Set among the rolling green hills of New Zealand's verdant Waikato District, this episodic collection of short stories opens a window into the life of a twentieth century dairy farming family. Nuanced and thought-provoking, the accessible tales highlight the emotions, disagreements and aspirations dwelling just below the surface in each member of the Hester clan. From a fishing boat surrounded by a school of whales, to an unexpected kiss in a second-hand shop, to an overnight manhunt in the mountains, this series of poignant snapshots spans the Great Depression into mid-century, depicting the relationships between Duncan and Isla and their five children, Rangi, Anna, Joshua, Ron and Wally, as they navigate managing a farm, as well as loss, transition, identity, faith, estrangement and legacy-building. Loosely based on the author's great-grandparents, What the Bird Sees in Flight offers a creative perspective on the complexity of family relationships and the desire for belonging we all carry. --- Joseph R. Goodall was born in Auckland, New Zealand and spent his childhood in Florida. An engineer by trade, Goodall's writing focuses on the intersection of human relationships, place making and the environment. He lives in Atlanta with his wife. " The best kind of historical fiction ...gave me an understanding and perspective for [the average person's] struggles that I never knew I needed." " Thoughtful and genuine...with wit and realism ...the stories had me reflecting on memories within my own family, and I imagine the effect will be the same for other readers." "There's a seed of genuine familial love that comes out occasionally, but most of the time, it's buried beneath a begrudging tolerance... I feel rewarded when I get to the speck of love...well written, good sense of place ." Joseph R. Goodall was born in Auckland, New Zealand and spent his childhood in Florida. Inspired by books combining science, history and creative story-telling, he wrote and illustrated his own stories from an early age. A big backyard, close-knit extended family, and involvement in community service efforts all shaped his love of building relationships and exploring cities, parks and nature trails. Humanitarian aid efforts have taken him on trips to Bolivia, India and Haiti, deepening his curiosity about the significance of place-making, the way people live, and how to develop cross-cultural partnerships. A licensed engineer with a degree from the University of Florida, he has worked in land development for over five years, preparing site designs for housing communities, office developments, parks and a wastewater treatment plant. His writing focuses on family, faith, community relationships, identity, and coming-of-age. Joseph and his wife, Becca, live in Atlanta, GA. For more information and updates, visit: www.jrgoodall.com.