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On the Wing (Abridged): To the Edge of the Earth with the Peregrine Falcon Audiobook
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(3.92) - 26 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this extraordinary narrative, Alan Tennant recounts his all-out effort to radio-track the transcontinental migration of the peregrine falcon—an investigation no one before him had ever taken to such lengths.
On the Wing transports us from the windswept flats of the Texas barrier islands—where the tundra falcons pause during their springtime journey north—to the Arctic, and then south, through Mexico, Belize, and into the Caribbean, in a hilariously picaresque and bumpy flight. At the helm is Tennant's partner in falcon-chasing, George Vose, a septuagenarian World War II vet who trusts his instincts as much as his instruments. As the two men nearly lose their lives and run afoul of the law in the race to keep their birds in view and their rattletrap Cessna gassed up and running, Tennant renders with gorgeous precision and skill the landscape and wildlife they pass on the way and the falcons that direct their course.
On the Wing is a breathtaking encounter with these majestic birds—the icons of pharaohs, Oriental emperors, and European nobility—whose fierce mien, power, and swiftness have fired the human imagination for centuries. This is an unforgettable tale that speaks to all our dreams of flight.
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"This is a well written journey about 2 men following a couple of peregrine falcons. I wish it had more pictures! LOL I love peregrines so I knew I'd like the book but I was surprised about how engrossed in the story I became and how close you feel to the author and the falcon! "
— Carla (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Tennant carries with him…a passion, a humor, and a sense for describing people and place that transform his adventure into a highly readable tale. [On the Wing] is the best sort of nonfiction—the kind that sounds as if it were written by a novelist who values the energy of story above all else.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“On the Wing reads like an avian version of On the Road…Tennant is a dreamer, a watcher, and a chaser.”
— Dallas Morning News -
“[Tennant’s] writing burns with the same intensity with which he lives, and his book makes it clear that his way of living—with passion and a disregard for the everyday—is the best way.”
— National Geographic Adventure -
“Travel is an excellent launching pad for interesting inquiry, and Tennant’s pensive digressions range from dinosaurs to DDT…Reading about [falcons] as individuals in Tennant’s skillful, often lyrical language, is both privilege and pleasure.”
— Seattle Times
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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New York Times Book Review 100 Notable Books for Nonfiction, 2004
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A 2004 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Science & Technology
On the Wing Listener Reviews
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" Slow to get into, but eventually quite gripping to follow the journey of Tennant as he follows a handful of peregrine falcons. The observations on the falcons are interesting, but even more are the environmental degradations Tennant happens across throughout the Americas. "
— Marissa, 7/25/2013 -
" This is a well written journey about 2 men following a couple of peregrine falcons. I wish it had more pictures! LOL I love peregrines so I knew I'd like the book but I was surprised about how engrossed in the story I became and how close you feel to the author and the falcon! "
— Carla, 1/16/2013 -
" This is a good book to read at the beach or on vacation. It has many interesting facts about nature and lots of funny moments. The author's love of nature comes through and enhances the story. I thought it was very well written. "
— David, 12/20/2012 -
" An engaging story perfect for any bird lover! "
— Monica, 9/12/2012 -
" They had quite an adventure in that battered, old, Cessna chasing Peregren falcons to the arctic and back. "
— Jon, 5/31/2012 -
" If you've ever dreamed of migrating like a raptor, this book will take you there. Very well written too. "
— Sarah, 5/28/2012 -
" I wish I could have gone along on this adventure, flying a Cessna and tracking a peregrine falcon on its migration route. "
— Terry, 2/19/2012 -
" A bird's-eye view of natural cycles. I felt like I buckled in for a bumpy ride in a small plane, and I've had an eye for hawks and raptors ever since. "
— Marguerite, 2/2/2012 -
" This is a good book to read at the beach or on vacation. It has many interesting facts about nature and lots of funny moments. The author's love of nature comes through and enhances the story. I thought it was very well written. "
— David, 4/2/2011 -
" If you've ever dreamed of migrating like a raptor, this book will take you there. Very well written too. "
— Sarah, 11/28/2009 -
" I wish I could have gone along on this adventure, flying a Cessna and tracking a peregrine falcon on its migration route. "
— Terry, 12/19/2008 -
" Slow to get into, but eventually quite gripping to follow the journey of Tennant as he follows a handful of peregrine falcons. The observations on the falcons are interesting, but even more are the environmental degradations Tennant happens across throughout the Americas. "
— Marissa, 6/21/2007
About Alan Tennant
Alan Tennant is a New York Times bestselling author, wildlife lecturer, wilderness guide, and herpetologist. His books and articles include several volumes on the snakes of North America and have received numerous accolades, such as the New York Public Library Award and the National Outdoor Book Award. He is a former professor of English and literature at the University of Texas and president to several animal preservation societies. He lives in Marathon, Texas.