Every January 1, a quirky crowd storms out across North America for a spectacularly competitive event called a Big Year -- a grand, expensive, and occasionally vicious 365-day marathon of birdwatching. For three men in particular, 1998 would become a grueling battle for a new North American birding record. Bouncing from coast to coast on frenetic pilgrimages for once-in-a-lifetime rarities, they brave broiling deserts, bug-infested swamps, and some of the lumpiest motel mattresses known to man. This unprecedented year of beat-the-clock adventures ultimately leads one man to a record so gigantic that it is unlikely ever to be bested. Here, prize-winning journalist Mark Obmascik creates a dazzling, fun narrative of the 275,000-mile odyssey of these three obsessives as they fight to win the greatest -- or maybe worst -- birding contest of all time.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession
Publisher: Free Press
Publication Date: 2004
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0965901343
ISBN 13: 9780965901345
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Fair

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Synopsis

For those who thought bird-watching was a sedate Sunday hobby, here comes the rollicking tale of three bird-watchers so obsessed that it nearly kills them. The Big Year was 1998, the battle for the North American birding record. Sandy Komito, Al Levantin, and Greg Miller chase their quarry from coast to coast as they attempt to spot every bird on the continent. From New Mexico to Nome, New Jersey to Texas, they search out such illusive critters as the Xantus' hummingbird and the offshore Great Skua - facing sizzling deserts, roiling oceans, bug-infested swamps, a mountain lion charge, and some of the lumpiest hotel mattresses known to man. With side-trips into the lore of birds and historical birders like James Audubon, this witty excursion delights and astounds.

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