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  <title><![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]></title>
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    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
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  <read_at>Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jan 08 16:42:55 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Jan 08 16:44:56 -0800 2008</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[Once again a book about a person waiting for life to happen TO them instead taking charge.  A bit frustrating, but Bittner's love for the parrots is evident and so sweet.  I enjoyed learning about the birds and watching the documentary later on.]]></body>
    
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    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
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    <rating>3</rating>
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  <date_added>Wed May 09 15:33:23 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Dec 16 19:11:54 -0800 2009</date_updated>
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    <body><![CDATA[very good if you can get over the author's bohemian (read &quot;gross&quot;) lifestyle]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1130418]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
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    <rating>4</rating>
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  <date_added>Mon Apr 20 22:16:18 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Apr 21 09:31:44 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[So all my friends that know me know how much I love animals and nature won't be surprised at all about how much I love this book. It is a terribly sweet story about connecting with these fabulously animated and amazing birds, who help Bittner connect to himself and his purpose. He was lost and disco...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53431416">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53431416]]></url>
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      <review>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
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</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
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  <read_at>Sat Aug 23 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Jul 16 22:26:21 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Aug 25 18:44:17 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This is a wonderful, well-written account by author Mark Bittner of six years spent communing with a flock of wild parrots in San Francisco.  Bittner, a refugee from the counterculture in the mid-1970s, was in search of a spiritual life.  Along the way, he became enchanted with a flock of a wild par...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27493977">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27493977]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27493977]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <name><![CDATA[Scott]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Overland Park, KS]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/445677-scott]]></link>
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  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
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    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at>Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon May 12 09:13:50 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Jun 05 11:50:50 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Mark Bittner's book meanders through his search for meaning and spiritual knowledge. While sidetracked off of his goal to be a musician, he becomes homeless, lives on the streets, relies upon the kindness of friends and strangers, and finally finds work as a live-in caretaker and performer of odd jo...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22070860">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22070860]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22070860]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
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    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
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    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[bird lovers]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Nov 11 00:00:00 -0800 2004</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Mar 02 21:24:44 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Mar 02 21:59:41 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[This book features a large cast of characters, most of whom are parrots. There are so many of them, and Bittner forges relationships with so many of them, that even though the birds have distinct personalities, I lost track of who was who after a while.<br/><br/>Also frustrating is Bittner's frust...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/16874890">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/16874890]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/16874890]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>10393492</id>
    <user>
    <id>653446</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Ian]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
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  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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        <shelf name="read" />
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      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Dec 13 17:20:48 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Dec 13 18:19:00 -0800 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I enjoyed this book because of the birds, not because of the author.  The documentary that preceded this book was about the flock of parrots that lived and grew in population among the residents of San Francisco.  This book is mostly about the same parrots, but it's also about the author's relations...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10393492">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10393492]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10393492]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>3178286</id>
    <user>
    <id>185299</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Octo]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[San Francisco, CA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/185299-octo]]></link>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>1</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
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  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Jul 17 12:22:48 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Tue Jul 17 12:59:59 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I kinda wish I had never read this book.  Why?  Because instead of looking upon the flock as a unique curiosity, I see it as some sort of sideshow that has become completely dependent upon humans.  The legions of folks that I see feeding these glorified pigeons on my walk home from work are just con...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3178286">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3178286]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3178286]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>9584412</id>
    <user>
    <id>642417</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Marta]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Issaquah, WA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/642417-marta]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1196134568p3/642417.jpg]]></image_url>
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  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[Readers who enjoy true stories and a love of animals]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Nov 26 19:37:48 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Nov 26 19:56:02 -0800 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I so enjoyed this book and Mark Bittner's writing that I emailed him right after I finished.  I have never even thought of telling a writer how much I enjoyed his/her work before.  But you can tell by reading Mark's words that he is the type of author that would enjoy knowing how much the reader app...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9584412">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9584412]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/9584412]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>47691903</id>
    <user>
    <id>2075528</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Jill]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Bellingham, WA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2075528-jill]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1235936799p3/2075528.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2003</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Feb 27 09:41:21 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Feb 27 09:56:19 -0800 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[5 years after reading this book I went to Telegraph Hill in San Fran to find the Parrots for myself. I hiked around with a big ziplock of sunflower seed that I had brought with me in my carryon luggage. I ask everyone I saw if they had seen the iridescent green flock of squawkers. No one knew what I...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47691903">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47691903]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47691903]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>69789872</id>
    <user>
    <id>1507436</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Victoria]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Somerville, MA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1507436-victoria-welch]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1259296814p3/1507436.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="2009" />
        <shelf name="nonfiction" />
        <shelf name="top-10-of-2009" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Thu Sep 03 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Sep 02 06:21:20 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Sep 03 15:35:38 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[No offense to the bird lovers out there, but if you'd told me a few weeks ago that I would have become fascinated in a memoir about parrots, I would have thought you crazy. That said, it was on my bookshelf and I figured I'd give it a shot. Turns out, it is one of the most charming books I've read t...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69789872">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69789872]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69789872]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>52924359</id>
    <user>
    <id>1480570</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Aaron]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1480570-aaron]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1221780430p3/1480570.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Fri May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Thu Apr 16 12:59:14 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri May 01 20:49:48 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[While I preferred the abridged version (meaning, the movie) it's a lovely book.  It got a little bogged down by the descriptions of individual birds in the middle. But when he started to pull his experiences together and relate them to his growth I found it touching and engaging through to the end. ...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52924359">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52924359]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52924359]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>10876819</id>
    <user>
    <id>697908</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Kim]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Palm Springs, CA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/697908-kim-mcshane]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1217342982p3/697908.jpg]]></image_url>
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  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>5</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[animal lovers and buddhists.]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Dec 22 12:27:58 -0800 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Dec 22 12:34:02 -0800 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Just a lovely engaging read. I couldn't put it down after I picked it up yesterday evening at 7pm.  I devoured it.  Only 20 pages or so to go.  While the author is a lonely, non-conformist guy with a few issues, he knows it, he is open about that, and he is forgiven his obsessive ways and the occasi...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10876819">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10876819]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/10876819]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>31002895</id>
    <user>
    <id>994745</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Margaret]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Steilacoom, WA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/994745-margaret]]></link>
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  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sat Aug 23 14:13:20 -0700 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sat Aug 23 14:24:13 -0700 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[     Since I had seen the film made from this book two times,<br/>I was not overly enthusiastic when my bookgroup chose to read<br/>it. Despite being very clear about the general plot before reaading Wild Parrots, I liked it. The book tells much more about Mark Bittner than the film did and though...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31002895">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31002895]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/31002895]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>55400256</id>
    <user>
    <id>1750038</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Carrie]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[The United States]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1750038-carrie]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image_url>
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  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Fri May 08 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri May 08 13:32:29 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri May 08 13:33:27 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Not so well written, but an interesting story of this guy's random 6-year devotion to wild parrots.  Loses steam when he tries to compare this life path to religion.  Would have liked the book more if I liked birds at all.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55400256]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55400256]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>533470</id>
    <user>
    <id>46852</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Maya]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Oakland, CA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/46852-maya]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-111x148.jpg]]></image_url>
    <small_image_url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg]]></small_image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
          </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2005</read_at>
  <date_added>Mon Apr 02 11:29:03 -0700 2007</date_added>
  <date_updated>Mon Apr 02 11:35:17 -0700 2007</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I haven't seen the movie, but I have the feeling a documentary format might be better suited for this story. The book tended to be a bit repetitive when describing the birds, and the authors life could probably be shown more effectively than having to describe it with words. I found the author, Mark...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/533470">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/533470]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/533470]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>66174716</id>
    <user>
    <id>2595349</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Cindy]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Berkeley, CA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2595349-cindy]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1249420152p3/2595349.jpg]]></image_url>
    <small_image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1249420152p2/2595349.jpg]]></small_image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>4</rating>
  <votes>1</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="animal-lovers-enter-here" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at></read_at>
  <date_added>Tue Aug 04 12:17:25 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Wed Aug 05 14:09:44 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[An interesting book, but one of those rare cases where the movie is better.  This documentary is one of my favorite movies ever.  Animal lovers will weep copiously.  Bring Kleenex.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66174716]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66174716]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>51389656</id>
    <user>
    <id>529705</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Beverly]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Niles, IL]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/529705-beverly]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1192126635p3/529705.jpg]]></image_url>
    <small_image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1192126635p2/529705.jpg]]></small_image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>2</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="2006" />
        <shelf name="non-fiction" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006</read_at>
  <date_added>Fri Apr 03 11:32:24 -0700 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Fri Apr 03 11:34:15 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[Disappointing. Too much superficial Eastern philosophy, not enough natural history of parrots. Bittner is a genuine eccentric, and as such is not too interesting.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51389656]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/51389656]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>48226862</id>
    <user>
    <id>2095208</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Gwen]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Santa Barbara, CA]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2095208-gwen]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1243379346p3/2095208.jpg]]></image_url>
    <small_image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1243379346p2/2095208.jpg]]></small_image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
  <small_image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723s/221682.jpg</small_image_url>
  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
  <votes>0</votes>
  <spoiler_flag>false</spoiler_flag>
  <shelves>
        <shelf name="read" />
            <shelf name="non-fiction" />
      </shelves>
  <recommended_for><![CDATA[]]></recommended_for>
  <recommended_by><![CDATA[]]></recommended_by>
  <read_at>Sun Apr 05 00:00:00 -0700 2009</read_at>
  <date_added>Wed Mar 04 11:40:52 -0800 2009</date_added>
  <date_updated>Thu Apr 16 11:34:24 -0700 2009</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[I enjoyed this in bits and pieces - Quite a detailed story about the birds' personalities, woven in with the author's spiritual journey and perspective on homelessness.<br/><br/>Touched a chord with me too because I recently discovered the bird sanctuary in Summerland and have been up close to a b...<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48226862">more...</a>]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48226862]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48226862]]></link>
</review>
      <review>
  <id>38487014</id>
    <user>
    <id>291243</id>
    <name><![CDATA[Corley]]></name>
    <location><![CDATA[Woodside, NY]]></location>
    <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/291243-corley]]></link>
    <image_url><![CDATA[http://photo.goodreads.com/users/1227708380p3/291243.jpg]]></image_url>
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    <book>
  <id type="integer">221682</id>
  <isbn>140008170X</isbn>
  <isbn13>9781400081707</isbn13>
  <text_reviews_count type="integer">49</text_reviews_count>
  <title>
    <![CDATA[The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings]]>
  </title>
  <image_url>http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172842723m/221682.jpg</image_url>
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  <link>http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221682.The_Wild_Parrots_of_Telegraph_Hill_A_Love_Story_with_Wings</link>
  <average_rating>3.77</average_rating>
  <ratings_count>229</ratings_count>
  <description>
    <![CDATA[Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the &#8220;dharma bum.&#8221; When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco&#8217;s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner&#8217;s life truly takes flight.<br/><br/>&#8220;A fascinating love story with wings.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Boston Herald</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.&#8221; &#8212;<em>Reader&#8217;s Digest, Editor&#8217;s Choice</em><br/><br/>&#8220;[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life&#8217;s meaning in the most serendipitous way.&#8221; &#8212;<em>San Jose Mercury News</em><br/><br/>&#8220;Instructive, surprising, sweet.&#8221; &#8212;Gary Snyder, author of <em>Turtle Island</em> and <em>Mountains and Rivers Without End</em>]]>
  </description>
  <published>2004</published>
</book>

    <rating>3</rating>
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  <read_at>Sun Nov 23 00:00:00 -0800 2008</read_at>
  <date_added>Sun Nov 23 17:24:01 -0800 2008</date_added>
  <date_updated>Sun Nov 23 17:24:01 -0800 2008</date_updated>
  <read_count></read_count>
    <body><![CDATA[A little shaky in the beginning but avian obsessives like myself will probably read the core of the text in one fevered sitting.]]></body>
    
  <url><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/38487014]]></url>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/38487014]]></link>
</review>
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