The Flight of the Monarch: And Other Reflections

Michel Braudeau's The Flight of the Monarch and Other Reflections magically spins simple facts of nature into unforgettable tales as it suggests what a miracle it is that certain species ever manage to reproduce at all. Consisting of six poetic and concise essays—five of which originally appeared in Le Monde—this elegantly written book demystifies the natural world by clearly, accurately, and often humorously, conveying encyclopedic knowledge in small, unforgettable, gem-like chapters. Braudeau depicts the arduous, multi-generational migration of the Monarch butterfly; the in-flight snooze of the soaring "Martinet"; the road-block that saved an entire population of toads; the simultaneous birth of 8,000 wildebeests; the stupid leatherback turtle that nonetheless holds the secret of eternal youth; and, finally, answers the question of why we don't see that many flea-circuses anymore. He does so with obvious enjoyment, interweaving the facts of these animals' lives with the economic and political realities of our world in a way that will make conservationists approve and applaud. This book will appeal to a wide audience, for its masterly handling of language and content truly offers something for everyone.