Flock Together

A Love Affair with Extinct Birds

B. J. Hollars

Narrated by Gerry Burke

Available from Audible

Book published by University of Nebraska Press

After stumbling upon a book of photographs depicting extinct animals, B.J. Hollars became fascinated by the creatures that are no longer with us; specifically, extinct North American birds.

How, he wondered, could we preserve so beautifully on film what we’ve failed to preserve in life?

And so begins his yearlong journey to find out, one that leads him from bogs to art museums, from archives to Christmas Counts, until he at last comes as close to extinct birds as he ever will during a behind-the-scenes visit at the Chicago Field Museum.

Heartbroken by the birds we’ve lost, Hollars takes refuge in those that remain. Armed with binoculars, a field guide, and knowledgeable friends, he begins his transition from budding birder to environmentally conscious citizen, a first step on a longer journey toward understanding the true tragedy of a bird’s song silenced forever.

Told with charm and wit, Flock Together is a remarkable memoir that shows how “knowing” the natural world—even just a small part—illuminates what it means to be a global citizen and how only by embracing our ecological responsibilities do we ever become fully human. A moving elegy to birds we’ve lost, Hollars’s exploration of what we can learn from extinct species will resonate in the minds of readers long beyond the final page.

B. J. Hollars is the editor of You Must Be This Tall To Ride: Contemporary Writers Take You Inside The Story. He is an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

REVIEWS:

“A finely crafted and often profound memoir.”

—Colorado Review

“This book should appeal to anyone with a curiosity about the world of nature.”

—Joel Greenberg, author of A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon's Flight to Extinction

“While world travelers gain a broad picture of our planet, Hollars illustrates the world of information and interest within a few feet of our front door.”

—Bill Schwab, E Missourian

“Flock Together is the highly satisfying tale of a fledgling birder. Hollars conveys an infectious sense of awe and excitement for every bird he spots. Yet this is so much more than just a catalog of sightings. It is also about the author’s entry into a community of intriguing characters—some brilliant, some eccentric, yet all bound by their fierce love for birds.”

—Justin Hocking, author of The Great Floodgates of the Wonderworld?