Peter Harrison announces Conservation Edition of his latest book

My friend and colleague, the late Roger Tory Peterson, once remarked, “Birds are the most vivid and colorful expression of life.” That statement is as true today as it was when Roger said it some 30-40 years ago.  

Birds, and especially seabirds, continue to fascinate us with their beauty, power of flight, and breeding biology with lifespans that can even match our own. At sea, watching an albatross following in the ship’s wake, mile after mile, one cannot fail to be mesmerized and spiritually moved by the bird’s unspeakable grace and understated beauty.

Joining me in the massive undertaking of illustrating SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide, was the noted Swedish artist, Hans Larsson. Together, we produced 239 full-color plates comprising more than 3,800 figures. These included, in addition to the main figures, small-scale illustrations to help portray the minute and unique behavioral essence for many of the various species. I wanted seabirders to feel the foot-pattering of a storm petrel or grasp the imagery of the angled and bent wings in the wild and impetuous flight of a gadfly petrel.

During the 15 years it took to create this long-anticipated new seabirds guide, many people who saw the emerging art plates, noted that they were the very heart and backbone of the book. I was asked time and time again to produce the book in a larger format so that the full beauty and execution of the plates could be properly and adequately appreciated and studied. Thus, the idea was born to produce a limited and boxed, “Collectors’ Edition.”

Forever limited to a global print run of just 1,000 copies, I also decided to dedicate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Collectors’ Edition to seabird protection, thus The Conservation Edition was born. I have devoted my adult life to supporting habitat restoration programs, many with a particular emphasis on removing introduced, invasive predators. We have had amazing successes on South Georgia and Macquarie islands and are now setting sights on Gough and Marion Islands.    

Each copy of The Conservation Edition will be produced in a boxed 24x31 cm format and printed on Mango Satin paper (or equal) sourced from managed, sustainable forests, with all materials used conforming to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. Publication of The Conservation Edition is anticipated for the fall of 2021. Interest has been exceptionally high, and many copies are already reserved. Books will be signed by the author with a personalized dedication of choice.

If you are interested in being notified when we know more exact details of the book’s cost and publication date, please complete the form below to note your interest in The Conservation Edition.

A world without seabirds is a world unimaginable.