cover image What the Robin Knows: 
How Birds Reveal the Secrets 
of the Natural World

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World

Jon Young. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $22 (272p) ISBN 978-0-547-45125-1

In this naturalist guidebook, Young, a naturalist and teacher, has two objectives: first, by studying “deep bird language,” we can find out “what’s really going on in the world of birds”; second, we can figure out how to ”access that world through our awareness of deep bird language so that we can see more wildlife.” His third, less direct goal is sharing his “conviction that understanding the birds really does help us to understand ourselves.” The premise is simple: find a “sit spot” (a place where you can unobtrusively be part of the world you are observing) and go there frequently—daily, if possible. Sit quietly and stay long enough to let the birds readjust to their “baseline” vocalizing. Recognizing the baseline allows you to notice outlying noises and begin to posit theories about them, although, as Young frequently reminds readers, he is working with largely hypothetical concepts. The book comes with a handy collection of audio files to help listeners identify various songs and alarms of common birds. Though primarily geared toward birders and naturalists rather than lay readers, this passionate instruction manual offers enjoyable anecdotes. Agent: Bonnie Solow. (May)