Chercheur émérite au Wolfson College de Cambridge, cet auteur explore en profondeur l'histoire de la pensée politique, avec des contributions figurant dans des recueils importants. Par ailleurs, son travail s'étend aux domaines de l'histoire naturelle et de l'ornithologie. Ses écrits se caractérisent par leur érudition et une approche analytique d'une diversité de sujets.
What draws us to the beauty of a peacock, the flight of an eagle, or the song of a nightingale? Why are birds so significant in our lives and our sense of the world? And what do our ways of thinking about and experiencing birds tell us about ourselves? This title presents a meditation on the variety of human responses to birds.
Birds played an important role in the ancient world: as indicators of time, weather, and seasons; as a resource for hunting, medicine, and farming; as pets and entertainment; as omens and messengers of the gods. Jeremy Mynott explores the similarities and surprising differences between ancient perceptions of the natural world and our own.
Exploring humanity's connection with the natural world from pre-history to modern times, the narrative delves into how nature has fueled human curiosity and creativity. It contrasts this historical reverence with the current alarming trend of environmental degradation and loss. The book highlights the importance of understanding our evolving relationship with nature as we confront its rapid impoverishment and strive for a more sustainable future.