'Fascinating... we often hear a barn owl hooting in a stand of pine trees behind the house. It's an eerie, mysterious sound that never fails to enchant. And it is this enchantment that is at the core of this charming, deeply researched book.'
-- Guardian
'Ackerman is a warm and companionable guide, so enthusiastic about her subject that I suspect even the avian-indifferent will be charmed by her encounters with owls and the dedicated people who study them.'
-- New York Times
'With their largely nocturnal lifestyles, cryptic plumage and wary nature, owls can be difficult to locate, let alone study. But in recent years, discoveries about these mysterious and otherworldly birds have come thick and fast as radio trackers, infrared cameras, drones, audio lures, DNA analysis and even specially trained sniffer dogs have joined more traditional methods in unlocking their secrets. What an Owl Knows is an accessible, highly readable tour of these discoveries by Jennifer Ackerman'
-- Melissa Harrison, The Times
'Once again, Jennifer Ackerman has written a fascinating, fact-filled and wonderfully readable work of popular science - this time on one of the most mysterious and charismatic of all bird families: the owls.'
-- Stephen Moss, author and naturalist
'Ackerman's love for these birds is totally infectious... Long may they continue to fly through the darkness.'
-- Daily Mail
'A must-read for all bird lovers, Ackerman's latest engaging work contains a feast of revelations about creatures that have fascinated us throughout human history.'
-- Observer
'An absorbing ear-tuft-to-tail appreciation of the raptor that Mary Oliver, a poet, called a god of plunge and blood.'
-- Economist
'Important... The knowledge Ackerman marshals so skillfully comes from devoted ornithologists, and they are rightly honoured too... [What an Owl Knows] extends our circle of care... It all feels liberating, and has never been more urgent.'
-- New Statesman
'The author... invites us on her quest to discover why owls enthral us so much. She achieves this in a lyrical and easily digestible way... fascinating... Ackerman knows how to hold the reader's attention... We should all definitely give more of a hoot about their future.'
-- Country Life
'A scientific investigation rich in narrative detail. Her writing is at its most compelling when she lets her own delight and surprise at the birds slip through.'
-- New Scientist
'Ackerman explores their world from historical and scientific perspectives, combining new behavioral discoveries with personal observations from the field.'
-- Washington Post
'Immensely enjoyable... What an Owl Knows eloquently bridges the gap between science and popular assumption to brings us the surprising (and often endearing) facts about these legendarily mysterious birds. Forget what you know, or think you know, because the truth is stranger than fiction!'
-- James Aldred, author of Goshawk Summer
'Absorbing and exquisitely researched. Ackerman guides the reader around the world, carefully unpacking what it means to be an owl and examining the human relationship with these oft-misunderstood birds.'
-- Jonathan Slaght, author of Owls of the Eastern Ice
'Lively and informative... While her [Ackerman's] straightforward style enables easy comprehension for the science-phobic, there is lyricism too... Her sense of wonder runs through the book.'
-- TLS
'I loved it... richly detailed, wide in scope, written with precision and clarity... I won't be able to see an owl in the same way again.'
-- Stephen Rutt, author of The Seafarers: A Journey Among Birds
'A fascinating study of a captivating bird. I learnt something new on every page. Ackerman's book is a wonderful synthesis of ethology, wonder and passion for her subject.'
-- James Macdonald Lockhart, author of Wild Air
'Ackerman (our smartest bird writer) should do for hooting what a wave of octopus books did for slithering.'
-- Chicago Tribune
'A captivating and in places touching science narrative, this book is a hoot from beginning to end... Ackerman carefully balances these two facets: the scientific insights that she has carefully distilled from research papers and interviews, and the personal stories of those who study and love owls. As a result, What an Owl Knows is compulsively readable and readily accessible for those who lack a scientific background in ornithology.'
-- Inquisitive Biologist
'Jennifer Ackerman makes much of this mystery accessible; her explanations accentuate, rather than diminish, the wonder of owls... Ackerman provides a highly accessible account of all aspects of the lives of owls... guide[s] us expertly into the mystery of owls, allowing us to be further inspired by such wonderful birds.'
-- The Conversation
'[A] masterful survey... There's fascinating trivia on every page, making for a revelatory glimpse into the lives of the enigmatic raptors. Bird lovers will be enthralled.'
-- Publishers Weekly
'Always eloquent and engaging... Ackerman's latest vivid and compelling narrative is enlivened by her own passion for owls and her excitement over discoveries in the wild that show that, for humans, owls continue to be full of surprises.'
-- Booklist
'Fascinating food for thought for owl seekers and sure to please any lover of immersive treks into the lives of birds.'
-- Kirkus, starred review
'Charming and informative... The author's own personal field observations truly bring this work to life.'
-- The People's Friend
'A wide-ranging exploration... Ackerman ensures that the listener is captivated by her exploration of owls with her engaging performance suffused with enthusiasm and wonder... Ackerman's graceful plea for action and protection is clear.'
-- LitHub, Best Audiobook Pick
'Jennifer is well known for her books, such as The Genius of Birds, so it is no surprise that her new title fits that 'bill'. Everyone who loves owls will adore it, and anyone reading it who isn't already will become a lover of owls, because it ticks all the boxes. Jennifer has pulled together all sorts of science, research, observations and cultural and artistic evidence, and it has paid off with yet another first-class publication. I work with Barn Owls myself, and now I love them even more after reading this.'
-- BBC Watching Magazine
'[A] lively and readable guide.'
-- BBC Wildlife Magazine
