#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER • WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER • LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER “I've always looked upon cartooning as comedy’s last frontier. I have done stand-up, sketches, movies, monologues, awards show introductions, sound bites, blurbs, talk show appearances, and tweets, but the idea of a one-panel image with or without a caption mystified me. I felt like, yeah, sometimes I’m funny, but there are these other weird freaks who are actually funny. You can understand that I was deeply suspicious of these people who are actually funny.” So writes the multitalented comedian Steve Martin in his introduction to A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection. In order to venture into this lauded territory of cartooning, he partnered with the heralded New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss. Steve shared caption and cartoon ideas, Harry provided impeccable artwork, and together they created this collection of humorous cartoons and comic strips, with amusing commentary about their collaboration throughout. The result: this gorgeous, funny, singular book, perfect to give as a gift or to buy for yourself.

Lacey Yeager is young, captivating, and ambitious enough to take the NYC art world by storm. Groomed at Sotheby's and hungry to keep climbing the social and career ladders put before her, Lacey charms men and women, old and young, rich and even richer with her magnetic charisma and liveliness. Her ascension to the highest tiers of the city parallel the soaring heights--and, at times, the dark lows--of the art world and the country from the late 1990s through today.

'A mix of urbane wit and surreal extrapolations - Douglas Adams meets Flann O'Brien' Independent Who else but Steve Martin could combine irrefutable evidence that Mars is populated by kittens with a treatise on sledgehammers? In this brilliantly witty collection of pieces Steve Martin takes a subversive glimpse at the world and a sideways swipe at the conventional. From memory tips for the over-fifties to his insightful exposition of 'Wittgenstein's Banana', never has 'pure drivel' been so entertaining.

At its heart, the book is a story of love, loss and hope, whether it's in the context of one courageous woman's hardships in coming to America, the sufferings of her son to secure love in an unsympathetic world or the struggles of a beautiful woman to continue on the path of life after her beloved has departed.

A “quirky, endlessly entertaining” look at the surprising history of the pigeon (Simon Winchester). Domesticated since the dawn of man, pigeons have been used as crucial communicators in war by every major historical superpower from ancient Egypt to the United States and are credited with saving thousands of lives. They have been worshipped as fertility goddesses and revered as symbols of peace. Charles Darwin relied heavily on pigeons to help formulate and support his theory of evolution. Yet today they are reviled as “rats with wings.” To research this lively history of the humble pigeon, the author traveled across the United States and Europe to meet with pigeon fanciers and pigeon haters in a quest to find out how we came to misunderstand one of mankind’s most helpful and steadfast companions. Pigeons captures a Brooklyn man’s quest to win the Main Event (the pigeon world’s equivalent of the Kentucky Derby), as well as a convention dedicated to breeding the perfect bird. The author participates in a live pigeon shoot where entrants pay $150; he tracks down Mike Tyson, the nation’s most famous pigeon lover; he spends time with Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Pigeon Handler; and he sheds light on a radical “pro-pigeon underground” in New York City. In Pigeons, Andrew D. Blechman reveals for the first time the remarkable story behind this seemingly unremarkable bird. “A quick and thoroughly entertaining read, Pigeons will leave readers chuckling at the quirky characters and pondering surprising pigeon facts.” —Audubon Magazine “Manages to illuminate not merely the ostensible subject of the book, but also something of the endearing, repellent, heroic, and dastardly nature of that most bizarre of breeds, Homo sapiens.” —Salon.com

Homing Pigeons: Best in Racing Pigeon Books on Homing Pigeons is the ultimate guide for anyone interested in the thrilling world of pigeon racing. This comprehensive book delves into every aspect of the sport, from its rich history to the advanced techniques used by top pigeon racers today. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started or an experienced enthusiast seeking to improve your racing performance, this book provides essential insights into the fascinating and competitive world of homing pigeons. In Chapter 1: The Fascinating World of Pigeon Racing, you'll explore the captivating origins of pigeon racing and how it evolved into a global phenomenon. Learn about the sport's cultural significance across different countries and discover the legendary races and racers that have shaped pigeon racing history. This chapter also highlights the challenges and rewards of competing in modern pigeon racing, giving you a solid foundation to understand the sport's appeal and its modern-day prominence. Chapter 2: Getting Started with Pigeon Racing offers everything you need to know to begin your pigeon racing journey. Learn how to choose the best pigeon breeds for racing, understand the importance of pigeon genetics, and set up your racing loft. With easy-to-follow guidance on pigeon care and training, this chapter ensures that even newcomers can raise strong, healthy birds capable of performing in races. Additionally, it prepares you for your first race, outlining exactly what to expect when competing for the first time. For those looking to push their pigeons to the next level, Chapter 3: Advanced Training Techniques focuses on specialized training methods. You'll discover how to develop a precise training schedule, enhance your pigeons' conditioning and endurance, and hone their homing instincts. With cutting-edge insights on speed trials, mental training, and technology's role in racing, this chapter is perfect for racers who want to refine their techniques and ensure their birds perform at their peak. In Chapter 4: Advanced Breeding Strategies, this book dives deep into the art and science of pigeon breeding. Learn how to select the perfect breeding stock, breed for specific traits that give your birds a competitive edge, and raise healthy squabs with top-notch nutrition. Managing a breeding loft requires expertise, and this chapter offers ethical and responsible breeding practices that contribute to the long-term success of your pigeon racing operation. Chapter 5: Nutrition and Health for Racing Pigeons covers everything you need to know about keeping your pigeons in prime health. From understanding pigeon nutrition and feeding schedules to supplementing their diet for enhanced performance, this chapter ensures your birds are always race-ready. It also covers common health issues, first aid, and maintaining a healthy loft to prevent illness and keep your birds thriving throughout the racing season. Finally, Chapter 6: The Business of Pigeon Racing teaches you how to turn your passion into a profitable venture. Learn the economics of pigeon racing, how to market and sell racing pigeons, and secure sponsorships. This chapter also includes tips on competing in major races, building a personal brand in the racing world, and developing long-term strategies for sustained success. Whether you're looking to profit from your birds or simply enhance your competitive edge, this chapter has you covered. If you're ready to immerse yourself in the world of homing pigeons and racing, this book is a must-have for enthusiasts at every level. TAGS: Pigeon Racing, Homing Pigeons, Racing Pigeon Books, Pigeon Racing Guide, Pigeon Racing Tips, Pigeon Racing Training, Pigeon Breeding, Pigeon Care, Pigeon Genetics, Pigeon Loft Setup, Pigeon Racing Competitions, Pigeon Racing Equipment, Pigeon Racing History, Pigeon Racing Health, Pigeon Racing Nutrition

The story of Passenger Pigeon, and what we can learn from its demise 100 years ago. September 1st, 2014 marked the centenary of one of the best-documented extinctions in history – the demise of the Passenger Pigeon. From being the commonest bird on the planet 50 years earlier, the species became extinct on that fateful day, with the death in Cincinnati Zoo of Martha – the last of her kind. This book tells the tale of the Passenger Pigeon, and of Martha, and of author Mark Avery's journey in search of them. It looks at how the species was a cornerstone of the now much-diminished ecology of the eastern United States, and how the species went from a population that numbered in the billions to nil in a terrifyingly brief period of time. It also explores the largely untold story of the ecological annihilation of this part of America in the latter half of the 19th century, a time that saw an unprecedented loss of natural beauty and richness as forests were felled and the prairies were ploughed, with wildlife slaughtered more or less indiscriminately. Despite the underlying theme of loss, this book is more than another depressing tale of human greed and ecological stupidity. It contains an underlying message – that we need to re-forge our relationship with the natural world on which we depend, and plan a more sustainable future. Otherwise more species will go the way of the Passenger Pigeon. We should listen to the message from Martha.