Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds

This is an excellent read about an extraordinary woman,and what it took for her to become the the top "Lister",by seeing more bird species than anyone in the world. Anyone who becomes involved in the world of Birding,quickly learns that the people you meet are every bit as interesting as the birds you will see.Just as no two bird species are alike;certainly neither are any two Birders. Although many of you who read this book,will never have had the chance to meet and get to know Pheobe;you will certainly get to know what an exceptional person she was.To those who were fortunate to cross paths with her in her endless pursuit,I am sure they will be reminded of many experiences they had with her. I'll let you read the book and follow Pheobe's excursions as she travelled the world and added "lifers" to her list. This is exactly the thing that all Birders do, to one extent or another;but only a rare few have the passion,and yes, the resources and circumstances to do what she did. I don't want to suggest that it is simply a matter of having the resources ,that would enable one to accomplish this feat. There are many people where resources would be no problem;but having the money to cover the travel and other costs;is a minor,though quite essential part of it.It is the passion,endurance,study,knowledge and all of those other things you will learn about in this book;that is needed for one to accomplish what she did. It seems that to reach such lofty levels in worldwide listing,that one must really be more than passionate;they must be obsessed.On May 21,2005 I wrote a review on a somewhat similar "Lister" Dan Koeppel,who wrote about his quest in a similar book,"To See Every Bird On Earth". It seems that family life takes a tremendous toll when someone gets involved in such serious world listing.It doesn't always turn out this way. I knew Norm Chesterfield,who Is mentioned on page 118.Like Pheobe,he became interested in this type of listing later in life.He was in his mid forties when,after wondering what the attraction to this birding was all about. He lived near Point Pelee,one of North Americas most popular birding hot spots.He checked into it, and was soon "hooked".Thirty years later ,after going down this road,he had been the World's top "Lister" for 7 years. He visited 123 countries in his quest ,while at the same time owning and running a mink ranch in Ontario. He still managed to keep good relations with his family. I have other friends who are into this world listing and,though not reaching the top, have arrived at the 4 to 6,ooo level of species. Many of these people know the guides and others who are mentioned in Pheobe's book and every one of them are interesting people,are very generous with their time in helping any birder who shows an interest,and if one becomes interested in Birding and Listing ,they will soon get to meet and spend time with them. It must also be pointed out,that all Birding is not like this World Listing,though.Some

This is an extraordinary story, told with grace and insight. I am not a birder but I am a reader and I really love it. The subject is fascinating but my favorite thing about the book is the author's voice. Her thoroughness and diligence of research, her perceptiveness in telling detail and -- above all, the greatest challenge for a biographer, the proportionality of detail -- are superb. Many biographers intrude on the story but Gentile's exquisite care in avoiding that is evident throughout. Best of all, though, is her the author's own kindness and generosity of spirit, as when she adjusts the reader's expectations about Dave's candor or explains why she is using the name "Marmot."

Because I'll be reviewing Life List in an upcoming issue of Bird Watcher's Digest, I'll keep this brief. This little book rolls over you like a steam train, slowly gaining speed and intensity, and clattering away in your mind long after you've finished it. With her straightforward, mostly nonjudgmental take, showing without telling, Olivia Gentile raises questions about Phoebe Snetsinger's choices that caused me to examine my own prejudices and boundaries in the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Its penetrating depth is the little surprise of a book that's gripping enough to be a novel, but tells nothing but the truth.

I am a very amateur birder, but an avid reader. This book is a gem! The writing style is personal and yet detached enough to give a full understanding of a remarkable woman. Phoebe Snetsinger comes to life in this book with all of her delightful charm as well as her rough edges. And all within the context of birds, birds, birds. What a wonderfully balanced fabric is created between the avifauna of the world and the world of this woman. I think Olivia Gentile does a marvelous job of telling a complex and detailed story in a way that never bogs down, yet never feels rushed or shallow either. At the end of the book I felt like Phoebe was a friend, someone I knew. And I'm sorry I didn't know her on a birding tour. The birding tales are fantastic and inspired me to get more serious with my birding. And my own writing! Just an excellent read!

Although I am not a birder, I loved this book. I am a big fan of biographies and this was certainly a riveting one. The story of Phoebe Snetsinger's life is so fascinating it could be a novel, but it's not. Ms. Gentile's writing style is engaging to read and I found myself unable to put the book down until I had finished it. I would definitely recommend this to birders and non-birders alike.