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Bird Brother: A Falconer's Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife Hardcover – February 3, 2022

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 125 ratings

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To escape the tough streets of Southeast Washington, D.C. in the late 1980s, young Rodney Stotts would ride the metro to the Smithsonian National Zoo. There, the bald eagles and other birds of prey captured his imagination for the first time. In Bird Brother, Rodney shares his unlikely journey to becoming a conservationist and one of America’s few Black master falconers.

Rodney grew up during the crack epidemic, with guns, drugs, and the threat of incarceration an accepted part of daily life for nearly everyone he knew. To rent his own apartment, he needed a paycheck—something the money from dealing drugs didn’t provide. For that, he took a position in 1992 with a new nonprofit, the Earth Conservation Corps. Gradually, Rodney fell in love with the work to restore and conserve the polluted Anacostia River that flows through D.C. As conditions along the river improved, he helped to reintroduce bald eagles to the region and befriended an injured Eurasian Eagle Owl named Mr. Hoots, the first of many birds whose respect he would work hard to earn.

Bird Brother is a story about pursuing dreams against all odds, and the importance of second chances. Rodney’s life was nearly upended when he was arrested on drug charges in 2002. The jail sentence sharpened his resolve to get out of the hustling life. With the fierceness of the raptors he had admired for so long, he began to train to become a master falconer and to develop his own raptor education program and sanctuary. Rodney’s son Mike, a D.C. firefighter, has also begun his journey to being a master falconer, with his own kids cheering him along the way.

Eye-opening, witty, and moving,
Bird Brother is a love letter to the raptors and humans who transformed what Rodney thought his life could be. It is an unflinching look at the uphill battle Black children face in pursuing stable, fulfilling lives, a testament to the healing power of nature, and a reminder that no matter how much heartbreak we’ve endured, we still have the capacity to give back to our communities and follow our wildest dreams.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Stotts’s gift for storytelling, as an educator and public speaker, is on full display in this remarkable memoir; it’s thought-provoking, moving, and inspiring.” starred review, ― Library Journal

"Rodney Stotts' story is a tremendously moving tribute to the power of birds to transform a life. Searingly honest,
Bird Brother is a love letter to the avian world from a fiercely dedicated master falconer and tireless conservationist who not only does the work—no matter how unglamorous—but also inspires others to see the beauty of nature and find their place within it." -- Julia Zarankin, author of "Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder"

"My overwhelming refrain to Rodney Stotts is ‘thank you.’ His story, and the pictures he paints as he tells it, are the most incredible demonstration of the substance of hope. He beautifully captures the complex, and often visceral, nature of finding life within death through the liberation that comes with 'looking up.'" -- Corina Newsome, ornithologist and environmental activist

"Humanity and hawks. The lines between two-legged and taloned blur beautifully in
Bird Brother.  Rodney Stotts’ life is more than a story of man and nature, it is a no holds barred bittersweet odyssey; the much-needed, uplifted, uniquely-hued heroic epic of a determined soul who through a love of wild birds, delivers a heart-rending lesson in how grounded possibilities can soar beyond perception. There is no more powerfully positive sign of these times than a hawk on Rodney's raised fist." -- J. Drew Lanham, cultural & conservation ornithologist, birder, and author of "The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature"

“The book is embellished with impressive photographs that capture the beautiful relationships between Stotts and his bird friends. The loving relationship that can be cultivated between humans and the amazing birds is shown through charming moments between the birds and Stotts’s audience, too.
Bird Brother is a memoir that is apt in its demonstration of nature’s ability to transform people.”
  ―
Forward Reviews

“Stotts’s gift for storytelling, as an educator and public speaker, is on full display in this remarkable memoir; it’s thought-provoking, moving, and inspiring.” - starred review
  ―
Library Journal

“The book is embellished with impressive photographs that capture the beautiful relationships between Stotts and his bird friends. The loving relationship that can be cultivated between humans and the amazing birds is shown through charming moments between the birds and Stotts’s audience, too.
Bird Brother is a memoir that is apt in its demonstration of nature’s ability to transform people.” ― Foreword Reviews

"A gripping memoir that will leave readers looking to the sky...A powerful Black voice in the predominantly white canon of nature writing,... His book is filled with hope, love, and the importance of second chances—for injured birds and humans alike." ―
Urban Audubon

"Keeping birds of prey is never easy, as anyone who has read other falconry books knows. But Stotts dealt with a particularly tough road,shadowed by incarceration, the deaths of family and friends, and racism....Particularly inspirational is Stotts teaching his own son to be a falconer." ―
Cool Green Science

"If you’ve loved
H is for Hawk or any sort of memoir that intersects with nature, you’ll like this one!" ― Smart Bitches Trashy Books

"It’s amazing and inspiring to read about someone with such commitment to honoring the wild dreams of his childhood." ―
Book Riot

"Stotts’ journey of self-discovery is an astonishing and heart-warming account that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it." ―
City Book Review

“This was an inspiring read, not only as a fellow Black man with a love for helping others and caring for the environment, but also as someone who has dealt with obstacle after obstacle, yet still finds the hope to remain determined and joyful as I pursue my goal.” ―
Birding Magazine | American Birding Association

"This book is about so much more than birds. Rodney Stotts—one of the few Black master falconers in the country—recalls how his passion for birds of prey transformed his life. It’s an ode to both human strength and resilience and the powerful bond between people and animals." ―
Mental Floss

"Stott’s uplifting memoir demonstrates both the healing power of nature and the capacity we all have to overcome hardship and pursue our dreams." ―
Free Lance-Star

Bird Brother is a very personal story of hope, redemption and sheer guts…. What really comes across in this book is Stotts’ love of what he does and the constructive role that nature has played in his life journey.” ― Biologist

“While the book gives some bird lessons, it is more of a life lesson. It’s an inspiration to any nature lover, full of ever-expanding dreams that soar as high as an eagle.” ―
Wildlife Activist

About the Author

Raised in Southeast Washington, D.C., Rodney Stotts has achieved the highest level of master falconer. Stotts is an educator and the founder and director of Rodney’s Raptors. When he’s not on the sanctuary property located in Laurel, Maryland, Rodney lives on seven acres in Charlotte Court House, Virginia, where he is working to turn the property into a haven for underprivileged youth and anyone who is interested in learning about falconry, wildlife, and conservation. The finished project will be called Dippy’s Dream, after Rodney’s deceased mother. His work has been featured in National Geographic, NPR, and other national outlets. He is the subject of the documentary The Falconer.

Kate Pipkin is the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for the School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. She has contributed to
The Baltimore Sun,Baltimore Magazine, Johns Hopkins Magazine, Loch Raven Review, and other publications.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Island Press (February 3, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1642831743
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1642831740
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.9 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 125 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
125 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and hard to put down. They describe the story as inspiring, uplifting, and meaningful. Readers appreciate the spiritual content, describing it as meaningful and hopeful.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and difficult to put down. They say it's an amazing memoir and a great piece of work.

"Wow!! What an incredible journey Rodney Stotts has been on. An amazing read that for me was difficult to put down; I completed the book in a little..." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Stotts tells his story of the healing powers of the earth and sky...." Read more

"He found a way to elevate his life and he did! Good read." Read more

"I loved this memoir and read it almost all the way through in one sitting because I couldn't put it down...." Read more

9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and inspiring. They describe it as a journey with grit and passion for falconry. The story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

"Wow!! What an incredible journey Rodney Stotts has been on...." Read more

"...This book leads you on an adventure, full of hope and grit, and leaves you wanting more." Read more

"Excellent story and photos" Read more

"...Great story, and important work that Mr. Stotts is doing for birds of prey and other wildlife along the Patuxent River. I highly recommend this book." Read more

4 customers mention "Spiritual content"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's spiritual content uplifting and inspiring. They describe it as meaningful, full of hope, and passionate. The author's life is described as raw and passionate.

"...I really enjoy reading true stories that are uplifting and inspiring, but that’s not all the writer shares with us...." Read more

"...Mr. Stotts tells his story of the healing powers of the earth and sky. He grew up in inner-city DC and felt a connection to large birds as a boy...." Read more

"...This book leads you on an adventure, full of hope and grit, and leaves you wanting more." Read more

"...The walks of this man’s life Is raw, and passionate...." Read more

Inspiring story of grit and passion for falconry
5 out of 5 stars
Inspiring story of grit and passion for falconry
I bought this book knowing I wanted it in my collection of bird-related books. Now I want to buy a copy for every bird-loving friend of mine.Bird Brother is a memoir about Rodney Stotts's journey from the dangerous life of a drug dealer in southeast DC to his realization that he is passionate about birds, nature and conservation. Through perseverance and dedication, he eventually becomes a master falconer."The thing was, hope in the future was something alien to kids like me growing up in the projects, surrounded by violence, drugs, guns, and poverty. Trying to hope for something was like trying to catch a butterfly: it was always just out of reach, and even if you were lucky enough to gently close your hand around its fluttering wings, it was so dang fragile that you knew it would never survive, and so you just had to let it go."This book leads you on an adventure, full of hope and grit, and leaves you wanting more.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
    Wow!! What an incredible journey Rodney Stotts has been on. An amazing read that for me was difficult to put down; I completed the book in a little over a day. If you love or just want to know more about raptors, falconry, nature or conservation and how it all interconnects with the human spirit, it’s all in this book. I really enjoy reading true stories that are uplifting and inspiring, but that’s not all the writer shares with us. He digs down into his soul to share not only the spiritual gains that enrich his life through healing with nature and sharing how to do this with others but he discloses the struggles and despair he experienced throughout his life which I think may have served to strengthen his resolve. I wish there were more books out there like this one. I think this book would make a great major motion picture. We need more of these types of feel good stories told through the “ big screen”. This book makes an excellent addition to the nature section of my library and I highly recommend it.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2022
    I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Stotts tells his story of the healing powers of the earth and sky. He grew up in inner-city DC and felt a connection to large birds as a boy. He also started on a path that could have led to a life of crime. He lost friends and relatives to the streets.

    He got a job with other troubled teenagers at Earth Conservation Corps, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the water quality of the Anacostia River. He tells his story of choices over a period of years to leave guns and drugs behind. He had mentors who allowed him to see how cleaning the Anacostia meant that bald eagles had a chance to return to the DC area. His connection to raptors was part of spiritual growth that led him to be a teacher and mentor to underprivileged children, people making bad life choices and others.

    Most Americans don’t think of Black people, especially men, as “environmentalists.” Mr. Stotts shares his unique perspective on connections between people and the world around us. As a Black woman who spent my career working at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, I know that People of Color are greatly underrepresented in our field. People like Rodney Stotts, who lead, teach, and mentor, show children and adults different pathways to environmental activism. We need people from all walks of life involved in our collective decision-making about the earth and sky.
    15 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2022
    He found a way to elevate his life and he did! Good read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022
    I bought this book knowing I wanted it in my collection of bird-related books. Now I want to buy a copy for every bird-loving friend of mine.

    Bird Brother is a memoir about Rodney Stotts's journey from the dangerous life of a drug dealer in southeast DC to his realization that he is passionate about birds, nature and conservation. Through perseverance and dedication, he eventually becomes a master falconer.

    "The thing was, hope in the future was something alien to kids like me growing up in the projects, surrounded by violence, drugs, guns, and poverty. Trying to hope for something was like trying to catch a butterfly: it was always just out of reach, and even if you were lucky enough to gently close your hand around its fluttering wings, it was so dang fragile that you knew it would never survive, and so you just had to let it go."

    This book leads you on an adventure, full of hope and grit, and leaves you wanting more.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story of grit and passion for falconry
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022
    I bought this book knowing I wanted it in my collection of bird-related books. Now I want to buy a copy for every bird-loving friend of mine.

    Bird Brother is a memoir about Rodney Stotts's journey from the dangerous life of a drug dealer in southeast DC to his realization that he is passionate about birds, nature and conservation. Through perseverance and dedication, he eventually becomes a master falconer.

    "The thing was, hope in the future was something alien to kids like me growing up in the projects, surrounded by violence, drugs, guns, and poverty. Trying to hope for something was like trying to catch a butterfly: it was always just out of reach, and even if you were lucky enough to gently close your hand around its fluttering wings, it was so dang fragile that you knew it would never survive, and so you just had to let it go."

    This book leads you on an adventure, full of hope and grit, and leaves you wanting more.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
    Was good to hear the difference contact with nature can make in a persons life. Especially true for young people in cities.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
    Excellent story and photos
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
    If you like stories and falcons, you will enjoy this book. Easy read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2022
    I loved this memoir and read it almost all the way through in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. Great story, and important work that Mr. Stotts is doing for birds of prey and other wildlife along the Patuxent River. I highly recommend this book.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars True story
    Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2022
    I read this all in one day. If you are a birder, this is a must read. Birds and nature heal the mind and soul. Rodney's story is engaging and relatable. I've seen Rodney doing interviews and lectures with the Cornell laboratory of ornithology and he's a pleasure to watch. Pure joy.
  • Philip H Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring story.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2022
    A good story of struggle and determination to get of the projects and do something important.
  • Bertie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unusual
    Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2023
    A nice true story but I felt rather too much into himself. However, he has done marvels with his life.