Last of the Curlews

by Fred Bodsworth

Book Overview

A conservation classic, Fred Bodsworth's 'Last of the Curlews' tells the story of a solitary Eskimo curlew's perilous migration and search for a mate. The lone survivor comes to stand for the entirety... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1887178007
• ISBN13: 9781887178006
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Counterpoint LLC
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Empathy for Endangered Species

This book received excellent reviews from the New York Times and other leading book reviewers because of its moving story. This is an intense little book, very easily read in an evening, about a year in the life of one of the last Eskimo Curlews in existence. This book takes you on the migration journey of the Curlew and vividly illustrates its struggle for survival. It also showcases historical notes about the slaughter of the curlews in the late 1800's and the notes of alarm raised by scientists that unfortunately did not initiate conservation measures to help this species. I had read one other book like this about the Passenger Pigeon, that told the story of a species and its struggle to avoid the slaughter of the market hunters of the 1800's. This book though is the best of the type as Bodsworth is a skilled writer and is able to show the life of the Eskimo Curlew in heart-wrenching detail without anthropomorophism. I would encourage everyone to read this and pass it around for others to read as it is quickly read but has powerful impact. To have some emotional concern or motivation to help protect threatened species of life on this earth you need empathy and this book is a masterpiece at producing that empathy.

There's Always Hope...

This is a Classic and recognized as one of the finest Natural History books in North America as well as abroad.First published in 1955 it has been re-issued ,probably as many as 20 times over the years. Suffice it to say ,anyone with any interest in nature,birds, extinct species,conservation,preservation of species,would find this an excellent read.As a matter of fact,I would go so far as to suggest that after reading this book,one would probably agree it is the best natural history book they have ever read.Just look at the other reviews. The main reason for my writing this review is to tell you that after reading 'The Last of the Curlews'you might want to read some of Bodsworth's other lesser known but also excellent works. "The Strange One" "The Sparrows Fall" "The Atonement of Ashley Morden" and, "The Pacific Coast" Another excellent thing about 'The Last of the Curlews' are the superb scratch board illustrations by T M Shortt,one of Canada's finest artists;so make sure they are in the edition you get. With regards to my title...for several decades the search has continued without success.There have been a few reports of sightings,but none confirmed.There is a lot of territory in it's range,between the tip of South America and the Arctic Circle where there may be survivors...there's always hope. I still see Fred on occasion;so let's hope we see another book from him soon.

A must read

This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching short book, a fictionalization of the migration of a lone Eskimo Curlew from the arctic to South America and back. The Eskimo Curlew was once a plentiful shorebird that was highly sought after by hunters because of the succulence of its flesh and the ease with which it could be taken. Usually flying in dense swarms, a score or more birds could be brought down by a single shotgun blast. In some cases so many were killed, that the hunters left those that could not be transported to market in massive piles. And so it came to pass that by the late 19th-century, the Eskimo Curlew population declined rapidly, to the point where it was virtually extinct at the time Bodsworth wrote the book.Although a work of fiction, this is a book that should be read by everyone who has an interest in Nature and the environment.

A Haunting Classic ....

Bodsworth is brilliant in his capacity to provide the reader with an emotionally arrousing text, supported by fascinating technical details of bird migration. I cannot imagine that anyone having even a remote interest in birds, nature or life, would not be moved by this great piece.

It broke my heart.

I doubt anyone will ever see this review, but I thought I'd submit one anyway. Never have I experienced a book that so forced me to put it down every few pages, from its overwhelming sadness and beauty. Merwin, who championed this rare gem, once wrote: "If I were not human, I would have nothing to be ashamed of." Truly, this is the kind of reading experience that cuts to the core of our species' tragic history.