2012 Pacific Northwest Book Award winner Thor Hanson has been awarded a 2013 John Burroughs Medal for Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle. One of the jurors described Feathers as, “great natural history with intense focus and telescopic detail. It soars through an engaging blend of history, archaeology, animal behavior, art, physics, and conservation. Uplifting, swift, learned, and fun.” Clearly, the Burroughs committed read the same book as last year’s PNBA Awards Committee.
The Buroughs award has been given annually since 1926 to “books that combine scientific accuracy, firsthand fieldwork, and excellent natural history writing.” Hanson joins a roster of honorees that includes John McPhee, Peter Matthiessen, Ann Zwinger, Barry Lopez David Quammen, Robert Michael Pyle, Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson!
Thor Hanson is a conservation biologist and Northwest native. He lives with his family on San Juan Island, WA. Buy Feathers from his hometown shop, Griffin Bay Bookstore.
Wonderful book, wonderful choice!