In this five-star journey into our birding history, present and future, the authors make clear that ultimately, it's up to us — you and me — to care and to act..

No jeremiad. The authors, retirees, tour the country in their refurbished Airstream and calmly and competently report their observations.

Written partially as a travelogue as the authors journeyed thousands of miles by road around the continent, the combination of personal story and scientific reportage is compelling..

The text encompasses studies by biologists, ecologists, wildlife officials, and philanthropists whose combined efforts are focused on halting the decline of bird populations. Most encouraging are modern scientific initiatives to uncover the source of bird decimation.

Readers looking for signs of hope will find some in the eclectic measures described, which showcase the remarkable ingenuity of those working to save the birds.