In the company of crows and ravens [electronic resource] /
John M. Marzluff and Tony Angell ; illustrated by Tony Angell ; foreword by Paul Erhlich.
- Yale University Press, 2005.
- 1 online resource (xix, 384 p.) : ill.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 333-359) and index.
Cultural connections -- A crow is a crow, or is it? -- Intertwined ecologies and mutual destinies -- Inspiration for legend, literature, art, and language -- The social customs and culture of crows -- Communication and culture -- Reaping what we sow -- Centering the balance -- Future interactions.
From the cave walls at Lascaux to the last painting by Van Gogh, from the works of Shakespeare to those of Mark Twain, there is clear evidence that crows and ravens influence human culture. Yet this influence is not unidirectional, say the authors of this fascinating book: people profoundly influence crow culture, ecology and evolution as well. John Marzluff and Tony Angell examine the often surprising ways that crows and humans interact. The authors contend that those interactions reflect a process of 'cultural coevolution'. They offer a challenging new view of the human-crow dynamic, a view that may change our thinking not only about crows but also about ourselves. Featuring over 100 original drawings, the book takes a close look at the influences people have had on the lives of crows throughout history and at the significant ways crows have altered human lives.