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Sign up todayWhat the Chicken Knows
A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird
Narrator
Sy Montgomery
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Length
2 hours 9 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Montgomery strikes again! Is there no creature this woman can’t make you fall in love with? Many chicken owners have long clucked over the joys of their “ladies” but for those of us outside the coop, this one will open your eyes to the pleasures & *surprises of the fowl- world. *Sad-tears possible but it’s well worth the flight! ”
— Krissy • The Homer Bookstore
Bookseller recommendation
“Trials and tribulations of raising chickens in a rural New Hampshire setting. Did you know that chickens are affectionate or that chickens have friends in the flock or a favorite roost? Sy Montgomery's humorous tales of raising chickens, read by the author.”
— Pat • Village Square Booksellers
Bookseller recommendation
“This book was so wholesome and heartwarming. Perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to own a flock of chickens in New England. This was the perfect follow up to the Chickenology episode of the Ologies podcast that featured Tove Danovich (author of Under the Henfluence.)”
— Kayla • Avid Reader
Bookseller recommendation
“This short book is a small window into the world of chickens, perfect for those who already love chickens and those who know nothing about them. The author narrates this beautifully, adding her own vocalizations to mimic different chicken sounds as she discusses them! I’m so glad I listened to it. Hearing the author in her own voice describe these creatures that she loves so much is heartwarming. It’s humorous, delightful, and informational. It’s primarily a memoir of sorts as she discusses her own interactions with chickens throughout her life, not a strictly scientific essay.”
— Gael • Page 2 Books
Bookseller recommendation
“A delightful, quick read that confirms what I have known since becoming a pet owner - animals do have a lot to say and we need to take the time to shut up and listen to them. I have always had a bit of a fear of birds, mostly because I have trouble understanding them and their motivations. But after listening to this audiobook I think it’s time for me to find a flock and learn a bit more about our feathery neighbors. ”
— Gaelan • Page 158 Books
Bookseller recommendation
“A beautiful compact love letter to the domestic chicken. Beloved naturalist and writer Sy Montgomery tells (in her own voice) the story of her life with chickens and, by so doing, and opens to us all the unexpected intelligence and humor of these familiar birds. A wonderful book for adults and children alike. Highly recommended. ”
— Kristin • Homespun
Bookseller recommendation
“Sy Montgomery takes us on a fascinating journey that's enjoyable, humorous and educational and I definitely learned a lot! I had no idea that chickens were so intelligent and complex. Apparently they know us humans far better than we know them. All of the specific details she shared were quite interesting. They can make up to 24 sounds each having a specific meaning. I personally would have never thought to hug a rooster. I now have a new-found love for chickens and I recommend this book to everyone, especially animal lovers. 5 stars! ”
— Sandra • Underground Books
Bookseller recommendation
“As someone who grew up with chickens but never positively connected with them, Sy Montgomery's What the Chicken Knows transformed my perspective. In this short yet powerful book, Montgomery reveals the surprising intelligence and charm of these often misunderstood birds. She helps readers discover what most of us have overlooked about these remarkable creatures! Her ability to find peace with nature's complexities - even if they can break our hearts - offers readers a mature and nuanced perspective on backyard farming. This slim volume accomplishes something remarkable: it manages to be both a delightful introduction to chicken-keeping and a deeper meditation on our relationship with the natural world. Whether you're a current chicken keeper, someone curious about starting, or simply a reader who appreciates thoughtful nature writing, Montgomery's insights will stay with you long after the final page.”
— Takyra • The End Bookstore
INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A charming and eye-opening exploration of the special relationship between humans and chickens from Sy Montgomery, “one of our finest chroniclers of the natural world” (The New York Times).
For more than two decades, Sy Montgomery—whose The Soul of an Octopus was a National Book Award finalist—has kept a flock of chickens in her backyard. Each chicken has an individual personality (outgoing or shy, loud or quiet, reckless or cautious) and connects with Sy in her own way.
In this short, delightful book, Sy takes us inside the flock and reveals all the things that make chickens such remarkable creatures: only hours after leaving the egg, they are able to walk, run, and peck; relationships are important to them and the average chicken can recognize more than one hundred other chickens; they remember the past and anticipate the future; and they communicate specific information through at least twenty-four distinct calls. Visitors to her home are astonished by all this, but for Sy what’s more astonishing is how little most people know about chickens, especially considering there are about twenty percent more chickens on earth than people.
With a winning combination of personal narrative and science, What the Chicken Knows is exactly the kind of book that has made Sy Montgomery such a beloved and popular author.
Sy Montgomery is a naturalist, adventurer, and author of more than thirty acclaimed books of nonfiction for adults and children, including The Hummingbirds’ Gift, The Hawk’s Way, the National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus, and most recently, Of Time and Turtles, which was a New York Times bestseller. The recipient of numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards from the Humane Society and the New England Booksellers Association, she lives in New Hampshire with her husband, writer Howard Mansfield, and a border collie.
Sy Montgomery is a naturalist, adventurer, and author of more than thirty acclaimed books of nonfiction for adults and children, including The Hummingbirds’ Gift, The Hawk’s Way, the National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus, and most recently, Of Time and Turtles, which was a New York Times bestseller. The recipient of numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards from the Humane Society and the New England Booksellers Association, she lives in New Hampshire with her husband, writer Howard Mansfield, and a border collie.
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Audiobook details
Author:
Sy Montgomery
Narrator:
Sy Montgomery
ISBN:
9781797184678
Length:
2 hours 9 minutes
Language:
English
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication date:
November 5, 2024
Edition:
Unabridged
Libro.fm rank:
#14,110 Overall
Genre rank:
#285 in Environment & Nature
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