Rare Birds

by Dan Bessie

In this work, the author details the numerous and often extraordinary achievements of his family. His uncle Leo Burnett headed one of the world's largest advertising agencies, his father's cousin... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813121795
• ISBN13: 9780813121796
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Rare Book

"Rare Birds, An American Family" by Dan Bessie (University Press of Kentucky, 2001), gives an extremely personal look at one person's family history. Yet it's also a peek into just about everyone's family history, applied with a widely-sweeping paintbrush. And it is a piece of art. Dan Bessie manages to take each family member - from ancestors he never met but whom who he heard all the stories about, to candid accounts of his closest relations - and give telling, engaging, entertaining, and poignant accounts of each of their lives. Every story Dan tells gives the reader an intimate snapshot of a real human life. Not all the folks are heroes but neither are they all villains. Somehow, he manages to engage their true humanity in all its beauty and warts. "Rare Birds" shows that families are made up of characters, so many characters as different, and the same, as the fabrics in a well-worn, comfortable, and somehow exciting tapestry that's been handed down generation after generation after generation . . . and still loved with each and every touch of another human experience. Students of human nature, genealogists, biography lovers, and anyone who simply has a thing for a good character study will enjoy "Rare Birds." Dan Bessie is the consummate storyteller. -- Linda Alexander, author, "Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, & Communism"

A Fascinating Family

This is a truly heartfelt look into a talented, creative and outspoken family. From the wild west days to the Spanish Civil War, Mr. Bessie examines and tells the tales of his family with warmth and wit. These are people who lived life, not coasted through it. The exhaustive research is evident yet the author honestly points out when the trail goes cold and he is left with only oral history or speculation. Above all, he treats each life with respect and love even when he doesn't wholly approve. Not just a truly entertaining read, it prompts all of us to really get to know our own family members, rare or otherwise, in a meaningful way before we find it's too late.

Rare Birds

Great book. Not only well written but written with the insight of a mature, intelligent sensitive human being. Great insight into the human condition. The author comes from a unusally talented and creative family and as this book demonstrates is as creative as any of them. Telling us the story of his family gives us alot information about the political climate in the USA and its effect on individual citizens. Extremly interesting and varied Family members from the world's must prolific bird watcher to a Leftist screen writer who fought with the Abraham Lincoln`Brigade in the Spanish Civil War.

fascinating reading

What a family! After reading RARE BIRDS, you'll want to shake your own family tree to see what flies out. Dan Bessie's book is a delicious slice of the American pie and should be tasted by everyone.

A Family You Wish For Your Own

Enchanting description of fascinating people, creative, funny, brave relatives. From a record-breaking birder aunt to puppeteer uncles, a Hollywood blacklisted father and much more. My only regret is that they were not MY family. Bessie writes so engagingly that you feel as you know tham all. A book for everyone..those who remember the tragic Hollywood Blacklist days, those who don't, those wanting to know the wonders of a creative, exciting family. We all have rare birds in our family or wish we did.