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The Nightingale: Notes On A Songbird
______________________________
Come to the forest, sit by the fireside and listen to intoxicating song, as Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale.
Every year, as darkness falls upon woodlands, the nightingale heralds the arrival of Spring. For thousands of years, its sweet song has inspired musicians, writers and artists around the world, from Germany, France and Italy to Greece, Ukraine and Korea.
Passionate conservationist, renowned musician and folk expert Sam Lee tells the full story of the nightingale. This book reveals in beautiful detail the bird's song, habitat, characteristics and migration patterns, as well as the environmental issues that threaten its livelihood.
From Greek mythology to John Keats, to Persian poetry and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’, Lee delves into the various ways we have celebrated the nightingale through traditions, folklore, music, literature, from ancient history to the present day. The Nightingale is a unique and charming portrait of a famed yet elusive songbird.
Come to the forest, sit by the fireside and listen to intoxicating song, as Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale.
Every year, as darkness falls upon woodlands, the nightingale heralds the arrival of Spring. For thousands of years, its sweet song has inspired musicians, writers and artists around the world, from Germany, France and Italy to Greece, Ukraine and Korea.
Passionate conservationist, renowned musician and folk expert Sam Lee tells the full story of the nightingale. This book reveals in beautiful detail the bird's song, habitat, characteristics and migration patterns, as well as the environmental issues that threaten its livelihood.
From Greek mythology to John Keats, to Persian poetry and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’, Lee delves into the various ways we have celebrated the nightingale through traditions, folklore, music, literature, from ancient history to the present day. The Nightingale is a unique and charming portrait of a famed yet elusive songbird.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2020
28 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Sam Lee
2 books12 followersSam Lee was born in Hong Kong and migrated to Australia at a very young age.
As founder of The Social Way Program, he helps people discover and power up their inner friend magnet. He started his career in sales, working in corporate and real estate sectors, but after a few years as a top-performing salesman, he realised that he was living an unfulfilling life.
In that moment, he decided to follow his passions for event planning and socialising. This soon led him to mentoring, and particularly to helping those who struggle with making and developing deep and lasting friendships. Since then, he has been helping people uncover their social potential.
Sam has always found a deep sense of fulfilment through his social relationships, and teaching others how to broaden their networks has allowed him to spread this sense of fulfillment to others, adding new depths of meaning to both his professional and his social lives.
He works predominantly with recent high school graduates who are transitioning into the workforce, but he has found success with his program and his Friend Magnet Workshop with people of all ages and stations of life.
As founder of The Social Way Program, he helps people discover and power up their inner friend magnet. He started his career in sales, working in corporate and real estate sectors, but after a few years as a top-performing salesman, he realised that he was living an unfulfilling life.
In that moment, he decided to follow his passions for event planning and socialising. This soon led him to mentoring, and particularly to helping those who struggle with making and developing deep and lasting friendships. Since then, he has been helping people uncover their social potential.
Sam has always found a deep sense of fulfilment through his social relationships, and teaching others how to broaden their networks has allowed him to spread this sense of fulfillment to others, adding new depths of meaning to both his professional and his social lives.
He works predominantly with recent high school graduates who are transitioning into the workforce, but he has found success with his program and his Friend Magnet Workshop with people of all ages and stations of life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 7, 2021
For the first time this year, I finally heard the very weird sound that a nightjar makes. It is described as a churring, but it reminded me of the sound of the cicadas that you get all around the Mediterranean as the light fades. Another night singing bird that I am yet to hear is the nightingale. I have never been lucky enough to hear one. Yet. It is on the list to do at some point.
These birds fly up from Africa and as they arrive in Europe their night-time singing is one of the heralds of springtime. They have captivated people for thousands of years with their breathtaking songs. Sam Lee first came across them through folk songs. An accomplished musician in his own right, this connection that folk music had to the natural world felt right and helped him become deeply rooted in this music. He first heard a nightingale sing when he was invited by friends on a cool May evening to the Arlington Reservoir. As they walked to the edge he could hear something that didn’t sound right.
The birds seemed to breathe a musical condensation that dripped from the branches of the trees in inky deliquescence
They sat and listened for what felt like hours and they started to hear others responding to the song of the first one. They are small non-descript brown birds that are hiding in scrub and as it is nighttime when they are active, pretty impossible to spot. But his ears told him this was something magical, he was reduced to a childlike state, grinning inanely at the sound and he was beguiled and hooked.
It is the beginning of a journey that will take him back through the history books to the Greeks, discovering the places that they overwinter in Africa and tracing their influence in folk music, folklore and in the art they have inspired. This is quite a different take on the natural history books that are being released at the moment, rather than being a memoir about him, seen through the prism of the nightingale it is full of richly linked and intertwined anecdotes.
Whilst he is deeply concerned about the loss of the habitat that these magnificent singers need to be able to survive, there are strong links to his other interest which is saving old folk songs for posterity. I didn’t find the writing exceptional, but it is very readable and his enthusiasm for his feathered subject is limitless. What is exceptional though is his passion for these birds, along with the action he’s taking over the environment something that is very evident that he writes about in the epilogue.
These birds fly up from Africa and as they arrive in Europe their night-time singing is one of the heralds of springtime. They have captivated people for thousands of years with their breathtaking songs. Sam Lee first came across them through folk songs. An accomplished musician in his own right, this connection that folk music had to the natural world felt right and helped him become deeply rooted in this music. He first heard a nightingale sing when he was invited by friends on a cool May evening to the Arlington Reservoir. As they walked to the edge he could hear something that didn’t sound right.
The birds seemed to breathe a musical condensation that dripped from the branches of the trees in inky deliquescence
They sat and listened for what felt like hours and they started to hear others responding to the song of the first one. They are small non-descript brown birds that are hiding in scrub and as it is nighttime when they are active, pretty impossible to spot. But his ears told him this was something magical, he was reduced to a childlike state, grinning inanely at the sound and he was beguiled and hooked.
It is the beginning of a journey that will take him back through the history books to the Greeks, discovering the places that they overwinter in Africa and tracing their influence in folk music, folklore and in the art they have inspired. This is quite a different take on the natural history books that are being released at the moment, rather than being a memoir about him, seen through the prism of the nightingale it is full of richly linked and intertwined anecdotes.
Whilst he is deeply concerned about the loss of the habitat that these magnificent singers need to be able to survive, there are strong links to his other interest which is saving old folk songs for posterity. I didn’t find the writing exceptional, but it is very readable and his enthusiasm for his feathered subject is limitless. What is exceptional though is his passion for these birds, along with the action he’s taking over the environment something that is very evident that he writes about in the epilogue.
February 12, 2021
'The Nightingale' is principally about the human art that has grown up around the nightingale; while it gives an elegantly-written overview of the natural history of the species, die-hard fans of nature-writing may find too much of the human in it.
It works very well as an audiobook; the author has spent years studying and being immersed in folklore, and he sings several pieces in one of the chapters. I only wish that audio of the nightingale itself had been included!
There's a wealth of cultural history around the nightingale that I was not aware of, such as Beatrice Harrison, 'the lady of the nightingales' (frustratingly, a Google search will try to take you to results about Florence Nightingale if you don't use Beatrice's name). I enjoyed the fable about how the nightingale gained its song, though one such story would have been enough for me; the longer fable about an emperor in the Far East was perhaps unnecessary.
The contemporary edge to the book comes when the author describes the nights when he takes groups of people to listen to the nightingales, and he skilfully ties in his experiences with the Extinction Rebellion movement; here's a person who acts on his beliefs.
I learned less about the biology of the nightingale than I was hoping for, and I admit to being dubious about the author's claim that the nightingale's song had an "epigenetic" effect on humans (no citation provided), as well as his reliance on quoting George Monbiot; some scientific references would've leant more credence. Still, I cannot fault the author's passion for nightingales, and the tender, poignant message he weaves throughout the book about the risk that we may be soon be listening to silence.
(With thanks to Cornerstone and NetGalley for this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review)
It works very well as an audiobook; the author has spent years studying and being immersed in folklore, and he sings several pieces in one of the chapters. I only wish that audio of the nightingale itself had been included!
There's a wealth of cultural history around the nightingale that I was not aware of, such as Beatrice Harrison, 'the lady of the nightingales' (frustratingly, a Google search will try to take you to results about Florence Nightingale if you don't use Beatrice's name). I enjoyed the fable about how the nightingale gained its song, though one such story would have been enough for me; the longer fable about an emperor in the Far East was perhaps unnecessary.
The contemporary edge to the book comes when the author describes the nights when he takes groups of people to listen to the nightingales, and he skilfully ties in his experiences with the Extinction Rebellion movement; here's a person who acts on his beliefs.
I learned less about the biology of the nightingale than I was hoping for, and I admit to being dubious about the author's claim that the nightingale's song had an "epigenetic" effect on humans (no citation provided), as well as his reliance on quoting George Monbiot; some scientific references would've leant more credence. Still, I cannot fault the author's passion for nightingales, and the tender, poignant message he weaves throughout the book about the risk that we may be soon be listening to silence.
(With thanks to Cornerstone and NetGalley for this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review)
May 8, 2023
one of those books which has seeped into real life- the mehfil at the divinity faculty yesterday and the taxi driver early this morning on the coronation weekend and hearing my first cuckoo at rspb fen drayton.
Not sure I’m the biggest fan of Sam Lee’s narration but I appreciated the concept:)
Not sure I’m the biggest fan of Sam Lee’s narration but I appreciated the concept:)
Read
May 11, 2022DNF.
April 5, 2021
A delightful book with meticulous research balanced by a tangible passion for the subject matter. It delves beyond the superficiality of the romantic and ranks alongside the connectivity achieved by Clare. Only someone who both understands and appreciates gets this close.
March 12, 2023
I'm not a big fan of pop-science "biographies" (or pop science more generally, or pop history), which tend to make sweeping claims and forego citations, so perhaps this was always going to be a bit of a disappointment. Sam Lee is a wonderful musician, song-collector, and advocate for the natural world. I fell in love with "The Ballad of George Collins" from first listen, and I would love to experience one of his "Singing with Nightingales" evenings.
There are so many wonderful stories in these pages — Lee tells us about legendary British cellist Beatrice Harrison, who introduced BBC listeners to the nightingale via a 1924 broadcast at her family home in Surrey. Her birdsong duets were a phenomenon that persisted, culminating in one of the most moving passages in the book:
"The broadcasts of nightingale song continued, despite Beatrice's non-involvement, right up until May 1942. The BBC was broadcasting the nightingales for their annual performance when the drone of 197 Wellington and Lancaster bombers flying overhead on their way towards Mannheim in Germany caused concern. In the interests of national security the broadcast was halted immediately, in case it should act as a warning to the Germans of the planes' approach.
"However, although the transmission ceased, the engineers carried on recording that night, and six minutes of nightingale chorus with the steady thrum of the bombers behind it were made into a double-sided record. Side A had the nightingales singing with the planes flying over on their outward journey, and side B the music against the returning bombers — eleven fewer this time."
Accounts like this, which document the intersection of human and nightingale life, constitute the most interesting and affecting portions of the book. I loved learning that our knowledge of migration was confirmed only in 1822, when a German count captured a stork that had roosted in his chimney, despite the hunting spear lodged in his neck. (The spear was subsequently identified as originating from a sub-Saharan African tribe.)
Lee writes lovingly of nightingales, of their songs and syrinxes, of the human-induced ecosystem and climate changes that have led to the reduction of their numbers in the UK. His voice is poetic and passionate — and, alas for my ability to enjoy this book, often imprecise. To wit:
"New Zealand's moa birds became extinct between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, after eons of contact with the Maori settlers..."
Polynesian settlers are believed to have arrived in NZ in the thirteenth century. (There is a modicum of rat-bone evidence suggesting the possibility of earlier arrival.) An "eon" is a fuzzy term, depending on who you are asking, but this is most definitely an inaccurate representation of the interaction between the Maori and moa.
Lee also speculates about how bird migration and out-of-Africa human migration may have influenced one another:
"Could nightingales have forged their migration patterns alongside human routes northwards, or did humans follow the migration routes of our migrant bird neighbours?"
Well, spoiler alert, but the oldest passerine fossils date to about 50 million years ago, while the northward human dispersal is estimated at about 500,000 years ago — so I'm going to give my vote to birds, by two orders of magnitude. This is pretty common knowledge and speculation only serves to obfuscate the book's (and Lee's) strengths, which are many. He shares a number of tangible suggestions on how we might participate in rewilding, in lifestyle changes that will make a difference at scale, in really taking in the fact that apathy is harming the world.
It's a lovely and inspiring read for anyone less pedantic about language than I am, and I'd recommend it with the caveat that you not read too closely.
There are so many wonderful stories in these pages — Lee tells us about legendary British cellist Beatrice Harrison, who introduced BBC listeners to the nightingale via a 1924 broadcast at her family home in Surrey. Her birdsong duets were a phenomenon that persisted, culminating in one of the most moving passages in the book:
"The broadcasts of nightingale song continued, despite Beatrice's non-involvement, right up until May 1942. The BBC was broadcasting the nightingales for their annual performance when the drone of 197 Wellington and Lancaster bombers flying overhead on their way towards Mannheim in Germany caused concern. In the interests of national security the broadcast was halted immediately, in case it should act as a warning to the Germans of the planes' approach.
"However, although the transmission ceased, the engineers carried on recording that night, and six minutes of nightingale chorus with the steady thrum of the bombers behind it were made into a double-sided record. Side A had the nightingales singing with the planes flying over on their outward journey, and side B the music against the returning bombers — eleven fewer this time."
Accounts like this, which document the intersection of human and nightingale life, constitute the most interesting and affecting portions of the book. I loved learning that our knowledge of migration was confirmed only in 1822, when a German count captured a stork that had roosted in his chimney, despite the hunting spear lodged in his neck. (The spear was subsequently identified as originating from a sub-Saharan African tribe.)
Lee writes lovingly of nightingales, of their songs and syrinxes, of the human-induced ecosystem and climate changes that have led to the reduction of their numbers in the UK. His voice is poetic and passionate — and, alas for my ability to enjoy this book, often imprecise. To wit:
"New Zealand's moa birds became extinct between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, after eons of contact with the Maori settlers..."
Polynesian settlers are believed to have arrived in NZ in the thirteenth century. (There is a modicum of rat-bone evidence suggesting the possibility of earlier arrival.) An "eon" is a fuzzy term, depending on who you are asking, but this is most definitely an inaccurate representation of the interaction between the Maori and moa.
Lee also speculates about how bird migration and out-of-Africa human migration may have influenced one another:
"Could nightingales have forged their migration patterns alongside human routes northwards, or did humans follow the migration routes of our migrant bird neighbours?"
Well, spoiler alert, but the oldest passerine fossils date to about 50 million years ago, while the northward human dispersal is estimated at about 500,000 years ago — so I'm going to give my vote to birds, by two orders of magnitude. This is pretty common knowledge and speculation only serves to obfuscate the book's (and Lee's) strengths, which are many. He shares a number of tangible suggestions on how we might participate in rewilding, in lifestyle changes that will make a difference at scale, in really taking in the fact that apathy is harming the world.
It's a lovely and inspiring read for anyone less pedantic about language than I am, and I'd recommend it with the caveat that you not read too closely.
June 17, 2023
Really good! I loved learning about how nightingales are represented in different cultures - whether in folk songs, fairy tales or poems. There are excerpts and illustrations throughout - making it both a very physically beautiful book - and well fleshed out. Also appreciated that this is a call-to-action as most nature books are these days, because how could they not be?
July 3, 2022
I quite enjoyed it but it would be better with information about female song birds http://femalebirdsong.org/
February 14, 2021
Gut reactions: Three stars feels right for this [might go down to two with other NetGalley titles am reviewing]. RTC, but while some things worked, others not so much.
***Audiobook given by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
A bit left field for me as I don't normally read non-fiction (so not target audience), but as someone who does listen to non-fiction podcasts such as My Favourite Murder, Criminalia and Tenfold More Wicked, so I thought this would be a nice change of pace for me.
But this was very hit and miss for me. There are elements I really liked and I enjoyed [the myths & folklore about nightingales, culture elements such as Beatrice Harrison aka The Lady of the Nightingales and the talk about the environment and the author's passion for these birds and nature] and yet... there were elements that didn't sit well with me, one of them being him referencing Extinction Rebellion movement of 2019. While I understand and found his belief and his experiences interesting, every time they were mentioned, I always felt uneasy and slightly jarred by it. It felt, at times, he was referencing only Extinction Rebellion and it made me go "I don't want their manifesto. That's not why I'm audiobooking this" and wished for more reference points such as RSBP, the National Trust and Greenpeace.
You can't deny the author's passion for nightingales and his worry about their decline and, with it, the environment as a whole, but I wished for more out of this. It had such potential, and yet, it felt very hit and miss with said potential.
***Audiobook given by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
A bit left field for me as I don't normally read non-fiction (so not target audience), but as someone who does listen to non-fiction podcasts such as My Favourite Murder, Criminalia and Tenfold More Wicked, so I thought this would be a nice change of pace for me.
But this was very hit and miss for me. There are elements I really liked and I enjoyed [the myths & folklore about nightingales, culture elements such as Beatrice Harrison aka The Lady of the Nightingales and the talk about the environment and the author's passion for these birds and nature] and yet... there were elements that didn't sit well with me, one of them being him referencing Extinction Rebellion movement of 2019. While I understand and found his belief and his experiences interesting, every time they were mentioned, I always felt uneasy and slightly jarred by it. It felt, at times, he was referencing only Extinction Rebellion and it made me go "I don't want their manifesto. That's not why I'm audiobooking this" and wished for more reference points such as RSBP, the National Trust and Greenpeace.
You can't deny the author's passion for nightingales and his worry about their decline and, with it, the environment as a whole, but I wished for more out of this. It had such potential, and yet, it felt very hit and miss with said potential.
April 6, 2021
What a wonderful, wonderful book this is!
Full review here: http://bookerthanyou.blogspot.com/202...
I first came across Sam Lee's work and the Nest Collective in April 2020 when, stuck inside due to lockdown, I tuned into the Singing with Nightingales broadcast via YouTube, and I honestly shed tears at the power of birdsong and art coming together. This book brought all that and more, exploring the nightingale as both a bird and a poetic/lyrical/fictional symbol through stories, folklore, songs and literature. It also draws attention to the threats this bird faces, and finishes with a strong call to action. Sam's writing is beautiful, engaging - much like his voice - and the production of the book deserves a special mention too (gorgeous end papers, shiny stock, colour images, giftable overall look ans feel). This was a real treat to read, and I think I will also get the audiobook now, having read the reviews. Thank you, Sam!
Full review here: http://bookerthanyou.blogspot.com/202...
I first came across Sam Lee's work and the Nest Collective in April 2020 when, stuck inside due to lockdown, I tuned into the Singing with Nightingales broadcast via YouTube, and I honestly shed tears at the power of birdsong and art coming together. This book brought all that and more, exploring the nightingale as both a bird and a poetic/lyrical/fictional symbol through stories, folklore, songs and literature. It also draws attention to the threats this bird faces, and finishes with a strong call to action. Sam's writing is beautiful, engaging - much like his voice - and the production of the book deserves a special mention too (gorgeous end papers, shiny stock, colour images, giftable overall look ans feel). This was a real treat to read, and I think I will also get the audiobook now, having read the reviews. Thank you, Sam!
January 23, 2025
Wonderful. So zen - focused on one simple thing and explored all the connections - historical, musical, cultural - around that one thing. Original. Beautiful production.
June 28, 2023
I liked the book and I didn't like it. I liked the style of writing. It seems the author is pretty knowledgeable when it comes to nightingales. A lot of history is to be found in the book as well which I liked.
What bothered me most was the fact that first he writes about a species of deer that was introduced in the UK in the 20th century. Because there are no large predators in the UK anymore and not many people want to eat the deer they've become a problem because of there being too many of them. They feed on low shrubbery which is partly causing the decline of nightingales. Then he writes about Xtinction Rebellion and how he was part of that in London for ten days. A few pages further on he starts promoting clothes made of wool!
It would be great if people who claim to care and who are activists start by changing themselves. One of the reasons predators where culled all over Europe and the UK was because of farmers including sheepfarmers. In The Netherlands sheepfarmers are complaining about the wolf that has returned because of sheep being killed by wolves. Not because they care about the sheep, but because of the money they are losing. Wool is, besides the animal abuse which should be enough reason for any decent human being to boycot wool, also very devestating to the environment. Pollution and deforestation to name just two.
People want change, but don't want to change. Well, Sam Lee is one of those people apparently. If you're an activist lead by example before you tell others what to do.
What bothered me most was the fact that first he writes about a species of deer that was introduced in the UK in the 20th century. Because there are no large predators in the UK anymore and not many people want to eat the deer they've become a problem because of there being too many of them. They feed on low shrubbery which is partly causing the decline of nightingales. Then he writes about Xtinction Rebellion and how he was part of that in London for ten days. A few pages further on he starts promoting clothes made of wool!
It would be great if people who claim to care and who are activists start by changing themselves. One of the reasons predators where culled all over Europe and the UK was because of farmers including sheepfarmers. In The Netherlands sheepfarmers are complaining about the wolf that has returned because of sheep being killed by wolves. Not because they care about the sheep, but because of the money they are losing. Wool is, besides the animal abuse which should be enough reason for any decent human being to boycot wool, also very devestating to the environment. Pollution and deforestation to name just two.
People want change, but don't want to change. Well, Sam Lee is one of those people apparently. If you're an activist lead by example before you tell others what to do.
May 23, 2022
I've read this cover-to-cover right after experiencing an evening of Singing With Nightingales with Sam and his guests in East Sussex. This is by no means a comprehensive ornithologist's guide to nightingales, nor should it be, but instead it's so much more.
With masterful storytelling and extensive research, Sam takes the reader on a journey of our co-existence with this bird, with detailed accounts throughout the arts (literature, music, fine art), old and new, unpacking its symbolism across Europe, Middle East, and Asia. He builds up to a call for eco-awakening, stressing the precipice of ecological collapse on which we stand as a society.
What I would have loved to see more was an inclusion of the rest of Europe and Asia when mentioning some key figures and visuals (e.g. migratory patterns, population density) which would not only make it even more relatable to non-British readers, but it would perhaps add even more weight to the dire situation in UK. That being said, he does a fantastic job at tapping into people's hearts in order to change the collective mindset of our role in nature protection, offering actionable hands-on advice and plenty of take-aways.
With masterful storytelling and extensive research, Sam takes the reader on a journey of our co-existence with this bird, with detailed accounts throughout the arts (literature, music, fine art), old and new, unpacking its symbolism across Europe, Middle East, and Asia. He builds up to a call for eco-awakening, stressing the precipice of ecological collapse on which we stand as a society.
What I would have loved to see more was an inclusion of the rest of Europe and Asia when mentioning some key figures and visuals (e.g. migratory patterns, population density) which would not only make it even more relatable to non-British readers, but it would perhaps add even more weight to the dire situation in UK. That being said, he does a fantastic job at tapping into people's hearts in order to change the collective mindset of our role in nature protection, offering actionable hands-on advice and plenty of take-aways.
March 25, 2025
I gave this read 5 stars because the ending was so good. A call to action against the loss of our natural world. The book itself doesn’t fit into a genre that I normally would read. It’s poetic, written with much emotion. I don’t even live in a place where I could hear a nightingale but I am still fascinated by the impact a small bird has had on many cultures of the world. The book has an excellent beginning and end. The middle is a collection of stories and poems and songs written about the nightingale. I largely skimmed and skipped this part because it doesn’t read through like a novel. Rather, I’d have to pick up one story at a time later on to really enjoy them.
I actually met Sam Lee last year at Woodford while on a birding tour. He is a genuinely nice person and I wouldn’t have guessed he was a performer because he seemed so unpretentious and interested in conversing with all us regular folk. After having heard him perform and wax eloquently about conservation and birds and nature, I was too intrigued and wanted to hear more about this curious bird. Hopefully one day I will have a chance to take my family to hear its evocative songs.
I actually met Sam Lee last year at Woodford while on a birding tour. He is a genuinely nice person and I wouldn’t have guessed he was a performer because he seemed so unpretentious and interested in conversing with all us regular folk. After having heard him perform and wax eloquently about conservation and birds and nature, I was too intrigued and wanted to hear more about this curious bird. Hopefully one day I will have a chance to take my family to hear its evocative songs.
March 5, 2021
An enjoyable listen as we hear about the history of the nightingale, its migrations and the folklore surrounding it (the author also includes some folk songs into the mix). This little bird, of beautiful song, is said to be heading toward extinction in less than 30 years if we continue taking from the planet in the way we currently do. Apparently, the nightingale returns to our shores on April 12th each year (give or take only a day or two) and the author leads walks to areas where there is a good chance of viewing the little bird. This audio also deals with current global climate issues that are destroying our bird and wildlife as their natural habitat gets rapidly destroyed. Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for my copy.
March 23, 2021
A lovely little novel all about The Nightingale, and Lee's connection and love to the bird, entwined with history, folklore, myths and literature makes for a really fascinating listen, whether super interested in nature writing or otherwise. It's almost a bridge between pure nature writing to a novel. If you're interested in this read, I definitely recommend the audio version, Lee narrates beautifully, plus it brings the folk-songs and the poetry to life. I loved the singing and musical section. I've been trying really hard to seek out nightingales in the countryside since I started reading this. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK Audio and Sam Lee for an eAlc copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
I listened to the audio book, and I think I got more out of the book due to this as the songs and stories came to life with a tune. The book is an appreciation of the nightingale bird. It mentions facts, stories, and legends of the bird and the human and historical associations with it as well as a bit on conservation and preservation of its environment before its endangered. The main thing missing however was the song of the bird! This was the perfect opportunity to include this as I don’t think I’ve ever heard one before. However, I do recall Lumiere London in early 2019 I think with some art installation in Berkeley Square with birdsong and illuminated birds.
January 20, 2022
The sections devoted to the nightingale’s cultural influence and inspiration were interesting to me and indeed why I wanted to read this book. However, there was not enough of that for me and I might have enjoyed the book more had there been more retelling of stories, song and poem transcripts. So, it felt, the book was a broader exploration of how the nightingale’s diminishing numbers signify a wider emergency. This is worth stating but was repeated throughout the book, and there is no overstating such an emergency, except that the reader knows this and wishes for more story, storytelling and song. It felt the writer never got to grips with just why the nightingale’s influence persists.
June 10, 2023
A sweet adventure through all that the Nightingale has inspired.
From its inspiration in music, poetry, and stories. To its nesting habitat and migratory patterns.
This story unveils the mystique and wonder of this sweet bird and its place in our world.
This collection takes the reader on a journey through history, and across the world.
Most importantly it is a call to action. A call to save our environment. A call to contribute ones skills, knowledge, and resources to help recover our natural resources.
From its inspiration in music, poetry, and stories. To its nesting habitat and migratory patterns.
This story unveils the mystique and wonder of this sweet bird and its place in our world.
This collection takes the reader on a journey through history, and across the world.
Most importantly it is a call to action. A call to save our environment. A call to contribute ones skills, knowledge, and resources to help recover our natural resources.
December 27, 2023
This is a love letter to the nightingale. Part memoir, part conservation advocacy, and part historical folklore, Lee’s adoration of this fascinating bird is on every page of this book. While it’s less scientific than I expected the book to be, it’s full of heart and love for the nightingale and the unknown, uncertain future of the species.
I enjoyed the poems and songs the best, looking back into the history of humanity and the nightingale. And while it wasn’t exactly what I had thought it would be, Lee inspired a curiosity of my own local wildlife and bird conservation.
I enjoyed the poems and songs the best, looking back into the history of humanity and the nightingale. And while it wasn’t exactly what I had thought it would be, Lee inspired a curiosity of my own local wildlife and bird conservation.
June 22, 2021
In this book Lee succeeds extravagantly in revealing an indebtedness we have to the nightingale for its gift of music and for the creative stimulus it provides for many moods from the amorous, the awestruck to the deeply melancholic.
My full review is in the Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...
My full review is in the Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...
October 19, 2025
Sam Lee is just simply so wonderful one would even read a book about nightingles written by him! His comparison of this endangered bird species and the dying folksong tradition of the Gipsy and Traveller communities in the UK and Ireland is beautifully sad. It's thanks to the heroic work of people like Lee that we get to know about them and maybe do something to protect them before it's too late.
March 24, 2022
A gorgeous idea for a book. The reader of the audiobook had a lovely voice but whilst listening, I kept finding myself distracted or losing chunks of what had been said because I couldn't get engaged enough with it to pay proper attention.
[Free copy kindly provided by NetGallery in return for my honest review]
[Free copy kindly provided by NetGallery in return for my honest review]
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June 1, 2025I really enjoyed the folklore, stories, poems and songs - especially good on audiobook. Lots of great info and facts about nightingales too. I was less into the more how-to aspect of the book. Maybe there wasnt quite enough material for a full nightingale book. Still enjoyable written and read and made me feel extra lucky to live somewhere where nightingales are still present
March 12, 2025
Rather beautiful description of one master singer by a fellow professional. Lots of background of how nightingales come to be here, what has recently stopped them, and of the cultural importance of their song to the national story.
August 20, 2021
Absolutely loved this book beautifully written and inspiring, would love to go on one of Sam's nightingale walks
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September 8, 2021Beautiful. Stirred my soul.
February 23, 2022
obsessed obsessed obsessed!!!!! in LOVE with the way nature works & how beautiful and pure it is
i NEED to go nightingale watching now i’ve fallen in love with nature & literature even more now
i NEED to go nightingale watching now i’ve fallen in love with nature & literature even more now
May 29, 2024
Beautiful. Great book to read while listening to his records too.
July 23, 2024
Lovely book about the nightingale - about its habitat, habits, evolution. Also the legends which surround this elusive bird.
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