Negative Positive
Title: A self-congratulatory ego trip
Review: Heinrich obviously wants us to think of him as the modern Thoreau, but his thoughts are far shallower and less interesting. Furthermore Thoreau saw no need to ostentatiously parade his specialized knowledge before his readers, as Heinrich does. The specifying of 6 different kinds of warbler calls heard on a particular morning does not add to the atmosphere or enjoyment for almost anyone - but it DOES impress you with how much Heinrich knows about bird calls. Much of the book is in the same vein - paragraph after paragraph written not to instruct or entertain, but to impress. There are better choices out there by writers who are more impressed with their surroundings and less impressed with themselves.
Is the review positive or negative? 