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Distributed for Reaktion Books

Cuckoo

An entertaining and wide-ranging romp through the cultural history of a peculiar bird.
 
The cuckoo is peculiar for inspiring such divergent ideas: a symbol of foolishness to both Aristophanes and Cocoa Puffs, a reliable harbinger of spring and the hours of a cuckoo clock, and the source of innumerable innuendos inspired by a habit of laying eggs in others’ nests. In this short, entertaining book, Cynthia Chris explores both the natural and cultural history of the cuckoo as well as the many stories told throughout the centuries about this fascinating bird.

168 pages | 80 color plates, 17 halftones | 5.31 x 7.48 | © 2024

Animal

Biological Sciences: Natural History


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Reviews

“Timely, nutty, inspiring, subversive, maddening, secretive—that’s the cuckoo in life and in lore. What would spring be without the cuckoo’s call? Achingly silent. I’m grateful to Chris for her evocative study of this fascinating and charismatic bird.”

Elizabeth Bradfield, naturalist, author of "Toward Antarctica" and editor of "Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry"

“Taking in a range of stories from clockmaking to international travel and sexual shenanigans, this book contains all you ever wanted to know about cuckoos. Fascinating and accessible.”

Chris Gibson, retired conservation specialist for Natural England

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Cuckoo?
2. ‘Dear Cuckold’
3. Myth and Madness
4. Nature’s Timekeeper
5. The Cuckoo’s Song
6. Cuckoo Futures
Timeline of the Cuckoo

References
Select Bibliography
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

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