John Kieran (1892–1981)

To most Americans, the name Audubon means birds, in their natural colors. Bird lovers check every bird they see against the pictures and notes of John James Audubon.

Yet 150 years ago the friends of that young Frenchman had little hope of his winning success in anything. Such a charming daydreamer as he was, always watching birds and sketching them in the most minute detail! In despair, his father sent the boy off to America to manage a farm, little thinking that the birds of Pennsylvania would be so numerous and so distracting.

Debts and business failures piled up. Time after time Audubon moved on to a new business project. But in each new location there were new birds to study!

Each of Audubon's pictures showed a life-size bird in its natural color. So true to life was each portrayal that the birds almost seemed to breathe. He would make such a record of every bird in America, the artist decided. And to that end he drove himself day and night, walking hundreds of miles through the woods to sketch some new warbler or its mate. Through it all his faithful wife Lucy stood by him, patient and encouraging.

John James Audubon is the thrilling story of a man with a purpose whose monumental work has brought delight to millions of people.

From the book… (mere)