Thor Hansen to Speak on “Feathers”

Did you know?

• The Aztec emperor Montezuma demanded feathers as tithes from vassal kingdoms and built a palatial aviary with thousands of live birds cared for by three hundred full-time servants?
• A mountain climber would have to wear eleven pairs of polypropylene long johns to achieve the same heat retention as one down-filled expedition jacket?
• The most valuable cargo on the Titanic was feathers. The ship contained more than 40 cases of fine plumes, worth more than $2.3 million in today’s currency?

These and other fascinating insights will be offered by Thor Hanson will when he reads from his book  Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle at Griffin Bay Books, Friday Harbor, on Thursday evening, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.

In Feathers, published June 1 by Basic Books, Hanson “introduces readers to the scientists who are even now making new discoveries about the evolution and properties of feathers, as well as many of the people behind the feathers in our down quilts and parkas, on the heads of Las Vegas showgirls, and even in couture fashion.

“Hanson closes with a look at what’s next in the evolution of feathers.”

Publishers Weekly described Hanson’s book as follows:

“Conservation biologist Hanson takes readers on a wide-ranging tour of the world of feathers, from Las Vegas revues, whose performers wear thousands of dollars’ worth (and they’re heavier than you think), to the world of fly fishing, where unscrupulous collectors illegally seek out rare feathers for their lures…. Readers from science buffs to those interested in cultural history will find this a worthwhile afternoon’s read.”

Seattle’s Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, said “If you feel a sudden need to read about dinosaurs, fly-fishing, muttonbirds, and showgirls, this is your book! Absolutely fascinating history, and a terrific read, Feathers is another Thor Hanson classic!”

Thor Hanson works as a conservation biologist and has studied Central American trees and songbirds, nest predation in Tanzania, and the grisly feeding habits of African vultures. He is a Switzer Environmental Fellow and a member of the Human Ecosystems Study Group. Hanson’s first book, The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda, won the 2008 USA Book News Award for nature writing.

Thanks to Barb Jensen.