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An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible
Alt cover for ISBN 1483962814/9781483962818
Why?
“Why?” is my favorite question. It’s one I ask myself again and again, every time I poke around outside looking at plants and birds and bugs and everything else under the sun.
And wondering “Why?” is how this book came into being.
Why might a dove bring an olive leaf back to the Ark?
Why did a rain of quail fall upon the sleeping, starving Israelites?
Why would ravens carry food to Elijah?
Not in a religious sense—that’s not my department. But in a bird sense.
Might it be possible, I wondered, that every mention of a bird in the Bible is based on science? On the true nature of that bird?
And might the true nature of each bird have something to teach us about the Bible? A better understanding of the verses, once we know the habits and behavior of those birds?
Every line of Scripture that mentions a bird has a “Why?” in it.
As you meet the birds that are named in the Bible, and get to know their North American counterparts, you’ll find the answer to that question. The normal behavior of birds in their natural surroundings is one of the keys to understanding these Scriptures—and these Scriptures are one of the keys to understanding birds.
But at its heart, this is a bird book. Because, at my heart, is a love of birds. And a love of looking for the answers.
—Sally Roth
Why?
“Why?” is my favorite question. It’s one I ask myself again and again, every time I poke around outside looking at plants and birds and bugs and everything else under the sun.
And wondering “Why?” is how this book came into being.
Why might a dove bring an olive leaf back to the Ark?
Why did a rain of quail fall upon the sleeping, starving Israelites?
Why would ravens carry food to Elijah?
Not in a religious sense—that’s not my department. But in a bird sense.
Might it be possible, I wondered, that every mention of a bird in the Bible is based on science? On the true nature of that bird?
And might the true nature of each bird have something to teach us about the Bible? A better understanding of the verses, once we know the habits and behavior of those birds?
Every line of Scripture that mentions a bird has a “Why?” in it.
As you meet the birds that are named in the Bible, and get to know their North American counterparts, you’ll find the answer to that question. The normal behavior of birds in their natural surroundings is one of the keys to understanding these Scriptures—and these Scriptures are one of the keys to understanding birds.
But at its heart, this is a bird book. Because, at my heart, is a love of birds. And a love of looking for the answers.
—Sally Roth
310 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2013
3 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Sally Roth
57 books15 followersSally Roth is an award-winning author of 20 or so popular books about birds, nature, and gardening, including the best-selling "Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible," and a contributing editor for "Birds & Blooms" magazine.
Her latest book is "An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible," which uses quotes from the Bible as a jumping-off point for examining the natural behavior of the birds behind those Scriptures. It's a bird book, and it's for everyone, religious or not.
Sally's also an enthusiastic public speaker, whether it's grabbing a stranger on the street ("Hey, want to see something cool?") or talking to an audience of hundreds ("Hey, want to see something cool?"). She'll be appearing in the Michiana area (northern Indiana/Michigan) in early spring of 2013, as well as other places.
She and her husband Matt Bartmann share their home in the high Rockies with two dogs, one cat, a family of pine squirrels, a hard-working packrat named Sisyphus, a spotted skunk who lives beneath the house, a well-fed bunch of birds at the feeder, and a stable of old Volvos.
Come visit us at www.sallyroth.com. We'd love to see you!
Her latest book is "An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible," which uses quotes from the Bible as a jumping-off point for examining the natural behavior of the birds behind those Scriptures. It's a bird book, and it's for everyone, religious or not.
Sally's also an enthusiastic public speaker, whether it's grabbing a stranger on the street ("Hey, want to see something cool?") or talking to an audience of hundreds ("Hey, want to see something cool?"). She'll be appearing in the Michiana area (northern Indiana/Michigan) in early spring of 2013, as well as other places.
She and her husband Matt Bartmann share their home in the high Rockies with two dogs, one cat, a family of pine squirrels, a hard-working packrat named Sisyphus, a spotted skunk who lives beneath the house, a well-fed bunch of birds at the feeder, and a stable of old Volvos.
Come visit us at www.sallyroth.com. We'd love to see you!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 7, 2013
A really fun read! I find history interesting, I like birds ~ I' neither a bird fanatic or a bible fanatic.
I do know the author so I was lucky to see the work in progress before publishing. It was the same day the first batch of books showed up that I took my daughter to get her learners permit for driving (I got my copy in the morning). Turned out the computers at the drivers license office were down... we had to wait there for over 6 hours. Nothing boring about that day (at least for me) ~ the book is just a fun read, it's full of fascinating facts about birds, their behavior and bible stories. It's loaded with lots of neat pictures! It's put into neat chapters about different birds.
It's not a field guide, it's not a novel, it's none fiction, it's one of those books you can pick up, open on any page, read for any amount of time and have fun (and learn). Or, you might just read it cover to cover. Reading 'An Eye on the Sparrow' is almost as fun as hanging out with the Author herself. (unless she's grumpy that day then I suppose it's better)
I do know the author so I was lucky to see the work in progress before publishing. It was the same day the first batch of books showed up that I took my daughter to get her learners permit for driving (I got my copy in the morning). Turned out the computers at the drivers license office were down... we had to wait there for over 6 hours. Nothing boring about that day (at least for me) ~ the book is just a fun read, it's full of fascinating facts about birds, their behavior and bible stories. It's loaded with lots of neat pictures! It's put into neat chapters about different birds.
It's not a field guide, it's not a novel, it's none fiction, it's one of those books you can pick up, open on any page, read for any amount of time and have fun (and learn). Or, you might just read it cover to cover. Reading 'An Eye on the Sparrow' is almost as fun as hanging out with the Author herself. (unless she's grumpy that day then I suppose it's better)
September 8, 2013
The is my first review of any book. Sally shares her vast knowledge with clarity, and an easy style that carries you along on a great trip. Her whit pops out and makes it fun to learn. It is never dry or boring. I have recommended "An Eye on the Sparrow" to my friends, even the ones not online. Thanks Sally.
September 8, 2013
Another fantastic book by Sally Roth, certainly my favorite. An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird
Lover"s Bible is full of interesting facts, entertaining anecdotes & beautiful illustrations. Sally is such a talented writer. This book appeals to not just the bird lover but historians, naturalists, the scientific, the religious or anyone looking for an intriguing read. It is hard to put down. I've learned so many new things about a few of my feathered friends: the Bittern, Quail, Raven, Dove, and "even the least" Sparrow......I bet you haven't heard of the Domino Day Sparrow. Aren't you curious?
Lover"s Bible is full of interesting facts, entertaining anecdotes & beautiful illustrations. Sally is such a talented writer. This book appeals to not just the bird lover but historians, naturalists, the scientific, the religious or anyone looking for an intriguing read. It is hard to put down. I've learned so many new things about a few of my feathered friends: the Bittern, Quail, Raven, Dove, and "even the least" Sparrow......I bet you haven't heard of the Domino Day Sparrow. Aren't you curious?
September 9, 2013
Wow. Sally Roth makes some amazing connections between two things I love .. birds and the bible. The illustrations are fabulous. This is a great read. An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible
September 9, 2013
This book absolutely changed my view on how I read books about birds. I have always used them as reference books. This one is a good reference as well, but, different in that I read it cover to cover like I would a novel. FOUR times now! ;-) Sally Roth is a wonderful writer and this book is just the latest in a long line of fantastic bird and garden books!
November 28, 2022
I did learn about Birds which are written in the Bible. It was more about the bird than what the bird signified in the message God was trying to teach me. I wish it has been in addition to info about birds that it also could have been a devotion. I read the author's preface and found out she and her husband are not Christians.
She wrote this because she loves research and used websites to get Hebrew and Greek words and research what types of birds were in the locations the Bible was talking about at the date this Biblical event happened. There are no Christian messages in this book.
She wrote this because she loves research and used websites to get Hebrew and Greek words and research what types of birds were in the locations the Bible was talking about at the date this Biblical event happened. There are no Christian messages in this book.
July 6, 2024
Great concept but I recall (it's been a few years) being unimpressed with the author's knowledge of both birds and the Bible.
April 18, 2016
This was a sweet little book. The illustrations were fun and light and dovetailed (pun intended) perfectly with Roth's interesting and often humorous tidbits and anecdotes. The author ties everything in nicely - interesting facts on migration, mating, feeding, etc., habits of our flying feathered friends - as they are referenced in the Scriptures. For those who love nature and birds, this one is for you. My only request was that I would have liked Roth to expand a bit on falconry in the chapter devoted to falcons and hawks, but guess that will have to keep for another book on by TBR list - (H is for Hawk), perhaps.
Anyway, An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible is a lighthearted book that is perfect for these early days of spring and for the nature lover in all of us.
Anyway, An Eye on the Sparrow: The Bird Lover's Bible is a lighthearted book that is perfect for these early days of spring and for the nature lover in all of us.
May 21, 2016
An in-depth look at all the birds mentioned in the Bible and why--according to what we know of their behaviors and traits--they would have been the ones included. I found it completely fascinating!
To be clear, I marked it "Christian" not because Roth is Christian (she's not), but because I think other Christians would find it very interesting.
A more in-depth review can be found here: http://ofbooksandblooms.blogspot.com/...
To be clear, I marked it "Christian" not because Roth is Christian (she's not), but because I think other Christians would find it very interesting.
A more in-depth review can be found here: http://ofbooksandblooms.blogspot.com/...
April 10, 2014
I'm so thankful to Goodreads, the publisher & the author for sharing this interesting book with me. As other readers have noted, the book is full of interesting facts about birds and does a great job with the Bible verses too. I've already passed the book along to a colleague and she is also enjoying it.
January 10, 2014
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Fun read. Unlike other books about birds this one was easy to read straight through. I highly recommend this for those interested in learning more about birds, but don't know where to start.
Fun read. Unlike other books about birds this one was easy to read straight through. I highly recommend this for those interested in learning more about birds, but don't know where to start.
decided-against
July 21, 2017Won in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews