2 Books on Pigeons | Book Reviews

TL;DR

A book on homing pigeons explores the concept of home in a comforting and sophisticated way, while another book on diamond smuggling fails to deliver on its promise.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to review two books on pigeons yes you heard me correctly two books on the humble pigeon some love the bird some really don't and i guess that's fitting for this video because one of these books i loved and the other one let's just say i didn't but let's start off by talking about the book that i loved because for me t... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 Pigeons have a negative reputation but are also tied to the concept of home due to their homing instinct.
• 🏛️ Pigeon racing has historically been associated with working-class individuals, contrasting with the upper-class association of falconry.
• 👪 The book "Homing on Pigeons: Dwelling and Why We Return" by John Day received high praise and provided a comforting and thought-provoking exploration of home.
• 😥 The book "Flight of the Diamond Smugglers" by Matthew Gavin Frank disappointed with unclear intentions, overdone prose, and a lack of focus on the health impacts of diamond mining.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main theme of "Homing on Pigeons: Dwelling and Why We Return"?

The main theme of the book is the concept of home, explored through the author's personal experience with homing pigeons and their ability to navigate back to their roost from anywhere.

Q: How does "Flight of the Diamond Smugglers" approach the topic of diamond smuggling?

The book focuses on the diamond mining industry in South Africa and the role of homing pigeons in smuggling diamonds out of the mines. It also delves into the history of the diamond company De Beers and their practices.

Q: What were the strengths of "Homing on Pigeons: Dwelling and Why We Return"?

The book provides a comforting and sophisticated exploration of the concept of home, blending the author's personal story with insightful discussions on the subject. It is well-researched and engaging.

Q: What were the weaknesses of "Flight of the Diamond Smugglers"?

The book suffers from unclear intentions and overdone prose, resulting in a lack of focus and direction. It fails to deliver a deep introspective side promised at the beginning, and the writing is in need of extensive editing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The first book, "Homing on Pigeons: Dwelling and Why We Return" by John Day, tells the author's story of learning about homing pigeons, keeping them, and racing them while exploring the concept of home and the history of pigeon racing.

• The second book, "Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed along Coastal South Africa" by Matthew Gavin Frank, focuses on the diamond mining industry in South Africa and the use of homing pigeons to smuggle diamonds out of the mines, but fails to deliver a cohesive message.