Although Gerd Heinrich, a devoted naturalist, specialized in wasps, Bernd Heinrich tried to distance himself from his "old-fashioned" father, becoming a hybrid: a modern, experimental biologist with a naturalist's sensibilities. In this extraordinary memoir, the award-winning author shares the ways in which his relationship with his father, combined with his unique childhood, molded him into the scientist, and man, he is today. From Gerd's days as a soldier in Europe and the family's daring escape from the Red Army in 1945 to the rustic Maine farm they came to call home, Heinrich relates it all in his trademark style, making science accessible and awe-inspiring. “A remarkable story.” - Portland Press Herald “Some of Heinrich’s most lyrical writing...the future scientist as a footloose nature boy.” - New York Times Book Review “...brilliant...there is in Heinrich’s every page, wonderment.” - San Francisco Chronicle “...splendid nature writing...a fascinating glimpse of the growth of one scientist’s mind. Heartily recommended.” - Library Journal “Arguably today’s finest naturalist author...our latter-day Thoreau.” - Publishers Weekly “Heinrich’s stunning family saga...his magnum opus...vividly descriptive...he has produced his best book ever...” - Alice Calaprice, award winning editor; author of the Quotable Einstein books, The Einstein Almanac, and Dear Professor Einstein “The Snoring Bird...show[s] readers why the work of an observant field biologist still matters.” - Los Angeles Times Book Review “...beautifully written story of a man’s efforts to reconstruct posthumously the life of his father...” - Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse “...You will not want to put it down...an engrossing and powerful narrative of human achievement...” - Samuel W.F. Wolfgang, author of German Boy and The War of Our Childhood “...amazing saga, full of twists and turns...his magnum opus...vividly descriptive...he has produced his best book ever...” - Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Deep Economy “...I couldn’t leave its pages...it has joined the small collection of my most favorite book...” - Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, anthropologist and author of the bestseller The Hidden Life of Dogs “...extraordinary...a memoir of fun, daringness and intellectual curiosity, the heartwarming evolution of a modern biologist.” - Jean Craighead George, award-winning author of Julie of the Wolves “...by one of the premier naturalists of our time...a splendid book, truly compelling, and bound to endure.” - Thomas Eisner “Heinrich, who combines his keen scientific eye with the soul of a poet, enthralls.” - New York Times Book Review “One of the finest living examples of that strange hybrid: the science writer.” - Los Angeles Times Book Review “...scientist and naturalist of the first rank and a nature writer of uncommon talent...” - Edward O. Wilson Although Gerd Heinrich, a devoted naturalist, specialized in wasps, Bernd Heinrich tried to distance himself from his "old-fashioned" father, becoming a hybrid: a modern, experimental biologist with a naturalist's sensibilities. In this extraordinary memoir, the award-winning author shares the ways in which his relationship with his father, combined with his unique childhood, molded him into the scientist, and man, he is today. From Gerd's days as a soldier in Europe and the family's daring escape from the Red Army in 1945 to the rustic Maine farm they came to call home, Heinrich relates it all in his trademark style, making science accessible and awe-inspiring. BERND HEINRICH is an acclaimed scientist and the author of numerous books, including the best-selling  Winter World, Mind of the Raven, Why We Run, The Homing Instinct, and One Wild Bird at a Time.  Among Heinrich's many honors is the 2013 PEN New England Award in nonfiction for  Life Everlasting.  He resides in Maine. The Snoring Bird My Family's Journey Through a Century of Biology By Bernd Heinrich HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Copyright © 2008 Bernd Heinrich All right reserved. ISBN: 9780060742164 Chapter One A Visit Home When you start your journey to Ithaca then pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. Do not fear the Lestrygonians and the Cyclops and the angry Poseidon. —"Ithaca," Constantine P. Cavafy Mamusha is just settling down on her bed to watch the evening news when I arrive. Two cans of Coors, which she has opened with the point of a pair of scissors, are on the table next to her, along with a box of German chocolates. She used to make her own beer, but now, in her mid-eighties, she likes Coors from a can; and because her gnarled hands are too weak, she cannot pull off the tabs. Duke, the huge shepherd-hound that she rescued from the pound, is at her feet, and a one-legged chicken lies cradled in her lap. She is mildly irritated at me for arriving unannounced (I have a tendency either to just show up or to come an hour late