A really great book!

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) counts among its professors an eminent specialist in those small nocturnal animals we call “owls” (as if their name reflected the pleasure felt at the mere sight of them!). Alexandre Roulin is a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at UNIL, and has been studying these animals for many years.

“To date, I have dedicated over thirty years of my life to the study of the barn owl. Over ten years, I have read more than 3,600 articles published in the most prestigious scientific journals, but also in local newspapers written in languages unknown to me. .” – A. Roulin

Anxious and eager to share the knowledge he had acquired through many years of reading, the ornithologist decided, a few years ago, to publish a beautifully illustrated book: “Barn Owls, Evolution and Ecology”(“Barn Owls: description, behavior, social life”).

“This book, illustrated by local artist Laurent Willenegger, is the synthesis of this work. We’ve put all our guts into this book, which combines science and art in an affordable format. This book is not just for academics, but for everyone who loves nature, and the owl in particular.

I wanted the book to be accessible. To achieve this, I chose not to clutter it up with references that would cut off the text. On the contrary, I’ve adopted a simple writing style in short chapters that cover every aspect of the life of this cosmopolitan owl: its origin, the challenges posed by its protection, its reproductive biology, its life as a couple, the social relationships within its siblings, the diversity of its plumage and many other aspects far more complex than I imagined thirty years ago. .” – A. Roulin

” Unce you’ve consulted the book, you’ll understand that my greatest pride is to have combined a scientific synthesis with the work of an exceptional artist. I’m sure his paintings and drawings will delight you, as they do me. “A. Roulin

It’s a legitimate source of pride, as evidenced by the fact that the journal Choice (the editorial arm of theAssociation of College and Research Libraries, itself a division of theAmerican Library Association) has selected this book as one of its Outstanding AcademicTitles. Outstanding Academic Titles of 2021: wildlife and botany in late December 2021. No doubt, like the editors of Choice or myself, you’ll be stunned by the beauty of the drawings, paintings and photos. Then, you’re sure to become engrossed in reading the information-packed text, punctuated by numerous references for the more passionate among you. It’s not impossible that at the end of your journey through this work, you’ll finally exclaim: “This book is really great!