The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg

Instead of reading a mystery or biography one should sometimes read a book on an obscure subject, especially a nature subject, to obtain a true understanding of the amazing things nature involves.After reading this book you will never look at any egg in the same way again.This book is an enjoyable education in just what goes on beneath the surface as a bird produces an egg, incubates it, and insures that it's species survives.

Who of would have thought that a book about eggs could be so captivating. Birkhead reveals the true beauty of the seemingly simple egg. There is a true poetry to what goes on in the making of an egg, you’ll never look at them the same, and may even find them beautiful! Birkhead’s writing is clear and concise, you don’t have to be an academic to understand him, plus there is a small glossary in back as a refresher.

This book is for intellectual exploration. Very helpful. Not a picture book as you might think from looking at the cover.

A cornucopia of information on birds' eggs - why they exist, how they are formed, where each part is formed, and so on until you get to the resulting bird. Interestingly written and well researched.

Simply a wonderful, informative, historical read on an area of ornithology and the human interaction!

What a wonderful, wonderful book. Never expected to get enthusiastic about an egg! Great reading.

Interesting with lots of information that I did not know previously.

Super cool book. Things I never knew.

Read this almost all in one go on a long flight (which sped by – so engrossing and enjoyable was the reading experience).Everything you ever need to know about birds eggs, and much you have never thought about, are delightfully covered in this richly informative and passionately written history of birds eggs – from the dinosaurs, to early Victorian collectors and on to crowd-funded 21st century research projects (plus everything in between).This is an easy to read treasure trove of information, research and historical quirks – I loved it.

The egg! One of nature’s perfect inventions.But how, unless you fill it with recipes do you write a full book on eggs?Not only does Tim provide us with a full 219 pages of eggy facts, he keeps us entertained for the full duration of the book. The egg is dissected from its outer shell to the innermost core of its yolk, covering its shape, colour, structure and perilous path from ovaries to nest. It introduces us to fanatical collectors and the completely insane ‘Climmers’ who hung off cliffs to steal guillemot’s eggs to order. You’ll learn about the importance of the albumen (the egg white – the bit you probably didn’t like to eat as a kid!) and the biological warfare it fights to keep the chick safe during its development. About how an egg breathes and the fact that it loses weight during incubation.Tim’s books are always a great read; scrupulously researched, well written and bulging with facts that will astound and entertain you in equal measures. If you buy one book on eggs this year, make it this one!

Heard the author talking about this book before it was published and got it for a friend. Before I gave it him I flicked through it and was quickly drawn in...it is a really interesting book about eggs and birds but written in a humourous light hearted way. I have asked if I can borrow it when he's finished with it! (and can I add I am NOT a bird watcher at all...he is though)

Gift for husband who loves this book - so well written. Prompt delivery too. Thank you.

Tim Birkhead has the capacity to make the detail fascinating. He writes with great lucidity to make the apparently limited topic available to a wide audience in all its facets. It is no exaggeration to say that the book provoked a few chuckles and the frequent exclamations of wonder: the pages on the Hoopoe's habits and adaptations are almost the stuff of fantasy.