TITLE: Church of Birds
AUTHOR: Ben H. Gagnon
PUBLISHER: Moon Books
ISBN: 978-1803411224
PODCAST EPISODE: Coming soon
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
Church of Birds: An Eco-History of Myth and Religion releases this year courtesy of Moon Books. This is award-winning journalist, documentary producer, and novelist Ben H. Gagnon’s first non-fiction book. Gagnon’s enthusiasm for the subject abounds, and the amount of research done for the book is thoroughly impressive. While the book has been meticulously researched, the information is laid out in an accessible manner. It is difficult to imagine readers not coming away from the book sharing his reverence for birds’ proper place in history.
Gagnon takes the reader on a journey from the dawn of human history to modern day. He explains the intriguing connections found between modern humans, Neanderthals, and the mysterious Denisovans. While it is easy to imagine such history getting into some questionable territory, he shuts down speculation before it can arise – quick to highlight the problems with the Ancient Alien Theory, as well as common beliefs about widespread interspecies violence between ancient hominins.
Gagnon is on the cutting edge of modern research, taking new findings and tracing them to their logical conclusion: birds had a far greater effect upon human development than previously realized. With increasing focus on the field of ornithology, evidence for the theory that human language developed through exposure to birdsong continues to mount, as does evidence that birdsong itself conforms to strict grammatical rules. Human settlements are almost always found where bird flyways converge, and are also often alongside important religious sites. Where birds go, life follows in the form of wetlands, rich soil, and unrivalled biodiversity.
The Wheel of the Year provides further support for Gagnon’s theory. Festivals coincide with bird migrations, and human migrations follow the same aforementioned flyways. Moreover, none of these discoveries were especially hidden – just take a look at the way birds were depicted in folklore and religious texts. Gagnon offers sources from across the globe, painting a picture of birds as a pure symbol of regeneration and daring to propose a prehistoric religion that could have been a point of contact between ancient hominins.
Church of Birds is an important text that deserves widespread praise, readership, and scholarly discussion. At a time when bird populations across the globe are experiencing sharp decline, it is important to recognize the impact that they have had upon humanity, and to learn what we can do in turn to ensure their continued existence. Protecting birds protects the Earth’s ecosystem which in turn protects us. By recognizing and respecting birds’ place within our folklore, religion, and history, perhaps we can ensure their continued existence well into the future.
AUTHOR: Ben H. Gagnon
PUBLISHER: Moon Books
ISBN: 978-1803411224
PODCAST EPISODE: Coming soon
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
Church of Birds: An Eco-History of Myth and Religion releases this year courtesy of Moon Books. This is award-winning journalist, documentary producer, and novelist Ben H. Gagnon’s first non-fiction book. Gagnon’s enthusiasm for the subject abounds, and the amount of research done for the book is thoroughly impressive. While the book has been meticulously researched, the information is laid out in an accessible manner. It is difficult to imagine readers not coming away from the book sharing his reverence for birds’ proper place in history.
Gagnon takes the reader on a journey from the dawn of human history to modern day. He explains the intriguing connections found between modern humans, Neanderthals, and the mysterious Denisovans. While it is easy to imagine such history getting into some questionable territory, he shuts down speculation before it can arise – quick to highlight the problems with the Ancient Alien Theory, as well as common beliefs about widespread interspecies violence between ancient hominins.
Gagnon is on the cutting edge of modern research, taking new findings and tracing them to their logical conclusion: birds had a far greater effect upon human development than previously realized. With increasing focus on the field of ornithology, evidence for the theory that human language developed through exposure to birdsong continues to mount, as does evidence that birdsong itself conforms to strict grammatical rules. Human settlements are almost always found where bird flyways converge, and are also often alongside important religious sites. Where birds go, life follows in the form of wetlands, rich soil, and unrivalled biodiversity.
The Wheel of the Year provides further support for Gagnon’s theory. Festivals coincide with bird migrations, and human migrations follow the same aforementioned flyways. Moreover, none of these discoveries were especially hidden – just take a look at the way birds were depicted in folklore and religious texts. Gagnon offers sources from across the globe, painting a picture of birds as a pure symbol of regeneration and daring to propose a prehistoric religion that could have been a point of contact between ancient hominins.
Church of Birds is an important text that deserves widespread praise, readership, and scholarly discussion. At a time when bird populations across the globe are experiencing sharp decline, it is important to recognize the impact that they have had upon humanity, and to learn what we can do in turn to ensure their continued existence. Protecting birds protects the Earth’s ecosystem which in turn protects us. By recognizing and respecting birds’ place within our folklore, religion, and history, perhaps we can ensure their continued existence well into the future.