The Feather Wars by James McCommons

About the Book:

From the time the country was founded, early Americans assumed that the land’s natural resources were infinite, including its birds, which were zealously hunted for food, game, and fashion. With the rapid extinction of the passenger pigeon—a bird once so numerous that its flocks darkened the sky in flight—many realized actions needed to be taken if other birds were to be saved. What followed was both a spiritual awakening and a great crusade to save birds and their habitat. The campaign took place on many battlefields: society teas in Boston, hunt clubs on the East Coast, the mangroves in the Everglades, and in the editorial pages of newspapers and periodicals. From many corners of the country the bird protection movement was born and brought together a remarkable coalition of people and organizations to save America’s birds.

The Feather Wars is an entertaining and expansive work of American history, an incredible story about how disparate characters—progressive politicians, free-thinking society belles, nature writers and artists, bird-loving U.S. presidents, gunmakers, business titans, and brave game wardens—came together to save hundreds of species of birds. Heroes, martyrs, villains, and conflicted do-gooders—the early bird conservation movement had them all. Together they transformed how Americans thought and cared about birds, forever altering the American landscape.

My Review:

I like birds. I have bird feeders in my yard. I had no idea of the large number of birds that are now gone. About one in four birds in the last fifty years, about three billion. I was aware of the carrier pigeon but many more are extinct or close to it. I do appreciate reading about the efforts of so many groups and individuals to preserve birds.

This is a good book highlighting people's attitudes in the past towards nature and birds in particular. I am glad I live in an era when birds are no longer killed to provide a decorative addition to a woman's hat! This is a good book for any reader interested in nature and preserving it for generations to come.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

James McCommons, professor emeritus, taught journalism and nature writing at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula for 20 years. Previously, he was a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, and business writer. He continues to work as a book author and freelance magazine writer with specialties in travel and environmental issues. He has published in Audubon, the L.A. Times, the New York Times, Discover, the History Channel Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens. His latest book "The Feather Wars and the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds" will be released March 17, 2026 by St. Martin's Press.

St. Martin's Press, 416 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independet review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)