A Must-Have for Crane Lovers, Even If They Already Have/Love "Birds of Heaven"

books:


	• The Magic of Cranes Carl-Albrecht von Treuenfels Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2007 - 240 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Great Price for a Handsome Book Covering all the Cranes

Carl Albrecht von Treuenfels' "The Magic of Cranes" represents a life's work devoted to these majestic creatures. Like the cranes' own yearly migrations, von Treuenfels' travels in search of them have taken him literally many times around the globe, including to some of the most remote and dangerous areas of the world.

The opening section discusses the general behavior of cranes, with a multitude of the author's own photos, some quite fulsome full page spreads and a few quite spectacular double pages. One of my favorite extras is a full two-page color world map tracing the remarkable distances these large birds travel during their seasonal migrations.

The second section of the book is devoted to the fifteen different species, with each receiving a capacious discussion, filled with the sorts of close observation only possible through a lifetime's study.

The uniqueness of each crane comes across vividly through both the photos and text. Some of the many things I was especially struck by follow:
1) the silver grey Sarus cranes, the largest of all flying birds;
2) a photo capturing Hooded cranes packed together like Thanksgiving turkeys - (though thankfully not facing the same future!);
3) a description of the Demiselle crane, which began, "It's hard to believe the smallest of all cranes can be so loud! The whole sky seems to be filled with their trumpeting calls before we can even see the birds."

Each species' own troubles with survival and the conservation efforts in place are emphasized in full and enlightening detail. It's startling to learn how close several were to extinction within our lifetimes - and equally startling to discover how quickly some have bounced back. In the case of the famous Red-crowned cranes of Japan, for example, the birds actually were considered lost, only to miraculously be brought back starting in the early 1950's. By January, 2006 they numbered over 1,100.

The third section consists of a long chapter on the crane in art, with further fine reproductions showing artist's renderings and responses to these superb visual miracles of flight. As an art historian in training I found this section especially well done.

The fourth and final section discusses the emblematic role the crane plays in modern conservation.

"The Magic of Cranes" is a tremendous addition to the literature, and sure to please anyone who has seen and admired in the wild these graceful heavenly creatures. The translation from the original German reads fluently and well.

Lastly, at half price a wonderful bargain for this large copiously illustrated book.

for more information click here

A Must-Have for Crane Lovers, Even If They Already Have/Love "Birds of Heaven"

As D-HF's detailed review clearly establishes, everyone who reads von Treuenfels' opus will appreciate the depth and breadth of its information on all 15 species of these fascinating birds. The paragraphs that follow detail the last two sections of the book, which are equally excellent.

What enticed me to purchase THE MAGIC OF CRANES is the 35-page section entitled "Unique Among Birds as Icons of Art and Culture." Well-illustrated, it covers everything from archaelogists' discoveries of 4500-year-old crane images to Chinese, Japanese, old European masters and even Native American artists' depictions of cranes. The use of cranes in advertising is also noted, including as the logo of Lufthansa, which underwrote much of the cost of this book. And philatelists will appreciate the two pages of stamps dedicated to cranes. In addition to myths about cranes, also included in this section is a listing of major poets and novelists who have written about them as well as excerpts from some of their works.

The last section of the book begins by establishing that "protecting the cranes has far-reaching and positive effects on a wide variety of interdependent ecological communities that rely on water." One then learns how conservationists are working with farmers, electric companies and balloonists worldwide to accommodate cranes. Detailed as well are the stories of the two men who established the International Crane Foundation and the major role it has played in promoting international cooperation to ensure that these birds survive. One such venture, the use of colored bands and transmitters to gather information about them, is also explained. Six pages subsequently detail key visitor destinations throughout the world.

Finally, a note about the photographs-- In my original review, I had noted that "while the book is teeming with colored photographs, too many are of cranes in flight or from a distance and too few like the spectacular close-up on the book's cover." For relative newcomers to the world of cranes (which I am), the note I subsequently received from reviewer D-HF is instructive. "Not only is seeing so many photographs of real cranes in the wild exceptional," he wrote, "but no book that presents so much information about all 15 species has more arresting colored close-ups of each." Thus it was that I began to fully appreciate the book I had bought and now concur with D-HF's glowing review of it in its entirety.

For information about the International Crane Foundation, see the commentary.

for more information click here

A magician's triumph

Years ago my mother read me Aesop's fable about a fox and a crane. The image of the stylized crane that graced the book has remained in my memory ever since.

Cranes became real for me a few years later on the Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin; and these birds continue to fascinate me wherever I am in the world. Aware of my interest, our local New Jersey Audubon alerted me to von Treuenfels' new translation. It's wonderful to hold and to savor.

But since B. Evans and D-H Fan have described the book so well, I'm content to add my voice to what is sure to be a growing chorus of praise. The Magic of Cranes is a book that anyone with even a passing interest in these splendid creatures will want to own.

Coffee table or birder's study -- this book is worthy of serious consideration for either type of reader.

Robert C. Ross 2007 2008

for more information click here

Cranes, long-necked and long-legged birds of the Gruiformes order who mate for life, have fascinated many cultures. In Japan, they are a symbol of longevity and a happy marriage; in China, ?heavenly cranes? are messengers of wisdom. Carl-Albrecht von Treuenfels has spent decades observing and photographing cranes, and in this dazzling collection, he offers overwhelming evidence why we must strive to ensure their survival.

This beautiful volume includes maps depicting the birds? flight routes; guides to where cranes can be seen in their natural habitats; and detailed information on how they live, their elaborate and noisy courting ?dances,? how they nurture their young, and how they migrate each winter in V-shaped formations.

for more information click here

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

magic

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3)
Turbulent Sea (Drake Sisters, Book 6)
Where the Wild Things Are

search for books
magic of cranes, cranes, magic

Impressum / about us