Product Description
When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place-a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before. As he pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the book, children will love being able to answer back and decide his fate. In his hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (225)

LoL book for parents and kids!

Pigeon goes on and on trying to persuade the reader to let him drive the bus, like so: "I tell you what: I'll just steer", "Hey, I've got an idea. Let's play `Drive the Bus'. I'll go first". And the kids get to say ... NO! That makes them feel superior, grown up, and responsible (since the bus driver asks everyone not to let the pigeon drive the bus while he is away). It almost lets kids to be parents for a while! And they love it. Nothing can be more entertaining to the little ones as to boss around the poor pigeon, while they learn how to say no to manipulating and may be ... just may be... recognize themselves in a fussy pigeon.

Besides great interaction with reader, this small book is full of fun and deceptively simple artwork that looks like it was drawn by the kids themselves. But don't let the simplicity fool you - the pigeon's eyes are drawn very expressively and full of emotion, which only more delightful to the readers. Large letters are great for preschoolers to let them learn letters and new words.

great for the kids to interact with me while i read
excellent is all i can say.I have my kids interact and say "no" through out the story and they just love participating.It helps get them ready for participating in library story time too.

Pigeon Innovation
A pigeon driving a bus?The young reader/listener will understand that this cannot happen. However, they might just picture themselves as they listen to the pleading of the pigeon.
There is a lesson to be learned about behavior.Good pigeon even if he has the wrong dream.

Wonderful Book - My son's current favorite!
My 18-month-old is a big reader (or "looker", if you prefer) and has been reading books, right-side-up, since he was able to sit up on his own. I first noticed "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, and I'm so glad that I purchased it! It immediately became my son's current favorite book, and is an incentive for bedtime, because he chants "Bus! Bus!" promptly at 7 pm. Regarding some of the lower-raters' concerns that toddlers will emulate the Pigeon's bad behavior, all I can tell you is that my son hasn't done so, and actually grasped the concept that Pigeon's behavior is not appropriate very quickly. In a matter of a week, he went from giggling "yes" when I asked, "shall we let the Pigeon Drive the Bus?" to saying "no", because of the Bus Driver's instructions. The artwork is simple, but joyful and evocative. The book also enables the parent or caregiver to engage with the child about the story, and thereby introduce the child to larger concepts.There will be more Pigeon in our future; I've already ordered 2 Pigeon board books and "Time to Say Please" because of how much my son has enjoyed "Bus" and the 2 Knuffle Bunny books.

Don't Crush the Pigeon's Dreams
I found the illustrations nice, but my 2 y.o., who adores "Knufflebunny: A Cautionary Tale" by the same auther, just didn't get it. When the pigeon asks to drive the bus, she said "o.k.," even when we told her that she was supposed to say no, as per the bus driver's instructions. She just wants to see him get something he wants and frankly, if a pigeon can talk, could he not also drive a bus? And we didn't understand why no other options were given to the pigeon. Couldn't he collect the tickets or just sit on the bus? Those are the kinds of things she would think of, but just saying no was too hard for her and I don't want to force her. She says no enough to other things, so no reason to make her say it to the poor pigeon. But she does like looking at the pictures and declaring that the pigeon is "sad" or "mad." The interactive nature of the book is limited if the only repsonse from the child can be "no." And some of the dialogue is clearly aimed at the parents rather than the kids. Maybe this would be better suited for older kids, so we are putting this away until she is more comfortable in the role of repeatedly crushing the pigeon's dreams :). At this point, it is nice that she has some empathy and wants to see the pigeon happy. But that is not how the book works. You can try to change the ending and say that the pigeon gets to drive a truck at the end, but most of the book won't make sense if your child does not repeatedly deny the pigeon his heart's desire. I have nothing but high praise for Knufflebunny (the original, not the sequel, which again is probably more suited for older children), though!

... Read more

Product Description
It’s getting dark out, but one stubborn Pigeon is NOT going to bed!Toddlers and parents will love this interactive bedtime romp, which puts readers back in the driver’s seat, following all of Pigeon’s sly trickery as he tries to outsmart the inevitable bedtime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (70)

Kids identify with the pigeon
This delightful book stars a pigeon who is always trying to get away with something he shouldn't be doing.It is page after page of the pigeons excuses to stay up later, while he becomes obviously more tired as he argues.The illustrations are simple, but very humorously convey each attempt to manipulate the reader into letting him stay up.My 4 year old has loved this book for 2 years and it is still a favorite on her bedtime reading routine.

Son loves these books
My three year old loves these books and even has memorized a lot of the pages.Probably will pick up reading quickly with books like this to help.

Best book ever...
This book is terrific.So funny and so engaging.I love it as an adult and as a mom and my son is totally in love with it.Mo Willems - we adore you!

A delightfully `fun' bedtime story!
I'm always looking for a good story about bedtime to read to my little muffin since she abhors the thought of going to bed.She's normally pretty good about not throwing huge tantrums, but she tries to prolong the inevitable as best she can.

"Now sing me a song."
"Now tell me a story."
"Now read me a book."
"Can you rock me a little while?"
"Can I sleep with mommy and daddy a little while?"
"Now lay on my pillow."
"Just tell me one more story."
"Now read me one more story PLEASE!"

When I came across this book the other day at a local book store I was rather excited.I had thumbed through one of these pigeon books before, and I kind of like the simplicity of the animation.It's one of the stylishly realized books that has a real attitude despite not having a lot going on.

It's captivating.

This was the perfect little book for my little muffin.She loved it.It's witty and realistic (I mean, I can't even begin to count the times my little one has used "tell me about your day" as an escape from bedtime) and a pleasure to read.This pigeon is a load of fun, he and his little bunny, and I'm surely looking forward to snatching up a few more of these books.

GO MO!

Here is what my first graders have to say about this book
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by, Mo Willems is a super funny book!! I like this book because it reminds me about Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.He is always wanting things!!I love this book because it reminds me when my baby brother wants to stay up late!Just like the Pigeon.Will the Pigeon get to stay up late?Six year olds will like this book.
by, Jennifer age 6

I like Mo Willems books it is like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog!I like this book you will like Mo Willems books.He is in a mood to stay up late.The book is so funny you should read it.
by, Jaqueline age 6

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by, Mo Willems reminds me of my cousin staying up late.The Pigeon ws sleepy and stayed up late.Pigeon said I'm not sleepy.The book is wonderful.The Pigeon and the bunny didn't go to sleep.
by, Arlene age 6

In the book Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late the Pigeon did not go to sleep and the man said don't let the Pigeon stay up late.The Pigeon kept yawning and yawning until... he finally went to sleep.I like this book because its HILARIOUS!!!I like this book it is so hilarious!! I can't stop laughing.This Book is written by Mo Willems.Someday I would love to e an author.This book reminds me when I stayed up late playing Playstation 2 and mom wanted me to go to sleep and I didn't. My mom go mad at me because I didn't go to sleep.I think 8 and 7 year olds will like this book.Why does the Pigeon stay up late?
by, Destany age 6

I like the part when he yawns loud it is great.He is funny.In this book the Pigeon says, "I am not tired," we said, "yes you are," he yawns.Will the Pigeon stay up late?He yawned loud.The book is like me when my mom said, "Go to sleep."I said, "I am not tired."She said, "Yes, you are."I went to sleep.
by, Valentina age 7
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Product Description
When Pigeon finds a delicious hot dog, he can hardly wait to shove the entire thing in his beak. But . . . then a very sly and hungry duckling enters the scene and wants a bite. Who will be the more clever bird? In this hilarious follow-up to the acclaimed Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Mo Willems has created another avian adventure that encourages children to share even their most prized processed foods.Amazon.com Review
Sesame Street veteran and Emmy Award-winner Mo Willems returns with a fast, funny follow-up to Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!--only this time, the short-tempered pigeon faces his perfect foil in a "special guest star" duckling.In the previous Pigeon book, author and illustrator Willems expertly distilled the escalating emotions of preschoolers all too anxious to get their way. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog--also a simple and sparsely illustrated story--explores the flip side of that coin, exposing the poker-face persuasive powers of young negotiators. The pigeon just wants to greedily eat the hot dog that he's found: "Oooooh! A hot dog! Yummy! Yummy! Yummy!" Then along comes the duckling, "scooty scoot scoot!" with his insistent questions about hot dogs: "What do they taste like?...Would you say that it tastes like chicken?...Hey, I'm a curious bird." At first, the pigeon entertains the duckling, "Each morsel is a joy! A celebration in a bun!", but then he soon suspects the little bird might have designs on his delicious dog. In the end, of course, the clever duckling gets his way--and half of the hot dog: "You know, you're pretty smart for a duckling." (Ages Baby to Preschool) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (93)

Mo knows his audience.
As always, Pigeon wants something.
Unlike "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" and "Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late" in which the reader interacts with Pigeon by saying "NO!", Pigeon instead interacts with Special Guest Star, Duckling.

The result is a quicker read (since you don't have to pause for the reader's reaction) and with the limited words per page, it's still enjoyable for the toddler with a short attention span.

I completely credit this book for my 2 year old son's newfound love of hot dogs, and I also like the central message of this book: one should share.

In any event, if you like the Pigeon series, you'll like this book.However, I recommend that you purchase "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" first (so that the reader will be familiar with the Pigeon character).

A good book with a lot to live up to
If this book were the only Pigeon book, it would get five stars. But following on the heels of the literary triumph that was "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," it's an anemic sophomore effort. DLTPDTB oozes pathos and is, in fact, a biting allegory for over-regulated contemporary society. This one is just a book about a hot dog.

here is what my first graders have to say about the book
Yummy, Yummy, a hot dog.I like the part where he sees it's a hot dog.It is a funny book.The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by, Mo Willems
by, Alex age 6

The Pigeon found a hot dog.He said, "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy and then the little duck came.He said, "is that a hot dog?"This is a fantastic book by, Mo Willems.You should read this book.It reminds me when my brother dropped a hot dog and he ate it and he was grounded for a month and at home.You will like this book.
by, Issac age 6

Grandma's review
My 3 year old granddaughter loves this book.I read it over and over to her during Christmas week.I don't know why she liked this one more than the other Pigeon Books, but she did.

Splendor of a hot dog and book
My two boys and I love Mo Willems' books. They are so much fun to read to my children. They crack up in laughter over the silly remarks and dramatic characters. This book is no exception! It's easy to animate with the Pigeon's frustrated comments and the duckling's pesty inquisitions. My kids love to repeat the dialog between the two characters. This book is a great book to get children who aren't interested in reading (my youngest son) into the fun and endless possibilities books offer.
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Product Description
He really, really, REALLY wants one. He'll take really good care of it! What's the matter--don't you want him to be happy?

Customer Reviews (28)

Pigeon might have feelings, but seems a little cranky
The pigeon seems a little cranky in this book.This book (as opposed to the other Pigeon books which we really enjoy and read a lot) - has been sent to the closet and we do not read it any more.Why? Because the pigeon is cranky without an explained reason and it doesn't seem to be teaching children anything good. It seems to say, "I'm cranky and I don't want to be nice."Well, that's not what I want my daughter to learn.

There aren't a lot of pages, there aren't a lot of colors, there aren't a lot of things to look at on each page.It is possible to chew on this book for a small child, but there are better books out there, if chewing is the only goal.

We got this book as a gift because we liked the other Pigeon books so much, but this one I would pass on.

Books, Good Gift For Kids
Gave this to my pre-school niece who's Mom is a grade-school teacher, hoping it would please her since she loves books...I was told she loved it!

A great book, a great series
What a great book, we are getting the whole series.My son fell in love with one of these at 3 and he still loves them now.They are great for bedtime stories and for beginning readers.
The font is fun and easy to read at the same time.
The binding and paper are strong and durable, they remind me of the heavy pages of the old Dr. Seuss books.

Not what I expected
Service was very prompt, I received the book within 4 days.The problem was that I was expecting the actual book, not a little board book that was alot shorter than the actual book. It is basically an excerpt.The seller DID say board book but I was not expecting it to be different from the actual book.Guess I need to research a little more before purchasing but seller may want to make it a little more obvious that this is not the same book. But what I did recieve was in good condition.

8 month old loves this
My baby loves this book.He was being read to even before he was born, so I know right away if he does or does not enjoy a book.So far he loves all the books I have from this series and I don't mind reading this one either.These particular books are a bit more entertaining for the adults too versus other childrens' books. ... Read more

Product Description
From the internationally acclaimed Israeli writer Meir Shalev comes a mesmerizing novel of two love stories, separated by half a century but connected by one enchanting act of devotion.

During the 1948 War of Independence--a time when pigeons are still used to deliver battlefield messages--a gifted young pigeon handler is mortally wounded. In the moments before his death, he dispatches one last pigeon. The bird is carrying his extraordinary gift to the girl he has loved since adolescence. Intertwined with this story is the contemporary tale of Yair Mendelsohn, who has his own legacy from the 1948 war.Yair is a tour guide specializing in bird-watching trips who, in middle age, falls in love again with a childhood girlfriend. His growing passion for her, along with a gift from his mother on her deathbed, becomes the key to a life he thought no longer possible. 

Unforgettable in both its particulars and its sweep, A Pigeon and A Boy is a tale of lovers then and now--of how deeply we love, of what home is, and why we, like pigeons trained to fly in one direction only, must eventually return to it.  In a voice that is at once playful, wise, and altogether beguiling, Meir Shalev tells a story as universal as war and as intimate as a winged declaration of love.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Richly detailed Israeli story
I very much appreciated the richly detailed presentation of life in Israel. The leading character is a tour- guide who in the course of his adventures travels the land and reveals its character to the reader. My problem was that I felt a certain coldness in the main character and it was difficult to feelgreat sympathy with him.So I in the course of the work lost my own enthusiasm in the reading. I would only note that my feeling here is in contradiction with most readers who have far greater enthusiasm for the work.

A house and a man...
...is another possible title for this excellent book. "A Pigeon and a Boy" is a lovely novel that takes two main stories, places them side by side, and lets each play out.

What's remarkable about "A Pigeon and a Boy" is Meir Shalev's way of letting two stories develop without having either one ever grow stale or frustrating. Oftentimes, I find myself preferring one story over another, skimming the boring one and waiting eagerly for the good one. This is not the case with "A Pigeon and a Boy". Shalev knows when to give two chapters in a row from one story, when to showcase one character over another, and when to hold back and take a break. It's a refreshing way to tell both stories, and most effective too. Shalev has space to develop his characters, as well as an easy pace for his two wonderful stories.

Shalev also finds a good balance with his writing. The two stories are even written in slightly different styles, as if to accentuate the fact that they are indeed two separate stories. It's done very well, with just enough similarity between them to let them intertwine (as they inevitably do). Shalev never overwrites and never lets his writing bog down in heavy, cluttered sentences, but finds just where to be simple and just where to vividly describe a situation or place. Main character Yair, as a travel guide, takes us up and down the Israeli countryside, from Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem, to the north, and anywhere in between.

Yair himself is one of the many pillars holding up "A Pigeon and a Boy". Middle aged, unhappy in his married life, contemplating a need for a place of his own, and telling the story for his mother's benefit, he is a wholly real character. He makes mistakes, he faces them, he is awkward, he struggles with his family life, he learns. Yair is human in a way many characters aren't, and this makes him very easy to relate to. Aspects of his character may be frustrating, but frustrating in the way they'd be in good friends of ours.

Most characters in this book are well developed - from the Baby and the Girl, to Yair, to Tirzah, and through to Yair's mother and father. Some don't get enough screen time to fully flesh out. I'd have liked to get to know Yair's wife Liora better, much in the way I'd have liked the developing love between Yair and Tirzah to be fuller and more in-depth. This is perhaps due to the story of the Baby and the Girl, which develops so carefully that anything else seems so much less.

Ultimately, though, even as there are flaws (and like almost every book, there are a few flaws here and there), the book is beautifully crafted and wonderfully told. Comprised of two excellent stories and lots of facts to make the reader fall in love with carrier pigeons, "A Pigeon and a Boy" is a great example of good Israeli fiction, as well as a great book on its own.

Highly recommended.

Rich, Wonderful Novel
Shalev here weaves a tapestry that includes a poignant love story, several memorable characters, a detailed view of the intriguing world of homing pigeons, all unfolding before the backdrop of the Israeli War for Independence.As others have suggested, Shalev is an artist, painting with words, each incredibly appropriate for the moment.No description is overdone. Nothing is contrived.The book evolves simply and organically and leaves the reader dazzled by the end.This is an evocative, memorable masterpiece.

An Unusual Tale, with a Usual Ending
Shalev has created something truly uniquein a Boy and a Pigeon.Masterfully weaving two narratives together, there is a deep and penetrating analysis of what it is to be a human being, with all the loves, disappointments, and heart aches illustrated in all their shades.

This book also offer a unique view of Israel's War of Independence, through protagonists that are unexpectedly and finely drawn.With all that, it is too bad that Shalev provided the two page summary of the fate of the characters at the end.All through the novel Shalev is exploring the mysteries of things, their open-endedness, and then at the end he gives a pat recitation of how things conclude.

Yet even with this disappointing flaw, this is a superb novel; Shalev knows full well how to use the novelistic form to true advantage.

A Loved Home Is One Worth Returning To
"Pigeons need to love their home, otherwise they won't return to it."These words set the tone for this insightful and magical story.I enjoyed the wisdom that author Meir Shalev shared throughout this book.The story is a very beautiful story, but it is the hidden symbols and descriptions of home, love and life that so captivate the reader.Poetic in its prose and human in its teaching, you can't help but soar along as the story climbs to a height, then looks down and surveys where it originated.

So many incidents in the story reminded me of my relationship with my parents who are now both deceased.For those fellow unfortunates who've lost one or both of their parents, this book will rekindle their voices in you, the voices you heard so often immediately after their passing.

My understanding of what was happening early on in the book was helped by reading a few reviews before delving further into the story.The beginning can be a bit confusing with the switching between past and present.But trust me when I say its like riding a bicycle; once you've got the hang of it you'll find future riding second nature.

Upon completion of the book I immediately returned to the first chapter and read it through, something I'd suggest other readers do.In going back and reading that first chapter I was given a clearer sense of the drive behind the main character's actions as well as corroborating evidence throughout the story.kind of like returning to the scene of the crime after investigators have put all the pieces together and come up with a reenactment of what transpired. I would have given it five stars if the book included a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms used. Advanced Reader's Edition.

This book is deserving of all the awards and recognition its received.A literary treat for today! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Not impressed
Luckily I found this book used for $1 because I wouldn't want to pay more than that for it. My son isn't interested in the pictures, and there really isn't much to find interesting about the book in general. I really want to try some of the other pigeon books to see if they're better. It says on the cover that it's just a smidgeon of pigeon, and it really is too short and simple.

Huge disappointment and rip-off for Willems fans
This is not a board "book," as another reviewer obeserved, but a collection of random drawings from other Willems books - and darn few of them.I wouldn't mind that there is no story, since I bought it for a 1-year old, but he was disappointed that there were so few pictures and pages.Willems and Hyperion should be ashamed of themselves for this shoddy, lazy piece of publishing.

Pretty flat compared to the originals
This book seemed like a half-hearted afterthought compared to the very entertaining original, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!", which still makes my now-2 and now-3 year olds giggle.Whereas this book was boring after the 2nd read.

Mo Willems is wonderful
I got this book for my nephew who was four at the time of purchase. He liked this book a lot.

All of Mo Willems children's books are fabulous. They create a story through dialogue, often times, and get the child to interact with the characters on the pages by having the characters pose questions. His drawings are adorable and fun too. All these Pigeon books are really fun, as well as all the other books by Mo Willems.

Boods for Kids...Always good
Gave this to my pre-school niece who's Mom is a grade-school teacher, hoping it would please her since she loves books...I was told she loved it! ... Read more

Product Description
It's fall in the Sierra Mountains, and Anna Pigeon is slinging hash in Yosemite National Park's historic Ahwahnee Hotel. Four young people, all seasonal park employees, have disappeared, and two weeks of work by crack search-and-rescue teams have failed to turn up a single clue; investigators are unsure as to whether the four went AWOL for reasons of their own-or died in the park. Needing an out-of-park ranger to work undercover, Anna is detailed to dining-room duty; but after a week of waiting tables, she knows the missing employees are only the first indications of a sickness threatening the park.

Her twenty-something roommates give up their party-girl ways and panic; her new restaurant colleagues regard her with suspicion and fear. But when Anna's life is threatened and her temporary supervisor turns a deaf ear, she follows the scent of evil, taking a solo hike up a snowy trial to the high country, seeking answers. What waits for her is a nightmare of death and greed-and perhaps her final adventure.Amazon.com Review
When four young employees of Yosemite National Park disappear, ranger Anna Pigeon goes undercover as a waitress at the Ahwahnee Lodge to investigate. Living in the staff dorm, she soon discovers there's a connection between at least one of the missing girls, a crashed plane containing a fortune in drugs, and the outsiders who've moved into the tent cabin last occupied by a skilled climber who's also among the disappeared. The first attempt on her life doesn't scare her away, but the second is nearly fatal, and Anna's harrowing escape keeps the tension ratcheted up until the denouement. As usual, Nevada Barr turns in a well-paced thriller featuring a compelling protagonist and a strong cast of minor characters, but it's her brilliantly etched landscapesthat bring readers back to this popular series again and again. High Country is Anna's thirteenth outing, and it's one of her strongest. --Jane Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

OUTDOORS IN YOSEMITE
It's a fast-moving tale, easy to read, and predictable; but what the hey, it's in Yosemite, and therefore, worth the read. Barr's story is suspenseful, a page-turner, and I like the way she presented her characters (too many for me to keep count sometimes).Barr, like her hard-charging Ranger Pigeon, knows the territory and the procedures.Other reviewers have laid out the detailed plot, but I will say this novel prompted to pick a few more of Barr's stories and adventures.I'll save them for my next trip to a National Park sitting underneath a giant Sequoia tree.

Edge-of-your-seat stuff
Chalk up another one for Barr. This well-written tale embroils her park ranger character, Anna Pigeon, in more suspenseful escapades that require her plentiful wits and survival skills. It's edge-of-your-seat stuff.

This Ain't No Cozy
Four young park workers have gone missing from Yosemite and after an extensive search by the search and rescue teams the Park Service asks Ranger Anna Pigeon to go undercover and see if she can find anything out. She goes into the park as a waitress at the Ahwahanee Hotel in the shadow of the Sierra Nevadas.

Ever alert and a sophisticated eavesdropper, it doesn't take long for Anna to figure out that the missing employess are only the first sign that there is something very wrong going on in the Park. Her young twenty-something-year-old roommates seem to be afraid and suspisious, then an assisstant chef tries to scald her with boiling water.

When she learns that the brother of one of the missing waitresses might know more about her disappearance than he's admitted, her life is threatened. Then an encounter with a group of city-slicker types leads Anna into the high country where she finds the remains of a small plane stuffed full of drugs. She gets shot, is hunted by a group of very bad guys and is pushed to her limit as she struggles to survive.

As usual Nevada Barr has painted wonderful out door scencs and filled them with tension and suspense. If you haven't read an Anna Pigeon mystery yet, I think it's about time you did, and if you thought this was just a safe little cozy, well, you're wrong, this ain't no cozy, it's a full on action adventure mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

All in the Family
THE SETUP
Middle-aged Park Range Anna Pigeon goes undercover in Yosemite National Park to investigate the seemingly unrelated but simultaneous disappearance of 4 park personnel and visitors.She takes over the job and dorm room of missing restaurant waitress Trish Spencer.In fairly short order she discovers the fate of most of the missing, but in the meantime, her presence has stirred up trouble in the restaurant.

CHARACTERS
There are about 2 dozen significant characters, considerably more than a typical Nevada Barr novel.So, it may be a good idea to keep a dramatis personae handy, or take notes.The missing employees/visitors are Patrick Waters (working on a Trail Crew), Dixon Crofter (professional rock climber), older Trish Spencer (waitress) and her younger friend Katland Bates (summer intern)."Bad guys" immediately responsible for the missing include Mark Begalo (aka Belman) and "Phil".Among important Park personnel are Leo Johnson (Deputy Superintendent), Loraine Knight (the Chief Ranger), George Casney (assistant acting Superintendent).Important restaurant (of the Ahwahnee Hotel ) personnel are Jim Wither (chef), Scott Woodridge (assistant cook), and Tiny Begalo (head waitress).Brainless twits Nicky and Cricket are waitresses, both roommates of Trish Spencer (missing), and later Anna Pigeon (who replaces Trish). Richard "Dicky" Colif is Trish's brother.Anna is assisted by 17-year-old "park brat" Mary Bates, who works as a maid in the hotel.

Note that I listened to the unabridged audio version, so some names may be misspelled.

EVALUATION
"High Country" is an exciting, vivid, fast-paced mystery thriller.The varied characters feel genuine.This is one of the best Anna Pigeon novels.

COMPARISONS
Some Anna Pigeon novels are predominately mystery, some are mostly action thrillers, some are predominately suspense thrillers, one is even a gothic romance (ugh)."High Country" is one of the better mysteries and is certainly a thriller, but not as high suspense as some.Actually, that's fine with me, my ulcer has problems with some of the higher suspense Barr novels such as "Firestorm" and "Blind Descent"."High Country" is perhaps the darkest of Barr's novels--but that is only in comparison with other Anna Pigeon novels.I'd prefer to describe "High Country" as "psychologically richer".Indeed, the darker touch is absolutely in keeping with the older, less dare-devil, more reflective, Anna Pigeon.

RATING
"There is no accounting for tastes". It isn't the purpose of the Amazon ratings to comparitively rate the Anna Pigeon novels among themselves.Compared to the average "best selling" dreck out there, ALL Anna Pigeon novels are at least 4 1/2 stars.

Law Enforcement Agent??
I don't usually write reviews, but I just finished "High Country" and just had to make a comment.First of all, I want to say that the Anna Pidgeon mystery series is stellar and I absolutely love it.I eagerly await every book and would recommend it to anyone.

That being said, there was one glaringly obvious flaw in this book, that I just had to point it out. Anna is supposed to be a law enforcement agent.With her training, and after all her previous exploits in which she is physically harmed, why did she not inform someone of where she was going to be before she went on a 24 mile hike during the winter in one of the most harsh environments??If someone couldn't have accompanied her, she should, at the least, have called in and let one of the other rangers know where she was going!

Also, at the end, when she was walking everywhere, didn't it occur to her that there was a disfigured, partially burned murderer out there who might still want her dead?Yet she continues to be out in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, where even someone who didn't have law enforcement training, and criminals after her, wouldn't dare to walk.

Anyway, I just had to get that off my chest.Other than that, this is an excellent series, well worth reading. I just wish Anna would get a bit more sense . . . . ... Read more

Product Description
From the internationally acclaimed Israeli writer Meir Shalev comes a mesmerizing novel of two love stories, separated by half a century but connected by one enchanting act of devotion.

During the 1948 War of Independence--a time when pigeons are still used to deliver battlefield messages--a gifted young pigeon handler is mortally wounded. In the moments before his death, he dispatches one last pigeon. The bird is carrying his extraordinary gift to the girl he has loved since adolescence. Intertwined with this story is the contemporary tale of Yair Mendelsohn, who has his own legacy from the 1948 war.Yair is a tour guide specializing in bird-watching trips who, in middle age, falls in love again with a childhood girlfriend. His growing passion for her, along with a gift from his mother on her deathbed, becomes the key to a life he thought no longer possible. 

Unforgettable in both its particulars and its sweep, A Pigeon and A Boy is a tale of lovers then and now--of how deeply we love, of what home is, and why we, like pigeons trained to fly in one direction only, must eventually return to it.  In a voice that is at once playful, wise, and altogether beguiling, Meir Shalev tells a story as universal as war and as intimate as a winged declaration of love.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Product Description
The New York Times bestseller by the author of Winter Study.

To list their spirits, Anna Pigeon and her husband head to Texas for a rafting trip on the Rio Grande. The power of the river works its magic- until the raft is lost in the rapids and someone makes the grisly discovery of a pregnant woman caught between two boulders. Soon Anna will learn that nature isn't the only one who wanted to see the woman and her baby dead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (78)

Her very Best
I have read every one of Nevada Barr's books, some were good, some were okay, this one was fantastic!There was a reality to the characters which made it so easy to fall into - didn't want to put it down.

Anna Pigeon is a good friend while traveling!
I found Anna in Cozumel, with Superior Death! I love the stories and plot. Im a Search & Rescue diver and an EMT Instructor. Anna and I would be great friends, along with Al & Dirk and Juan. I enjoy their adventures!!

Good story, horrible grammar
I had to reread several passages because whoever copy edited the book completely dispensed with several grammar rules. It really ruined the story for me. I wish these publishers and authors would take more pride and care in what they do.

Ten Bucks for a Paperback?
Is the publisher serious?

I love Nevada Barr's mysteries. But at $10, it's gotten to the point where I will not pay $10 for a paperback book.

I'll buy it used, or borrow it from the library.

The publishing world needs to price books where people can afford them, or they will soon price print out of existence.

Maybe that's their goal, to turn us all into Kindle readers?

What a shame. There's something about the "printed" word that e-readers will never replace.

Disappointing.
Sloppily-written and sloppily-edited.Anna's usual backward emotional development is absolutely stunted this time around.I didn't find any of it believable, especially her love for her husband.Worst of all, this novel did not describe or evoke the wild beauty of the park, in the way that was so enjoyable in other Anna Pigeon novels.Ms. Barr phoned this one in. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (83)

Burned
I have read the entire Anna Pigeon series, and I found this latest book to be somewhat disappointing. In her earlier books, Nevada Barr sets the story in a National Park and the features of that park are as important to the story as the outdoors skills Anna Pigeon brings to solving the mystery. Even Liberty Falling was confined to Ellis Island and did not turn into a chase through the streets of Manhattan. While Burn is a rousing good read, it could have featured any of a number of detectives in the lead role. I hope the author will bring Anna back to her natural habitat for the next book.

enter with caution
I am a big Nevada Barr fan. But this book is more then shocking, though well written it is actually repugnant. Even though Anna Pigeon is in it, it is not a Anna Pigeon book.

Horrible!
I love all of Nevada Barr's early novels.The past couple haven't been very good but I was looking forward to a new one.I read the reviews and decided I could deal with the disturbing material.I never got that far.I had to stop reading about 2/3 of the way through.I couldn't bring myself to care about even one of the characters.It was slow and uninteresting.I finally decided to stop wasting my time and started a new book.It's too bad, maybe the next one will be better.

Not how I remember earlier Nevada Barr stories
Disappointing.Dark.Bleak.Over-worded to the point of being confusing at times. I read up to about page 130 and then couldn't take it anymore. Finished the last two chapters to know the conclusion.

I've always looked forward to Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series but lately, not so much.

Hideous
This will be the first Nevada Barr novel I won't finish.I'm on page 75 and disgusted beyond endurance.As Anna's sister would tell Ms. Barr, there are meds for the problems you have.No more for me. ... Read more

Product Description
Anna Pigeon takes a job as a park ranger looking for peace in the wilderness-but finds murder instead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

anna pigeon
We do not like how she writes. It's hard to follow. It's as if she is trying to impress you with her big words. Most fiction readers do not want to lug around a dictionary when they read their fiction. We won't buy another of her books.

Reviewed by Lois of Adelaide, Australia.
This is the first in a great mystery series by Nevada Barr featuring park ranger Anna Pigeon. I highly recommend the entire series (where are the rest, Kindle?).Well written gripping mysteries by a writer with intimate knowledge of the wonderful national parks in which her stories are set.Enjoy!

First in a successful series
Having read most of the Anna Pigeon series, I did not realize that this was the first until reading some of the review material preparatory to writing this. I was deluded, first, because I had not realized that the pattern of having the heroine about the most physically abused leading character in the genre, had begun from the beginning. If she was 39 when this took place, as is mentioned, it is remarkable that she is still alive today given the terrible beating her body took here and in every succeeding book. What a remarkable specimen. Second, it is mentioned that she has come from New York City wherein she had some bad experiences. Without revealing anything, it can be said, as regular readers, who also are not reading in chronological order know, she later returns to that city for further park rangering in which she is once more given much to endure.
As to this book, it is a good start and lays down various aspects of the heroines character which make her an interesting example of the modern woman outdoing the men in her chosen profession, while at the same time showing that she is all-woman (with the aid of her psychiatrist sister at the other end of the phone) and some available man who finds her excitingly feminine despite her job. She is also, of course, highly sensitive to environmental issues and completely committed to Nature, in all its non-human forms. She is ready to kill a man but not an innocent animal. The latter is the fundamental problem that sets up this story: a park ranger is found apparently the victim of a mountain lion in the national park to which Anna is assigned. To Anna, theattribution of "murderer" to a lion, which requires that it receive the death sentence, is uncalled for, something is just not right about it. To kill an animal, whether guilty or innocent is unfair; to kill a random animal, as has to be done given the lack of identification of a particular guilty one, is too human, that is, inhumane.
From that starting point, other deaths ensue, Anna herself faces death more than once, and only she is motivated to pursue the issue. Meanwhile, as in all the books, we are enmeshed in the intricacies of her continuing self-analysis, doubts, commitments, loves and love-deprivations. In this book, we are also treated to a brief episode of doubt as to whether or not she is actually more attuned to a female than male sexual partner, love partner, just plain partner. This issue she lays before her sister as she does other crises of self.
One's reaction to the totality of this, and other of her books, will be, in part, influenced by the degree to which one's commitments are within a comfort range of the heroines. Similarly, ones interest will be impacted by the degree one likes a book with a steady stream of consciousness monologue by the lead character. None of Watson vis-a-vis Holmes or Hastings vis-a-vis Poirot. It is all Anna vis-a-vis Anna.
At any rate, I think the average reader will find a sufficiency of action, mystery and characterization, to keep her or him reading to the end with a degree of involvement sufficient to make it an entertaining enterprise.

Beginning of a great series!
After a friend steered me to the Nevada Barr series featuring Anna Pigeon, this book definitely got me hooked and I can't wait to read all the books in the series. I actually read Track of the Cat in paperback (it was a gift) and have a couple others in paperback and audible form (just got my Kindle a couple weeks ago, so will be reading the remainder of the series on it!)

Even though I tend to read a lot of light hearted fiction, Barr's mysteries draw me in and keep my attention, making it hard to put the book down.I like the descriptive passages that cover the physical environments of the national parks, and the pasages that cover the emotional and mental environments of the characters.Being a fan of national parks, the settings of Anna Pigeon's experiences are more than interesting to me. I have gotten my brother and his wife hooked on the series, too!

[...] - this is Nevada Barr's website and where I got the following list of her Anna Pigeon books.She has also written 3 other books (Bittersweet, 1984; Seeking Enlightenment . . .Hat by Hat, 2003; 13 1/2, 2009; and contributed to a 5th (Deadly Housewives, 2006) that is a collection of short stories by Nevada Barr and many other well known authors.The website is rather neat if you have time to check it out.

1)1993: Track of the Cat (Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas)
2)1994: A Superior Death (Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, Michigan)
3)1995: Ill Wind (Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado)
4)1996: Firestorm (Lassen Volcanic National Park)
5)1997: Endangered Species (Cumberland Island National Seashore of the coast of Georgia)
6)1998: Blind Descent (Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico)
7)1999: Liberty Falling (Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Monuments in New York City)
8)2000: Deep South (Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi)
9)2001: Blood Lure (Glacier/Waterton National Peace Park in Montana)
10) 2002: Hunting Season (Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi)
11) 2003: Flashback (Dry Tortugas National Park, a grouping of tiny islands 70 miles off Key West) Diana - paperback
12) 2004: High Country (Yosemite National Park in California)
13) 2005: Hard Truth (Rocky Mountain's National Park, Colorado) (14) 2008: Winter Study (Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, Michigan)
15) 2009: Borderline (Big Bend National Park in Texas)

1st in series
1993 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, 1994 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, Finalist 1994 Macavity Award for Best First Novel. Great start for a great series. They get better and better and you learn a little about some of America's national parks. ... Read more

Product Description
Unpleasant things are going on in an exclusive school for girls - things like murder!Late one night, two teachers investigate a mysterious flashing light in the sports pavilion, while the rest of the school sleeps. There, among the lacrosse sticks, they stumble upon the body of the unpopular games mistress -- shot through the heart from point blank range.The school is thrown into chaos when the 'cat' strikes again. Unfortunately, schoolgirl Julia Upjohn knows too much. In particular, she knows that without Hercule Poirot's help, she will be the next victim! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Overwhelming list of characters but interesting mystery
Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie
Black Dog & Leventhal, 1959
297 pages
Hercule Poirot Mystery
4/5 stars

Summary: Meadowbank School is an outstanding school for young girls which is suddenly rocked by the murder of the new games mistress.Was she too curious for her own good?Does it have some connection to the recent revolution in a Near East country? (Hint: yes)Never fear: Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells are on the case.

Thoughts: The book opens with a four page list of the characters, which I read hoping to get set for reading this.Instead it overwhelmed me and I had to just keep reading in order to be able to follow it.There are a lot of characters, mostly female because the actions takes place at a fine girls' school.The opening is very confusing as it shifts from Meadowbank to that Near East country to two females who connect both places. Headmistress Miss Bulstrode of course made me think of Millicent Bulstrode of Slytherin but luckily she's a much nicer person and Eileen Rich is consistently described as ugly although I cannot fathom why that's relevant to the story.

There seem to be long passages where nothing is really happening.I found it easy to read and I was motivated to finish it.Interestingly Poirot doesn't show up until basically two-thirds of the way through the book.Yet he solves it fairly easily by picking up on a few strands.I didn't solve the murder (er murders) but I don't mind.I should have noticed something was up about that person but I didn't connect it fast enough. I also thought there was going to be a romance (I like the little romances Christie sometimes throws in) but I was wrong.

Overall: A fine outing although somewhat confusing and less engaging than Christie's best.Do not begin your exploration of Christie with this.

Belgian detective Hercule Poiret uses his little white cells to stop the murder, kidnapping and suspense at an exclusive school
Cat Among the Pigeons is an Agatha Christie murder mystery. The novel opens in the Royal Palace of Ramat. A politcal coup is in place against Prince Ali Yusef. Ali is a young and democratic leader of the land. His aide
Englishman Bob Rawlinson and Ali plan to flee the country in a plane. Prior to this flight, Bob hides a bag containing priceless jewels in his sister Joan Sutcliffe's room in the hotel. Joan and her daughter Jennifer were visiting Ramat as tourists. Bob and Yusef are killed when their plane crashes. Where are the jewels?
The plot then revolves around the events at the exclusive Meadowbank School for young ladies. The school was founded by the formidable Miss Bulstrode. Three persons are murdered at the school as the murderer wishes to locate the hidden jewels. The police are unable to solve the crimes until Hercule Poiret steps in to unweave all the strings in this complex thriller.
A fun read as Agatha Christie's brilliant mind leads her readers through a complicated maze until the solution of the mystery is made manifest by Poiret. An excellent Christie!

First one is great
This is the first Agatha Christie I have read after my class was required to read a mystery novel written by one of the authors during the Golden Age of Mystery. I have to say, I was impressed. It was a little slow at the start, but it is to be expected in most of her books. Once the first murder occurs, though, things pick up pretty fast. This takes place in one of the best girls' schools. But what happens when the best girls' school has a murder? Is it the best?
See if you can find out who the killer is!

Not One of Her Best
A longer novel than usual for Christie, "Cat Among the Pigeons" deals with international intrigue at an exclusive English girls' school. A coup in the Middle East triggers off a deadly search for missing jewels. Action converges on the school. The Special Branch and local police try to solve the string of murders among the schoolmistresses, but it takes Hercule Poirot's little grey cells to see through the disguises and subterfuge and bring all the loose ends together. The plot seemed flimsy at times and some of the attitudes expressed in the novel made it appear dated in the extreme. For a better Agatha Christie set partly in the Middle East, I would recommend They Came To Bagdad.

Great Book
I absolutly loved this book.Although Hercule Poirot doesn't come in untill closer to the end of the book, this is in my oppinion one of the best Agatha Cristie's and it will keep you guessing to the last page. ... Read more

Product Description
A raging forest fire in California's Lassen Volcanic National Park traps exhausted firefighters, including Ranger Anna Pigeon, in its midst. Afterward, Anna finds two from her group have been killed. One a victim of the flames. The other, stabbed through the heart. Now, as a rampaging winter storm descends, cutting the survivors off from civilization, Anna must uncover the murderer in their midst.Amazon.com Review
A raging fire in a national park seems an unlikely setting for amurder, but that's exactly the circumstances that crime-fighting park rangerand medic Anna Pigeon confronts in this mystery thriller. A suspicious firebreaks loose in Northern California's Lassen Volcanic Park and Pigeon assistsin battling the blaze and treating the wounds of other fire fighters. As ifthat's not enough, Pigeon finds herself without food and water trapped with agroup of fire fighters, one of whom is a murderer. She tries to figure outwho the culprit is before he, or the weather, strikes again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

A good read
I enjoyed reading Firestorm by Nevada Barr. In keeping with other Barr novels, it gives the reader information about the locale and the work (in this case, of firefighters). Plus, Anna Pigeon is an intriguing character, and there are some surprises.

Mount Lassen?
I'm a fan of the Anna Pigeon series, in part because of the settings. Firestorm was the first of Barr's books set in a park I'm familiar with - I climbed Mt. Lassen when I was 12 and, although I live in WV now, I revisited the park as recently as 2008. I would have been there last summer (09) except that a forest fire (sound familiar?) diverted me away from the park entrance.

That being said, you can understand why I was looking forward to Firestorm. Unfortunately, the story didn't take advantage of the setting; in fact, the connection between the story and Lassen NP was minimal. Yes, a hot spring is part of the plot, but the various thermal features aren't what set Lassen apart. To tell the truth, the story - exactly as it was written - could be shifted to Yellowstone without only minimal editorial adjustments. So I was disappointed, but not so much that I've abandoned Anna Pigeon. In fact, I just started reading Endangered Spicies tonight.

great read
Firestorm is a great mystery. If you like the other Anna Pigeon novels, you'll like this one. It's a typical Barr novel with lots of detail and humor mixed in. Anna is working as an EMT on a wildfire.When they the fire unexpectedly goes wild, Anna and her group are caught out with just their emergency shelters. When the fire passes, one of the group is found knifed in the back. Anna must assume any of the survivors is the murderer. During the wait for rescue, she tries to figure out who it was without getting killed herself. Very entertaining and a good study of human behavior under stress.

Good except for the fatist remarks
I find the Anna Pigeon series to be an enjoyable read.I just wish Nevada Barr would let go of her fatist attitudes. It is disappointing that an author who espouses acceptance of people's differences, whether that be homosexuality, gender identity, recreational drug use, nudity, marriage, politics, and education...everything except weight.It is quite unpleasant to be reading a mystery novel and suddenly find the author injecting their bias against a person's weight.Invariably these are characters that have only brief roles in the story--an anonymous park visitor, usually.Mentioning their weight adds nothing to the story.And it only serves to highlight that the main character, Anna Pigeon, seems to associate only with thin people. This is not an admirable quality in either a main character or in an author.

Interesting Audiobook
I can't tell you whether or not this was a page turner, seeing as I've only heard the book read to me by Barbara Rosenblat.I can tell you that the audiobook is great.Rosenblat's voice captures the essence of the character very nicely.

I'll admit this isn't the most interesting of the Anna Pigeon stories I've heard, but it was still decent.I think I might have liked it less if reading b/c there are a LOT of descriptions to wade through.What that means for the story is a less than intricate plot.Still, if you like the Anna Pigeon series as a whole, you will probably enjoy this installment.If you're a newcomer who's disappointed by this story, try another Anna P story... there are some others with more intriguing plotlines and faster action. ... Read more

Product Description
"All is not well in grizzly country...Barr's red herrings and sly twists culminate in one huge payoff." (Entertainment Weekly)

Amazon.com Review
Park ranger Anna Pigeon, the fortyish heroine of Barr's popular series,is back, tracking grizzlies through the unforgiving landscape ofGlacier National Park as part of a scientific investigation that'soutlined with more detail than anyone who's not totally fascinated bythese awesome animals will care about. In fact, the description ofwhat actually goes into the lures set to attract the bears so they canbe tagged and counted is guaranteed to rumble the strongest stomach--butthat's just the back story in this newest Pigeon adventure. When themutilated body of the stepmother of one of the bear trackers turns up in aremote corner of the park, and it becomes clear that she met death at thehands of a human rather than the claws of a grizzly, Anna goes on the hunt for the killer.

Barr's strength is in depicting the natural surroundings in which herheroine finds inspiration, solace, and comfort, and she limns thegorgeous landscape of Glacier with consummate skill. But her plottingleaves much to be desired, and when she finally reveals the killer'sidentity, motivation, and especially his accomplice, the discriminatingreader may be tempted to throw this book at the nearestteddy bear. The trick ending is too much to stomach, unless you're agrizzly who'll eat (almost) anything. Up to that point, however,there's much to appeal to Barr's fans: another beautifully drawnportrait of a piece of America's vanishing wilderness and a few hoursin the company of an appealingly cranky heroine whose appreciation of itknows no bounds. --Jane Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (59)

Not up to Barr's usual standards
I have enjoyed all of the books in Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series that I have read, including this one.I love the Glacier/Waterton area, but I waited several years after this book came out before I got around to reading it.I found the book to be well written and a real "page-turner."In this story, Ranger Anna Pigeon is temporarily assigned to work on a grizzly bear DNA project in Glacier National Park.The parts of the book focusing on that project are interesting and based on fact.Of course, the project soon becomes secondary to the murder that needs to be solved.

The murder and its subsequent investigation are, unfortunately, the weak points of this book.A good mystery is usually one which the reader believes could happen in real life.I never got that feeling here.The characters, both human and animal, do not behave as a reasonable human or animal would in real life.The mystery is solved by the end of the book, but its solution was neither believable nor satisfying.So, while I enjoyed reading the book, I don't recommend it very highly - unless you want to learn about ursine DNA research.

Disappointed at the change in the series
I was an avid fan of the Anna Pigeon series, as I really enjoyed the combination of the national park and wilderness, combined with mystery and a strong female character. The early books in the series, particularly "Track of the Cat" and "Firestorm" were outstanding, with a great constrast between the outdoor experience and being in nature, and the tension in the story. "Blind Descent" remains one of the most atmospheric books I've ever read (try visiting a cave as part of a tour in a national park after reading this, and not getting a little bit freaked out about being left in the dark underground!).

However, later books in the series, such as "Hunting Season", "Blood Lure", etc, introduced a level of violence, horror, macabre and strange "paranormal" incidents, that frankly, I had not expected as part of the "Anna Pigeon experience (i.e. wilderness, national parks)", and certainly NOT what I was interested in reading.

I tried reading them, but was too horrified at this latest element of violence that seemed to be in each new book. Maybe I am a little squeamish, but I thought it excessive, and this has stopped me reading Nevada Barr, which in itself, is a disappointment.

Bloody Good
THE SETUP
Anna Pigeon is on temporary duty in Glacier National Park, assisting Joan Rand with a grizzly bear study.They are attached by a grizzly in their tent, but unharmed, however, teenage volunteer assistant Rory Van Slyke is missing.He is found several days later, but in the meantime, his stepmother is found killed in the area.

CRITIQUE
Anna seems a little slow picking up clues, and the potential confusion between the two teenage boys seems unnecessary.It seems a little odd to me how Jeff manages to keep in touch via computer while in the back country---notebook computer batteries are very limited.The plot relies a little too much on unlikely coincidences.

THE VERDICT
Even with the caveats, this is one of the very best Barr novels, and that is saying a great deal. The mystery is intriguing and is uncovered at just the right pace. Anna's self-effacing humor is delightful.Several seemingly independent plotlines converge with a crash. The imagery and characterization are brilliantly vivid. For the reflective reader, Anna's incisive mussing will stay with you for years. This is my third reading, and it just gets better. Buy a hardcover

Ending a Bit Fanciful but Still a Fun Story
First, I have not read the book, but I have heard the story (so I can't comment on the presence or absence of mistakes).Second, I liked the story, but I'm a big fan of happy endings.Third, science fiction and fantasy are my normal fare, so an ending that is a lot fanciful and convenient doesn't really throw me.Fourth, Barbara Rosenblat did a lovely job narrating the story.

This is my first Anna Pigeon story, and I will definitely return for more.I found the descriptions to be adequate, and I appreciated the little bits of humor stuffed in.The last few sentences were very nicely put.Definitely a worthwhile story to hear.

Blood Lure
I personally thought that this was one of Nevada Barr's very best books.It is informative and intertaining at the same time; with some amusing content.I highly recommend this one to any Barr reader, you cant go wrong. ... Read more

Product Description
Below the frigid waters of Lake Superior lies a sunken 1927 wreck-the final resting place of its five victims. But when divers surface with a tale of seeing a sixth body, Anna Pigeon must break the Great Lake's grip on its icy secrets... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

Superior
"Superior Death" is set in Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.As with any Nevada Barr novel, it is essential to remember that it is the journey, not the destination, which is important.Don't expect a typical formula mystery.

CHARACTERS
The novel is mostly the characters, which however, can be hard to remember at first.The following should help:50-ish NPS Ranger Anna Pigeon is the protagonist.Other significant characters are District Ranger Ralph Pitcher, Chief Ranger Lucas Vegas, NPS Ranger Scotty Butcus (and his wife Donna).NPS naturalists include flaky hippie-types Tinker and Damian Cogdens-Clark, and Jo (who marries diver Denny Castle).With twins Holly and Hawk Bradshaw, Denny runs a dive boat.Jim Tatinger is the NPS "underwater resources specialist", which in this case primarily means the wrecks.The NPS hotel is run by (former winery manager) Patience Bitner with the help of her ca 13-year old daughter Cary.Anna Pigeon's lesbian friend Christina Waters and daughter Alison live on the mainland.

THE SETUP
It is hard to specify a setup.Most of the first half of the novel is devoted to describing the setting, introducing the characters, and setting up a number of major and minor mysteries.Most of the minor mysteries are technically red herrings, but are valid and interesting mysteries on their own.The most significant event/mystery is the death of Denny Castle, who is found in a captain's uniform on a very deep dangerous wreck.Donna Butcus (to whom Denny was apparently devoted) disappears.Scotty's (Donna's husband) explanation of Donna's disappearance turns out to be a lie.Jo's boat is found abandoned against a shore.Cary is running around with someone behind her mother's back.Anna intercepts a boat running without lights at night, which initially attempts to run, captained by Tatinger.Tinker and Damian are being blackmailed by somebody.

COMMENTS
Although not rigorously structured as a traditional action novel nor a mystery novel, "Superior Death" contains plenty of action and mysteries.However, the primary appeal is the characters and the setting, particularly the character of Anna Pigeon who has a marvelous droll irreverent sense of humor.

Barr is marvelously skilled creating vivid descriptions of the people and the natural environment, albeit exquisitely subtly.No solution to any mystery comes as a great surprise.Barr drops hints which go almost unnoticed.The reader has the satisfaction, regarding almost any and all of the mysteries, of being able to say "I suspected that", and yet still be surprised.

THE VERDICT
Superior

Death in the Depths
National Park Ranger Anna Pigeon has been reassigned to Lake Superior in Michigan. This is quite a change of scenery for her, having spent most of her career in desert settings. Among the shipwrecks in the lake is the Kamloops, a ship that sunk in 1927 with 5 sailors still aboard. Things begin to get interesting when a pair of recreational divers comments that one of the bodies looks so good, it's as if the person died just yesterday. When one of the locals turns up missing, Anna hopes the extra body with the wreck isn't his but unfortunately it is. Now Anna must determine who the killer is and why, not knowing that she could be walking into danger herself.

A Superior Death by Nevada Barr is the second entry in the popular Anna Pigeon series. This time the action takes place on Lake Superior in Michigan. I believe that part of the success of this series is that Barr periodically implements a change of scenery, which opens up new and fresh plot options.As a Federal employee myself, I can relate to the bureaucracy within which she works. Barr writes in a way that lets us get to know Anna and the assortment of colorful characters she lives and works with. This series is always an enjoyable read and I look forward to catching up on the rest of the series and look forward to hearing more from Anna Pigeon. I can heartily recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery without gore or tedious details.

A Superior Mystery!
I loved the characters.Anna Pigeon is still a trip; her shrink sister, Molly, likewise.

There's a lot of boating and scuba diving in this book.The mystery and characterizations were fun.Barr's characters are quirky, wierd, and very believable.Anna's still drinking and I wouldn't be surprised if she found herself in AA by the time this series ends.

I recommend this along with all the books in Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series.

nevada barr
I HAVE READ EVERYONE OF NEVADA BARR'S BOOKS.CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE AND ALWAYS DREAD THE ENDING.SHE IS THE BEST!

A Superior Death
A Superior Death by Nevada Barr is the second in her Anna Pigeon series. Anna has transferred reluctantly from Texas to Lake Superior where it is too cold and too wet for her tastes but she's making her best effort to make a new life for herself as a ranger here along the "frigid waters." Just as she's still learning the different cliques in and around the islands that make up the park, one of the locals is found buried in a historical captain's uniform in a 1927 wreck at the bottom of the lake.

I was reading A Superior Death at the same time as two other shipwreck stories, The Gulls of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Tres Seymour (about the most famous sunk ship in Lake Superior) and Treasure by Clive Cussler. When taken with The Ghost of Lizard Light by Elmira Woodruff, it was a month full of shipwrecks and deaths at sea.

When I started A Superior Death I was doubtful that the story would pull me in as much as Track of the Cathad with its strong descriptions of the Texas landscape. I shouldn't have worried. Barr's depiction of Lake Superior's environment above and below the surface chilled me to the bone.

Barr populates A Superior Death with a cast of interesting characters who are well enough realized that their quirks seem believable. As with Track of the Cat, the mystery was complex enough to keep me guessing until the end.

I have Ill Wind, the third in the series on my shelf and will be reading it soon. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (33)

Not a "How-To" book, but a good introduction and fun read.
I enjoyed Blechman's style of writing.Non-fiction that feels like a novel.On page 3 he writes, "These were my firts steps into the pigeon universe and its shaggy patchwork of obsessive subcultures."Blechman's POV is that of an outsider like myself so it easy to imagine your are learning along side the author.

Great first pigion book.Now I feel ready to tackle the nuts and bolts of pigeon keeping from other sources. I'll read this book again to pin point the many referances. Would have loved a bibliography.

This book is as much about people, history and culture as it is about pigeons.It is an entertaining introduction to the rock dove's role in war, food, racing, sport shooting and fancy pigeon shows.

A different look at what you see everyday
This book is the 'extra' reading for my Ornithology class, and it's a nice break from the text.Written for the everyday non-scientist, the author explores many of the ways people and pigeons interact.There's some sad and a lot of glad, and some flat out strange.I wish there was more info on fancies, and on the effectiveness of non-lethal control - a great explanation and case is made at the very end but that's it.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this book, particularly to anyone who's interested in learning more about the bird we see everyday and never think about, or to anyone who finds the slightly off center worlds that exist within our society interesting.But if you don't get it, you should at least know the whole "60 diseases" thing isn't true!

I revered the book-and the pigeon
I was involved in pigeon racing for thirty-five years. I lived many of the stories in this book personaly.The author captures the unique people who love this incredible animal.Watching a lone pigeon land at his home after flying 600 miles in a day without stopping for food or water is unlike any other sight you could hope to enjoy.Yes,there are those who hate the pigeon,and the author lets them chime in.But after reading this book,I can't believe some of these "pigeon haters"won't take a different view of this magnificant creature.
I personaly emailed the author after reading this book to tell him how much I enjoyed it.Please take the time to read this book with an open mind.Enjoy a subject you never really knew about and see if you qualify as a someone who thinks this bird should be reviled or revered.

Good SIngle Topic Book
I was interested in pigeons before finding this book and heard the author giving an interview. It's an easy to consume narrative that takes us on a journey through the author's discovery of not only the birds but the people who love and hate them.

Worth your time. Everyone should know at least a little about an animal they see every day.

It didn't have the scientific punch of some other books I've read recently but had a nice approachable journalistic style that while maybe not as academic certainly made for a fun read.

If you are reading for a research project or to flesh out an academic paper maybe not the most fantastic source but will no doubt lead to them.

Well researched and put together.

Extremes
I work as a naturalist for a large environmental conservation organization, and pride myself on my knowledge of the natural world. Rock pigeons, as they're awkwardly known today, have always been a source of interest for me. In fact, I can honestly say that I've seen at least one pigeon every week for the last five years. My pile of birding checklists say so.

But I had no idea that Birmingham Rollers existed, and I had no clue that Mike Tyson was a pigeon fancier. I could not have told you that you could be walking in the park and see someone rolling pigeons backwards, or poaching them either. And I did not know that there were people who still shot them for sport.

The subtitle of the book is perfectly written. The text elicits both laughter and revulsion as the author runs from pigeon hotspot to pigeon hotspot in the United States, and finally to Europe. Pigeon defenders and pigeon killers rise and fall throughout the book, each with his or her own level of pigeon lunacy. ... Read more

Product Description
More than 150 titles in Barron’s Complete Pet Owner’s Manuals series offer basic advice and instruction on housing, feeding, protection against disease and parasites, and caring for pets of every imaginable kind. All books are heavily illustrated with color photos and instructive line art. Here is everything bird fanciers need to know about keeping pigeons, including feeding, housing, protection against parasites, general health care, and breeding. There is also information on various members of the pigeon family, and on breeding pigeons for racing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A great book!
This is a well-written, information-packed little book. I am a novice pigeon fancier and found a lot of answers to questions I had.Entertaining reading.I highly recommend it to anyone getting into this hobby.

It's ok...
Didn't go into the fancy breeds much.Most of the pix were illustrations, would have preferred photos of the real thing.Also didn't go into any of the various pigeon sports besides plain pigeon racing.There's got to be a better pij book out there.

Pigeons (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)
I had searched everywhere; even the Internet, to find information (articles and/or books) about keeping Pigeons as pets after I had rescued, fosterd and then later adopted a Pigeon that could no longer fly well enough to be released back into the wild after being severely injured by a speeding car, with very little result. Even the articles I could find after doing many serches on the Internet only provided generalizations about keeping and raising Pigeons, but did not provide the detailed information I needed about diet, husbandry and health issues. As a bird owner for some 20 years of different species of birds (parrots to doves) Keeping a pigeon was a new experience. I was thrilled to find this book - Pigeons (A Complete Owners Manual) on Amazon.com and even more thrilled when I was able to read and learn from it. This is positively the best book about keeping and rasing Pigeons any aviculturist could possess! It covers virtully everything from building a coop to diet, exercise, training and breeding Pigeons. It even includes chapters on health issues and what to look for in the event of a suspected illness. This book has taught me many, many interesting things about Pigeons the average "bird person" would not necessarily know, and has made the life of the Pigeon I saved...Chance...immesurably better bacause I purchased it. To anyone wanting to learn about keeping Pigeons for show, racing or just as pets, this book is a MUST read! Thanks Amazon.com for helping me and for the truly speedy service in sending the book I'd ordered.

Barron's Pigeon Guide
Barron's has since put out a newer, updated version of the 1980s book on pigeons.More color breed artwork as well as some good black and white drawings showing care, lofts, behavior of pigeons.A very good guide for the beginner or pigeon fancier of any age.While it does not cover detailed genetics or medical advice (check your avian vet for that information), it still has its place in every bird lover's library.

Pigeon Book
I got this book it has everything it said alot of information. Well worth the little i paid for it. ... Read more

Product Description
The crew's on holiday, and they turn their energies to mining for gold, aided by pigeon messengers Homer, Sophocles, and Sappho. The adventurers comb the nearby hills for a fabled lost claim, while being shadowed by a mysterious figure they dub "squashy hat." Undeterred by drought, sudden brushfires, and the continuing presence of Squashy Hat, the young prospectors persevere in their quest - with surprising results. Full of the dangers and dark adventures of old mines and forgotten claims, Pigeon Post has an irresistible appeal to the persistent explorer in every child.


"There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun in connection with a gold-mine. The ingenuity of this group of children is delightful and stimulating."
The Times Literary Supplement ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

More fun and adventure
The summer after the snowy adventures in WINTER HOLIDAY and the D's learning to sail in COOT CLUB, the three sets of children (the Swallows, the Amazons, and the D's) converge on the lake again for their vacation.(By the chronology of the series, it's summer of 1932.)

However, there's complications.Only one boat, so they can't all sail.Camping is difficult because Mrs. Blackett is distracted with redecorating, and also because it's an especially dry summer there and the locals are paranoid of fires.

Making the best of it, they hear rumors of gold in them thar hills from a local miner, and decide to prospect themselves while Uncle Jim is on his way back from a failed mining expedition in South America.They soon find a lanky stranger, dubbed "Squashy Hat," seems to be prospecting himself, and they view him as a dangerous competitor.

The kids face all sorts of challenges, from camping near a farm whose owner won't let them cook for themselves and insists they sleep near the house....to dealing with the pigeons of the title that keep them in touch with the Amazon's mum....to finding the possible gold mine....to very real dangers, including a cave-in in an abandoned mine to a runaway brush fire.

All the usual delights of the S&A series are here...the joys of camping and exploring, added to the information about pigeons (and Dick's invention of an alarm) and information about prospecting and mining (which few kids are likely to try today, but you never know if there's a junior metallurgist lurking in your brood).Also some environmental content in the snarky view of tourists who carelessly start a fire that nearly kills the heroes.

Good fun, might inspire your younguns.Heck, it's inspired this adult to investigate a gold mine said to be nearby....

Next in the series:WE DIDN'T MEAN TO GO TO SEA.

The ultimate volume of theseries
This was the first of Ransome's "Swallows & Amazons" series that I ever read, and it's still my favorite.We find the Swallows (the four Walkers), the Amazons (Captain Nancy Blackett and sister-Mate Peggy), and the D's (Dick and Dorothea Callum) headquartering at Beckfoot, the old Blackett house, while impatiently waiting for Captain Flint (the Amazons' Uncle Jim) to return from South America."His mine wasn't any good," says Nancy, and she decides to fill in the time by searching for gold up on the high fells above the lake, following hints given by Slater Bob, a local miner.Complicating the program is the distance from Beckfoot to the target area and the fact that the Lake Country is seeing its driest summer in memory--and the presence of the mysterious lanky man the explorers call "Squashy Hat," who seems to be looking for the same thing they are.The book takes its title from the three homing pigeons the Blacketts own and resolve to use to keep Mrs. Blackett informed of their adventures while they camp nearer to the moors.The countryside is splendidly drawn, the children are unique individuals well sketched, their adventures and inventions are so thoroughly described that an American child could probably duplicate them, and there are thrills galore when the fells catch fire.What's more, the eight actually find...but that would be telling!Read it for yourself and find out.

Like most children's books of its period, this one is equally enjoyable by adults and would make a splendid family read-aloud.Highly recommended.

A book to fire the imagination of children of all ages
In this sixth `S & A' adventure, summer has come once more, and the Swallows are back in the Lake District, together with the two D's, on another holiday with their boating friends, the Amazon pirates. This time, the children desert the lake and take instead to the High Topps, prospecting for gold.

While adult readers will be unable to do other than admire the children's enthusiasm (sufficiently infectious to draw most young readers into it wholesale), they will probably have a feeling of impending disaster from quite early on, in this book. The Amazons' impetuous natures, combined with the others' general inexperience and limited knowledge of mining and its chemistry, lead them all (except, perhaps, the more sensible Susan!) into more scrapes, as well as rather more dangerous situations, than usual.

This leads to a different (but no less absorbing) desire to keep reading this tale than that likely to affect the more naïve younger reader. Both young and old are, nevertheless, likely to spend much of the time on tenterhooks during this book, as the young prospectors explore old mine workings, try their hand at charcoal burning and build and operate a blast furnace in their camp, out on the tinder-dry fells! For once, one can only feel something of a sense of relief that times have changed since 1936, when this was written! One can't help feeling - and being grateful for the fact - that modern children would not be terribly interested in repeating some of the activities undertaken here.

In summary, then, "Pigeon Post" is every bit as exciting (and at times far more nerve-wracking) and educational as the other books in this series: another winner from Arthur Ransome.

Swallows and Amazons at their best!
Undoubtedly the best of Arthur Ransome's 10 book Swallows and Amazons series.Suspense, intruige and natural disasters keep children and adults alike on their toes throughout.The plausibility of the story adds anexciting dimension to the plot. Ransome's superb ability to developdistinct personalities for his characters is one of the most enjoyableaspects of his writing, and Pigeon Post is perhaps his best example ofthis.

8 children go searching for gold, but they have competition
The Swallows, Amazons and D's have regrouped and are now looking for goldin the high hills west of Mrs. Blackett's farm. But with the drought dryingup all the water from possible camp sites, fires occuring all the time anda rival gold miner on the high hills it isn't going to be easy. Anothermasterpeice from Authur Ransome and I recommend it for any child who'sdreamed of having adventures. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Very informative
As a newbie to racing homing pigeons, I found this book very informative and helpful to me. There really isn't a whole lot of literature on the subject and this has to be the best.

Getting started in pigeon racing
I am just getting started in pigeon racing and as I do with a hobby, I purchase as many books on the subject as I can. This book stands out as the most concise and complete overview of the hobby covering everthing from loft design and getting your first birds to training and racing strategies. I only held back the fifth star because of its predominantly British leaning with some info not applicable to racing in the USA. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in the hobby.

Racing Pigeons
I'm very happy about this book and I'll expect that it will a lot usefull for me. Thanks for your attention .

Marcus

Pigeons Are Valuable Assets.
The origins of the modern-day racing pigeon can be traced thousands of years.There were records and carvings of Rock Doves dating from 3,000 B.C.Even Noah took aboard his Ark two doves.They are the ancestors of today's pigeons, the lovely, bright gentle birds.

Throughout history, the pigeon had been used by Asian And European civilizations as a speedy and reliable carrier of messages.They were used during the war by the British.

When the first marathon runner gained victory in the Olympic Games at Pisa in AD230, he sent the new home via his hen bired (a pigeon), which he had taken with him. This book is illustrated throughout and the subject of training pigeons, both yound and old, is explained in depth.

Racing Pigeons by David Glover
This is a good book with good information.The book was received in excellent condition (new) and in a very timely manner. ... Read more