The Race to Save the Lord God Bird

★”With power and humor, rage and sorrow, the narrative details the demise of the Lord God bird, braiding into its tale the stories of those who came into contact with it, from J.J. Audubon himself to James Tanner…Sidebars add engrossing details, and extensive back matter bespeaks exemplary nonfiction. But it’s the author’s passion that compels. Outstanding in every way.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★“This meticulously researched labor of love uses drama, suspense, and mystery to tell the story of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker…Hoose skillfully introduces each individual involved through interesting, historically accurate scenes. The author’s passion for his subject and high standards for excellence result in readable, compelling nonfiction.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“In a thoroughly researched account based on interviews, primary materials, and published sources, Hoose tells how naturalists…raised, too late, awareness of the Ivory-bill’s plight. Illustrated with archival photos and well provided with side bars, ‘important dates,’ maps, glossary, and index, this important summary of an environmental tragedy belongs in every library.” —The Horn Book

“The combination of the best of storytelling supported by extensive research…a must for any library serving youth or teachers.” —VOYA

“A compelling tale…readers will sense the urgency that remains, even if the Ivory-bill is gone.” —Publishers Weekly

“Hoose is a gifted storyteller. An engrossing story.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“A groundbreaking book for readers of any age. In a true story spanning two hundred years, Hoose delivers a spellbinding mystery and a haunting look at how a species can suddenly lose ground…Above all, this is a story about attitudes – toward birds, toward knowledge, toward land and science and wealth, and about the magical commonality of living things.”—Paul R. Ehrlich, author of The Population Bomb and President, Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University

“Phil Hoose uses his wonderful storytelling skills to give us the most thorough and readable account to date of the personalities, fashions, economics, and politics that combined to bring about the demise of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. I found myself thinking about The Race to Save the Lord God Bird long after I finished reading it.” —David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds

“If all Phil Hoose did in The Race to Save the Lord God Bird was tell the story of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, that would be enough, because he spins a mesmerizing tale – full of vivid characters and wilderness landscapes so real you can almost feel the humidity and hear the bellowing alligators. But his underlying message takes readers beyond the battle to save one glorious bird, and shows why some people dedicate their lives and hearts to fighting extinction – a hopeful message that is more important now than ever.” —Scott Weidensaul, author of The Ghost with Trembling Wings