In the Company of Crows and Ravens

John M. Marzluff is Denman Professor of Sustainable Resource Sciences and professor of wildlife science, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington. Tony Angell is a freelance artist and writer in Lopez Island, Washington.

“A fascinating look at the corvid family, illustrated with Mr. Angell’s delightful black-and-white drawings.”—Stuart Ferguson, Wall Street Journal“There is a wealth of folklore, biology and anecdote here about all species of crows—a cornucopia of corvid memorabilia. This is a well-researched, fascinating book to read, evocatively illustrated by Angell’s charming idiosyncratic scraperboards.”—Tim Birkhead, Times Literary Supplement“Sleek, evocative illustrations—a mysterious light seems to come directly from the eyes and feathers of these birds. . . . Learning how to slow down and observe animals around us is one simple way to form a stronger bond with nature. In the Company of Crows and Ravens is a subtle and beautiful reminder of this simple truth.”—Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times Book Review“This is a work bursting with fresh ideas, rich in speculation, while also managing to survey, in highly accessible terms, the full spectrum of research into this fascinating bird group.”—BBC Wildlife Magazine“A solid volume . . . [with] a vast amount of fascinating and provocative material.”—Birds“A book rich in descriptive language and juicy with insight and biological detail.”—New ScientistSemi-finalist and recipient of Honorable Mention for the 2006 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Environment/Ecology/Nature categoryWinner of First Prize for the Victoria and Albert Museum Illustration Award Winner of the 2006 Washington State Book Award“Crows and ravens stir up much interest, precisely for the reasons John Marzluff and Tony Angell give in this handsomely illustrated work.”—Bernd Heinrich, author of Mind of the Raven“With engaging prose and compelling art, the authors tell us how our interactions with other species, especially crows and ravens, have influenced both us and them over the ages. . . . If you believe that we have great impacts on other species but that they have influenced us relatively little, then you should read this delightfully written and illustrated book.”—Gordon H. Orians, University of Washington“Throughout human history, crows have been reviled and revered in equal measure. Now the corvids of folklore and fable are living up to their reputation for cleverness, trickery and ingenuity. Marzluff and Angell’s wonderful book is a user’s guide to the biology and culture of these fascinating animals and a testament to man’s affinity with nature.”—Nathan Emery, University of Cambridge“Members of the crow family (corvids), which include ravens, jays and magpies, as well crows, have the reputation of being mischievous, machaevellian creatures, who steal other birds’ eggs and raid agricultural crops. But these corvids are also renowned for their wisdom as well as their deceit. This fascinating book describes not only the role corvids have played in our folklore but more generally how corvids have influenced human culture and the impact of humans on corvids. I hope this book will afford corvids the respect they deserve.”—Nicola Clayton, University of Cambridge“This is the most detailed account I know of concerning crows and their interaction with man. A very readable and thought-provoking book!”—Noble S. Proctor, Ph.D., author of Manual of Ornithology and A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife