Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle

“An illuminating study of an evolutionary marvel.” ―Economist 

Winner of the John Burroughs Medal

Feathers are an evolutionary marvel: aerodynamic, insulating, beguiling. From flying dinosaurs to showgirls on the Las Vegas Strip, their story spans hundreds of millions of years—yet has never been fully told. In Feathers, biologist Thor Hanson details a sweeping natural history of how feathers have been used to soar, attract, and adorn through time. Applying the research of paleontologists, ornithologists, biologists, engineers, and even art historians, he asks: What are feathers? How did they evolve? What do they mean to us? 

Enlivened by Hanson’s field experiences and wide-ranging research, Feathers is a captivating account of the human fascination with this most enchanting natural wonder.