In the Crosswinds: Birds, Humans, and the Paradox of Place

by Eli J. Knapp

"A probing, big-hearted quest for belonging."


—Ben Goldfarb, Crossings and Eager




In the Crosswinds takes readers on a captivating and humorous journey from the woods of western New York to the jungles of Ecuador and the wetlands of Africa, exploring the complexities of land, movement, identity, and belonging.



Join ecologist and avid birder Eli J. Knapp on a quest to rediscover how to connect with the natural world. In the face of restlessness and rootlessness, we look to the birds of the world—creatures that are at once migratory and deeply connected to place—for insight and understanding.



With a rollicking blend of avian science and crackling narrative,
In the Crosswinds confronts the all-too-human desire to define our place on a changing planet—and reveals instead the wonder and miraculous beauty of being exactly where we are.

Genres: Nature

248 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli J. Knapp's third book, IN THE CROSSWINDS summarizes his thesis early on
and reinforces it often thereafter : " ......PLACE makes us who we are."

Chapters are brief. Each is headed by a stunning pencil sketch of a wild bird and
a scientific term Knapp will define and personalize. The terms relate to birds, navigation
and environment. The stories are anecdotes from his own experiences alone in
the wilderness or meeting with and learning from others. His hobby: rare bird sightings.

Each chapter ties itself up neatly. The next chapter builds on and refers to the previous
chapter. Often the settings for the anecdotes are all over the globe. The author is on
the hunt: to spot, photograph and make field notes on birds. He is dedicated. Often
obsessive . Admittedly, he has a lot to learn. Happily, he is never too proud to learn
from others or to let nature guide his path.

The globetrotting author ends the book in his own backyard in semi-rural Western
New York. A natural, self deprecating teller of tales, Knapp realizes that the discoveries
of a lifetime can come to most patient, observant souls without the need of a nap sack
or a camp stove.

[Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

With lush prose, irrepressible wit, and self-deprecating humor, Knapp delivers a marvelous collection of stories that is at turns hilarious and poignant, thought-provoking and sentimental. He draws extraordinary depth of meaning out of what many of us consider ordinary and unremarkable occurrences. The book is driven by challenging questions about humans and their connection to place - questions that are worth contemplating and enjoying in Knapp's soaring written achievement.

[Caroline Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother in law wrote this! It is the only ecology book I've read that can also be described as entertaining. Short, narrative birdy essays told by a goofy professor. Check it out if that sounds fun.

[Jeff DeShon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to inspire thinking of one’s place in the universe and the inevitable realization that one is just a blip on the passage of time and a small cog in the presence of place.