomplish this goal, Cindy chose an unorthodox approach: she orchestrated learning opportunities for her children, Sierra and Bryce, in twelve countries. The family traveled the world, moving about on foot and bicycle, living simply and intimately. But just as important, and more accessible for many parents, were the opportunities for learning closer to home.

These adventures brought intangible gifts: values--such as compassion, empathy, resilience, self-reliance, and gratitude, among others--not always fostered in a traditional curriculum but crucially important to raising children.

By sharing her story, along with honest insights from her children about the importance of their unusual education, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children's best and most important educators. It is for parents who are seeking inspiration, who love a good story, and who are looking for an unorthodox way to raise the happiest, healthiest, and brightest children they can."

Reviews:
American Trails: https://www.americantrails.org/blog/2018/the-world-is-our-classroom

Interviews:
WDIY-88.1 Radio interview: https://www.wdiy.org/post/cindy-ross-lv-discourse#stream/0
Rolf Potts: https://rolfpotts.com/cindy-ross/
The People's Chronicles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6l4wQNDzI

Author's Website: https://cindyrosstraveler.com/

Resources: Here are just a few of the many wonderful resources and websites shared by the author, especially from the Nut and Bolts section of each chapter:

Untours: https://www.untours.com/

PA Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC): https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: http://www.hawkmountain.org/

PA Conservation Leadership School: https://news.psu.edu/story/186449/2002/01/25/penn-state-conservation-leadership-schools

Bauen Camp: https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/camping-magazine/more-art-camp-bauen-story

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): https://wwoof.net/

Volunteer Forever: https://www.volunteerforever.com/

Family Tree Magazine: https://www.familytreemagazine.com/

Discussion Questions:

Please Note: The author, Cindy Ross, will be joining us for our discussion and also giving a presentation. These are just a few questions to consider and to spark a conversation. Please bring your own questions to ask as well.

1. What experiences and adventures have stretched or challenged you as a child? Adult? Parent? Grandparent?

2. What did you find surprising in this book?

3. Which adventures did you especially enjoy reading about? Do any of them inspire you to consider a future trip for yourself or family?

4. Discuss the development of traits such as empathy, empowerment, appreciation of nature, curiosity through traveling and adventure, etc. as shared in the book.

5. Each chapter begins with a thoughtful quote. Which one did you especially like and why?

6. What skills do you believe are needed to deal with the “alligators and grizzlies” of life? (p. 184) Can these skills be achieved at any stage of life?

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

Summary (from Amazon): "In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, Elisabeth Tova Bailey shares an inspiring and intimate story of her encounter with a Neohelix albolabris - a common woodland snail. While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own place in the world. Intrigued by the snail's molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, offering a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal.The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world can illuminate our own human existence, while providing an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive."

Reviews:
Orion: https://orionmagazine.org/review/the-sound-of-a-wild-snail-eating/

Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nina-sankovitch/the-beautiful-sound-of-a-_b_710413.html

Interviews:
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129475625

http://www.readmeblogsite.net/2013/11/21/interview-with-elisabeth-tova-bailey-author-of-the-sound-of-a-wild-snail-eating-text-publishing/

http://biophiliccities.org/interview-with-elisabeth-t-bailey/

Author's Website: http://www.elisabethtovabailey.net/

Common Woodland snail information: (Neohilix albolabris):
https://www.carnegiemnh.org/science/mollusks/va_neohelix_albolabris.html

Videos:
Video: Snail eating a mushroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtUioCEVx7U
Video from the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf2suzMV_ME

How to make a Terrarium (from Marissa): https://www.momtastic.com/diy/527559-make-snail-terrarium/

Discussion Questions from author: 
http://elisabethtovabailey.net/files/WildSnailDiscussionQuestions.pdf

Discussion Questions: (These are Marissa's questions, who will be leading the discussion.)

1. Was anyone surprised by the intensity and tragedy of the prologue? How did that set the tone for you about the rest of the book?
2. There are 2 protagonists in "The sound of a Wild Snail Eating", the snail and the human. Did you find yourself drawn to one more than the other? Does that say something about you as a person?
3. Which was your favorite chapter and why? Was there a particular phrase, sentence or idea that intrigued you?
4. Have you ever noticed a snail before? Did the book change your understanding of the life of a snail? What did you find fascinating about the snail?
5. Did the author's decision not to name the snail impact the narrative?
6. What is your relationship with the natural world and other animals?
7. Are you (or have you been) a patient or caregiver and how did this illness narrative reflect or expand your own experience?
8. If you were very ill and someone brought you a snail, would you find yourself watching it? What would your thoughts be?
9. Have you every acquired something that you originally didn't want, but then found yourself deeply attached to it later on?
10. If you were to recommend this book, would it be for the natural history of the snail or the illness narrative, or for another reason?

(Photos from author)

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus by Charles C. Mann

Summary (Amazon):
In this groundbreaking work of science, history, and archaeology, Charles C. Mann radically alters our understanding of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492.

Contrary to what so many Americans learn in school, the pre-Columbian Indians were not sparsely settled in a pristine wilderness; rather, there were huge numbers of Indians who actively molded and influenced the land around them. The astonishing Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan had running water and immaculately clean streets, and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called man’s first feat of genetic engineering. Indeed, Indians were not living lightly on the land but were landscaping and manipulating their world in ways that we are only now beginning to understand. Challenging and surprising, this a transformative new look at a rich and fascinating world we only thought we knew.

(Wikipedia)

Reviews:
New York Times: '1491' Vanished Americans https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/books/review/1491-vanished-americans.html

Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/charles-c-mann/1491/

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/nov/04/1493-americas-charles-mann-review

Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/04/AR2005080401609.html

Interviews:
NPR: https://www.npr.org/2005/08/21/4805434/1491-explores-the-americas-before-columbus
HCTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhncJH4UFQI

Author's Website: http://www.charlesmann.org/

Author's Article in The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2002/03/1491/302445/

Series on Vimeo based on the book: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/1491channel;
Free overview: https://vimeo.com/246849321

Penguin Random House's Reading Guide (2nd Edition):
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/107178/1491-second-edition-by-charles-c-mann/9781400032051/readers-guide/

Discussion Questions: (John will be leading the discussion with his following questions)

1. What are some of the most important misconceptions about the Americas before Europeans? How did these misconceptions come about?

2. Describe the author’s depiction of the new world and how it was developed by its original inhabitants?

3. What were some of the accomplishments of Native Americans that equal or surpassed those of Europeans?

4. What were some of the most memorable, and catastrophic, initial encounters between Europeans and Native Americans, and what were common factors between them? Could we become vulnerable like the Native Americans in our global society today?  Could the tragic outcomes been avoided?

5. How has our understanding of the history of Native Americans and how they settled these continents changed during our lifetimes?

6. Infectious diseases perhaps played the most important role in the devastation of Native American populations. What were some of these diseases and their effects? What would have happened if Native Americans had also harbored infectious diseases unknown to Europeans?

7. An important goal for modern environmentalists is to preserve and restore the Amazonian forests.  How does this impact the native peoples of this region?  Could this also be seen as a modern version of foreigners imposing their wills upon indigenous peoples?

8. Do you think the world is a better place for what happened?

(Patheos.com)