Don't Die in Autumn: A Memoir

by Eric Dempsey (Contributor)

Paul, my brother, still questions whether I was born or if, in fact, I was hatched.
Eric Dempsey is mad about birds. In fact, they have changed his whole life.Having once been gainfully employed by a semi-state company in a secure, pensionable job, he gave it all up to dedicate his life to birdwatching.
In this remarkable memoir, Eric tells us of his love of nature from his earliest days and how it has influenced him throughout his life, inspiring many adventures, including trips around the world. In doing so, he provides a snapshot of growing up in Dublin in the 60s and 70s. Peppered with stories that are both hilarious and poignant, such as instructing his parents not to die in autumn (it s the best time for birdwatching) and going on safari to fulfil the dream of a friend who had passed away, this book will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
Some people spend all their lives dreaming of following their passion; Eric Dempsey s memoir reveals a life all the more rewarding for doing so.
A joyously honest chronicle of birding. Michael Viney
An inspirational story. Dick Warner

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2015

Reviews

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most life-affirming books I have ever read. Also warm, poignant, funny (laugh out loud in places), and educational – heartily recommended to all those who loves birds and/or Ireland and the Irish.

[Sophie Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely memoir depicting Dempsey's life and good to listen to on audio with Eric's Irish accent. However, I think you need to know who Eric Dempsey is before reading the book, or to be really REALLY interested in birds/birding. There's a lot of extraneous detail and this really is about Eric's entire life not just his birding career, so some of it I didn't find particularly captivating, having not known who Eric Dempsey was prior to downloading this. There was also actually very little about birds at all until about halfway through, so I think a knowledge of/interest in both Eric Dempsey as a person AND in birds is fairly crucial to fully enjoying this memoir.

[Richard Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audiobook version)

Quite simply the best birding memoir I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many. Having the author narrate his own work was an excellent decision, as his lilting Irish brogue immerses the listener in the story.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I simply couldn't put down—a journey through every scenic corner of Ireland and around the globe. I learned so much, not only about the technicalities of birding but also about the refreshing joy of pursuing an ambition that isn't tied to the career ladder. Reassuring and warm throughout, I highly recommend this book—and suggest keeping a notebook handy to jot down all the fascinating birds and animals Eric introduces.

[AT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this audio book and like some other reviewers I laughed out loud and cried by times. You don't have to be a birder to enjoy this. Perhaps occasionally the momentum of some twitcher discoveries will hold more significance for birders but it is really Eric's humanity, outlook and turn of phrase which makes this a special book. Have so enjoyed the audiobook, I have now ordered the written word to read it again. This is one of those reads that I will gift others.

[Thu Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is why I love memoirs from ordinary people who had lived and experienced something extraordinary in their lives. I won't become a bird watcher any time soon but listening to your story has been a lot of fun. You are very lucky indeed to have started your life with a pair of amazing Ma and Da. And you, sir, are a gentleman. Thank you for sharing your stories.

[Audiobook Accomplice (Gillian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeh yeh yeh—like watching paint dry… BUT if you’re NUTTY about birds? AWESOME!!!
My Full Review →

[Jeff Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read ,great love shown for his parents ,lovely Irish book

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me cry and laugh, Google birds I'd never heard of and want to visit far flung places. If you can listen to it (there are free apps through the library), you can listen in his wonderfully warm Irish accent.

[Brian Gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 out of 5. I thought this book was brilliant, and I absolutely flew through it. That said, I’m a birdwatcher, so it might appeal to me more than it would to non-birdwatchers. Eric Dempsey is one of the most high profile and influential birdwatchers in Ireland. If you’ve heard him on the radio, you’ll know that he’s an engaging and entertaining story-teller. This engaging quality follows through onto the page. While most of the book follows his humorous style, there are some poignant moments. For me, the incident which resulted in Eric deciding to stop “twitching” (chasing rare birds to tick them off a list) was painfully real. Like many books where the author is making a livelihood by following their passion, the book is inspiring and a delight to read.
As I said, I loved this book, and it encouraged me to pick up other books on birding, such as The Big Year and Eagle Country (I’d recommend both!), and I’ve just bought a copy of A Life in the Trees by Declan Murphy which is top of my To Be Read pile.