Taking Flight: The Evolutionary Story of Life on the Wing

'[Lev Parikian] brings a sense of infectious enthusiasm to his account of the evolution of flight in the natural world, from mayflies and bees to bats and hummingbirds by way of pterosaurs and archaeopteryx, combining a wealth of information with a sense of wonder.' The Observer 'This accessible account of the animal kingdom's development of flight exhibits a layman's enthusiasm for an everyday wonder.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Engaging’ Country Life  ‘A compelling, chatty and wildly informative look at the various species on Earth with the ability to fly … An evocative, entertaining and educational flight path through the natural histories of various winged creatures.’ BirdGuides ‘This book soars… Parikian is a nature writer at the top of his game.’ Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs ‘I didn't want this flight to end.’ Jon Dunn, author of The Glitter in the Green ‘Magical and uplifting’ Ann Pettifor, author of The Case for the New Green Deal ‘Whether you’re an engineer, a linguist, a historian or just curious, this book has something for you … Get ready to be swept away by the expertly crafted harmony of Taking Flight.’ Professor Lucy Rogers, author of It’s ONLY Rocket Science ‘Lev Parikian explores one of nature’s most astounding evolutionary conjuring tricks ... A work of clarity, levity and joy.’ Caspar Henderson, author of A New Map of Wonders ‘This is a soaring, joyful book, filled with the wit and wonder of aerial gymnastics, deep time, evolution and biology. It might just be the nearest thing to flight in a literary form.’ Patrick Barkham, author of Wild Isles ‘A beautiful concept, flawlessly executed, Taking Flight is among the most charming popular science books I’ve read in years. Parikian is fast becoming one of the finest science writers out there.’ Jules Howard, author of Wonderdog ‘Witty and enlightening. This book may not give you wings, but it will give you a deep appreciation for all those animals that glide, soar, hover and flutter… and penguins.’ Helen Pilcher, author of Life Changing: How Humans are Changing Life on Earth ‘Lev Parikian has produced a clear, crisp and entertaining account of the history of animal flight. A delightful and insightful read.’ Dominic Couzens, author of A Year of Bird Song ‘Had P. G. Wodehouse ghost-written Attenborough’s Life on Earth, we might have had Taking Flight forty years ago. This is a charming book, which – like its author – fizzes with erudition, wordplay and humour.’ Nick Acheson, author of The Meaning of Geese ‘Taking Flight is full of wonders, large and small, and Lev’s own sense of the astounding fact of flight will make you look at the world differently. Those of us who can’t distinguish a pigeon from a pterosaur will learn lots, but it’s also bang up to date and informed by research.’ Chris Lintott, University of Oxford ‘Taking Flight is a triumph of science communication. Full of surprises, insights and connections, I found delights with every turn of the page.’ Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow ‘This book is fascinating - packed with “well, I never!” and “who’d have thought?” lines which you feel compelled to share with anyone within earshot - and beautifully written with characteristic warmth and humour.’ Brigit Strawbridge, author of Dancing with Bees