Since 1972 Mark Cocker has been a member of a community of obsessional people, almost all male, who sacrifice most of their spare time, a good deal of money, sometimes their chances of a partner or family, even occasionally their lives, to watch birds.
Birders is the story of this community, of its characters, its rules, its equipment and its adventures - many of which are hilariously funny, Birders is also a work of love - the story of what birds can do to the human heart.
Imprint: Vintage Digital
Published: 29/02/2012
ISBN: 9781448105267
Length: 240 Pages
RRP: £10.99
At last! An up to date examination of what makes birders tick. And about time too! Wonderfully written
A natural history version of Fever Pitch... Reading it may even make you want to try out this strangely addictive past time for yourself
Intensely readable, very funny and highly enlightening
With a mixture of well-chosen anecdotes and self-deprecating humour, Cocker succeeds in making event he most hardened cynic appreciate his passion. Birders is a stylish work in a long tradition of fine writing on the subject
The best account yet of the "tribe" and its wonderful, unworldly passions