Oct 27, 2025 - The Birds of Heaven: Travels with Cranes, by Peter Matthiessen

 

Reviewed by Rutland County Audubon 

 Here's what ChatGPT had to say: 

• Matthiessen travels around the globe over many years, seeking out all fifteen species of wild cranes (the genus Grus and related).

• He interweaves natural history (behavior, biology, migration etc.), conservation efforts, and cultural perspectives/legends about cranes from various regions. Rutland County Audubon society+2Grist+2

• Some of his journey is in very remote or ecologically fragile places — Mongolia, Bhutan, Siberia, etc. Rutland County Audubon society+2Iowa City Public Library+2

• He also shows how human activity — agriculture, urbanization, pollution, habitat destruction — threatens cranes and the ecosystems they depend on. 

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👍 Strengths

1. Beautiful, evocative writing
   Many reviewers praise Matthiessen’s ability to transport the reader — the landscapes, the moods, and the cranes themselves come alive. 

2. Blend of science, travel, and culture
   The combination of natural history + adventure + myth/legend gives the book more depth than a simple field guide or travelogue. It’s not just “Where I saw cranes,” but also “What cranes mean in different human contexts,” which enriches the narrative. Rutland County Audubon society+2Grist+2

3. Conservation urgency
   Matthiessen doesn’t just admire; he sounds alarms. The loss of wetlands, dwindling populations, and the fragility of migratory routes are well documented and made vivid. That gives the book more weight and relevance than just a tour of wildlife. Grist+1

4. Artistic component
   The inclusion of illustrations and paintings by Robert Bateman is a frequent point of praise. Those help make the birds (and their habitats) more vivid visually. Rutland County Audubon society+2Iowa City Public Library+2

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👎 Weaknesses / Criticisms

1. High level of detail / technical material
   For readers not already somewhat interested in ornithology or biology, some chapters may feel dense: detailed taxonomy, migration routes, breeding behavior, anatomy etc. For some, this enriches; for others, it bogs things down. Goodreads+2Rutland County Audubon society+2

2. Repetition
   Because the structure involves going from one region to another and often revisiting similar themes (threats, habitat loss, cultural stories), some readers find that material gets repeated. Goodreads+1

3. Tone
   Some reviewers mention that Matthiessen’s tone can shift: from lyrical and reverent to quite indignant. That may come across as preachy to some, especially if they expect a more neutral travel narrative. All Bookstores+1

4. Organization / pacing issues
   Because the book covers many species, many regions over many years, it can at times feel sprawling. Some readers felt it moves slowly, or that certain chapters are less compelling than others. Goodreads+1

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🎯 Who Will Like It Best

• Bird lovers / ornithologists — people who enjoy detailed natural history and want to learn about many species of cranes.

• Conservation-minded readers — those who want to see how wildlife and human society intersect, especially how environmental issues are global and deeply interconnected.

• Travelers and nature writers — those who appreciate evocative landscape writing, adventure, remote ecology.

• Readers open to a book that is part travelogue, part science, part advocacy.