Praise for SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide
Posted by Peter Harrison
in Of Interest
On August 3rd, after an ambitious 36-day journey by sea across the Atlantic, then overland by truck from New York to my home on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, I watched with pure excitement as 1,000 books, organized on four pallets—a total of 4,409 pounds of books—were transferred by forklift down my long driveway to my welcoming doorstep. SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide had arrived!
Days later, I learned that my publisher, Lynx Edicions in Barcelona, Spain, had sold out of the first 5,000 print run copies of the book in just one week. In their 32 years in the publishing business, this had never happened before!
I spent the better part of August signing books, and Shirley devised a perfect system of carefully packaging and shipping the autographed books so that we were able to fulfill all orders of SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide received since April, by the end of August. That was no easy feat, but we managed. And then we took time to reflect and celebrate this milestone! I am filled with gratitude that my life’s work is now making its way into the hands of seabirders across the globe.
The initial response to the book has been fantastic. I am both honored and humbled to share with you today some of the reviews and comments the book has received from friends, colleagues, and fellow seabirders around the world, including our first academic review in Pacific Conservation Biology.
All my life, I have never wanted to be the best, simply to do my best. Without a doubt, SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide will be my life’s major work. But it took more than just me. I had many people who helped and supported me along the way, and enabled me to produce a book that I am very proud of. I do not see SEABIRDS as a book, rather, a life—a passion for seabirds and their home, the ocean.
For those of you still wishing to purchase a copy of the book, you may do so at the book’s website www.PeterHarrisonSeabirds.com. Or you can get in touch by email: info@peterharrisonseabirds.com. Happy seabirding, friends. May your path to the sea be short and your voyage long.
Selected Quotes
The level of research to produce this book is staggering. I would recommend this book to all ‘seabirders’ amateur or professional. It will surely facilitate identification of unfamiliar seabirds for individuals of many different skill levels…and is likely the best resource that would fit into a backpack or perhaps on the shelf of a cabin. It belongs in many labs, libraries and in the hands of seabirders.
— Published in Pacific Conservation Biology. Graham R. Fulton, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland and Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University.The guide is truly one for the ages. Thank you for this monumental work.
— Michael H. Horn, Professor of Biology Emeritus, Fish Seabird and Conservation Biology Lab, Department of Biological Science, California State University, FullertonSEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide is a monumental new book that is a treasure-trove of information. Back in 1983, Harrison’s “Seabirds” made possible the field identification of these little-known birds for the first time, and stimulated enormous interest in pelagic sea-birding. It was the “bible” that we all carried offshore. The new book is a quantum leap forward, reflecting the knowledge gained over the past decades, due in large part to Harrison’s influence. I encourage all serious birders to get this book. It is truly a masterpiece of science and art.
— Pepper Trail, Senior Ornithologist, National Fish and Wildlife Forensics LaboratoryI just received my signed copy of ‘SEABIRDS’ this afternoon, and I have barely been able to put it down, as much for the content as for the exquisite illustrations. Your original Seabirds: An Identification Guide remains a key part of my seabird library 35 years after I bought it as an undergraduate at university. And it has served as an inspiration for my career in seabird conservation biology and ecology. Congratulations on the publication of this tremendous resource and body of artwork. I am sure that it will serve me as a resource and a source of inspiration for as long and as well as your original guide has.
— Peter Hodum, PhD, Chile Program Director, Oikonos Ecosystem KnowledgeThe quality of the illustrations is superb, with the important species-discrimination features pointed out on the plates with the text right next to the picture…so convenient! The text pages are succinct, but with the crucial information all right there.
— Professor Hamish Spencer, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New ZealandI am very impressed by this latest ‘SEABIRDS’— a huge undertaking by you and a very significant contribution for those of us passionate about seabirds. An enormous undertaking so well done. It will be another landmark book.
— Peter Fullagar, Seabird OrnithologistI am absolutely blown away by this incredible book! A huge thank you to you and your co-authors for bringing the world of seabirds through so clearly and beautifully with your exquisite illustrations!
— Dr. Melissa Whitecross, Landscape Conservation Programme Manager, BirdLife South AfricaIt is astonishing. By weight alone it is impressive. But, when one thumbs through it looking at all the plates, realizing that every image was hand-painted…it is nothing short of amazing. The perseverance and dedication to the task is beyond comprehension. I am proud to know the author!
— Alexander Armentrout, Apex traveler and seabirderI’m very impressed by both the artwork and the level of detail. I also like the ID pointers you’ve included in the plates. What a monumental undertaking. Like your previous edition, I expect this version will become the standard reference for decades to come.
— Gordon Petersen, Apex traveler and seabirderCongratulations on your absolutely spectacular new ‘SEABIRDS’ Identification Guide. It is a masterpiece. Without any doubt, it is by far the most comprehensive and best bird identification book that I have.
— Bob Logan, seabirderI just received your new book and it is stunning. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! It is perfect in every way!
— Kathy Keech, Apex traveler and seabirderFrom start to finish, you can feel the love and dedication Harrison poured into this. 10 out of 10!
— Chris the Birder, on Twitter
Peter/Shirley—I love seeing the delivery and distribution process; and the accolades from around the` world.
The celebratory bubbly and glasses, with Peter’s smiling face, says it all. Once again—CONGRATULATIONS!—John and Lysbeth
I have no regrets ordering this book…a surprise for my Husband’s birthday which is in October. However, when the book arrived I was too excited to wait that long, so I gave it to him and he opened it – very slowly because it was wrapped up tighter than Fort Knox. Well, it was worth the wait…just reading the preface brings back some many fond memories of our trips with Peter and Apex and Zegrahm. The plates are awesome, as we have watched Peter sketching/drawing birds on our trips. Thank you so much for such a wonderful book. We will have lots of enjoyment reading its pages.
Peter,
How do we get a signed copy of your updated magnum opus? Our copy of the original version isn’t as tattered as yours, but still shows the effect of a lot of usage, although we didn’t travel with it a lot as it was too heavy. We have lots of fond memories.
Ralph and Nancy Aldrich
We signed up for an autographed copy when we were on an Antarctic cruise with Peter. Have they all been shipped? Still waiting for a copy.
Thanks for the nice dedication. the book is awesome. We keep opening at random to learn something new. Lots of new Penguins and some new Albatrosses since we were travelling with you and Zegrahm.