Birding To Change the World: A Memoir

O’Kane’s (environmental justice, Univ. of Vermont; Guatemala in Focus) debut memoir interweaves her life story with a journal-like reflection on the natural world as she shares her passion for birds and explores avian imagination, human resilience, and her soaring desire for people to live in harmony with nature and each other. However, O’Kane’s journey doesn’t begin with a love for birds. Instead, this love grows out of the challenges that she has faced, especially a pivotal time when she observed sparrows regrouping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Between New Orleans and Madison, WI, O’Kane discovers the healing power of birding, awakened through what she calls a “gateway bird.” She writes in a deeply moving and understandable way, weaving together scientific bird facts with elements that educate and encourage a deeper connection with nature. Cheryl Smith’s narration taps into the beauty of O’Kane’s prose, bringing the story to life with a natural and grounded experience.