The Wingless Crow

by Charles Fergus

The Wingless Crow joins together thirty-three superb short essays on nature, science, country living, and self. They are written by a man who—watchful, inquisitive, at times prickly—is animated by delight, wonder, and love for the rural places and wildlife of Pennsylvania. Charles Fergus wrote these insightful pieces for his monthly column, "Thornapples," which ran in Pennsylvania Game News magazine from the late 1970s until the early 1990s. They are based on many hours spent hiking, skiing, botanizing, and observing wild creatures, as well as trips to libraries and hours spent with books, teasing out information about the objects of his interest. The writing is simple and vivid, rendered dramatic through the delivery of carefully chosen details. Fergus scrutinizes a captured dragonfly and sees "a bubble of a hide through which organs glimmer." He recalls a night in a tent when lightning shook the ground. He tells about topographic maps and deerflies and auctions and poisonous mushrooms and crows. Propelled by an unrelenting curiosity, a wry sense of humor, and the tough heart of a born curmudgeon, Fergus is astonished at how little he sees at first—and how much, with care and dedication, there is to see. Readers will delight in his observations of and insights into the everyday life, both human and wild, animating the wooded mountains and farmed valleys of the author's central Pennsylvania home.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

I write a mystery series set in the 1830s in a rough-and-tumble county in backwoods Pennsylvania, where an "accidental" sheriff works to solve crimes while battling his own griefs and travails. My most recent Gideon Stoltz mystery, "Nighthawk's Wing" (Arcade Crimewise 2021), received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. It's the sequel to "A Stranger Here Below" (Arcade Crimewise, 2019), which just came out in paperback. I'm currently at work on a third in the series, with the working title "Lay This Body Down." The Gideon Stoltz mysteries take place during the Jacksonian era of American history, when our young nation was flexing its muscles and finding its identity.

Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, I now live on a farm in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. I love to spend time outdoors in all seasons, hiking, snowshoeing, and especially riding horses. I'm married to the writer Nancy Marie Brown. I have written many nature books, and my readers tell me my knowledge of natural history and wildlife helps inform my fiction.

Reviews

[Mps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over a decade ago I was an intern at the Penn State Press, and at the time one of the parting gifts was choosing whatever books I wanted from the collection (up to a certain amount). It may have taken me 11 years to realize I'd never opened this book, but it's been a truly delightful experience to finally read it. Each essay was beautifully descriptive and as relatable today as I'm sure they were when they were written (in 1978-1992). I spent the last couple of months carefully reading one essay most nights to allow this book to last, and though I am sad to have finally finished this book, I am positive it will not be for the last time. This book has wound its way into my favorites list.

[Kevin Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not offered 5 stars as a rating very often. In fact this may be only the second book to achieve such a rating. But my Dad offered me this book in paper form (I mostly read on my kindle) and I could hardly put it down.

The collection of essays smacked of Thoreau and On Walden Pond. And the personal history with the man wwho.gave the book to my Dad made it all the more special.

Fergus paints a vividly picture with his words. I have walked along many fence rows in my time and never experienced one lime I did reading one of the essays in this collection.

Find it. Read it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I defy you to read this book and then not long to go stump-sitting.