Pelican /

Allen (a Uniting Church in Australia minister) provides an eclectic overview of an iconic bird, revered by naturalists and the laity, important in Christian iconography, and of interest for understanding popular culture and history in general. Accompanied by 100 illustrations, 78 in color, and well-researched throughout, Allen's engaging text is enhanced by authoritative chapter notes, a good bibliography, a pelican "timeline," and other apparatus. Devoting justified attention to the importance of the pelican as a symbol of "charity and the virtue of self-sacrifice" (p. 77), especially as personified by Jesus Christ, Allen also gives appropriate attention to environmental challenges faced by pelicans, such as the effects of oil spills and untoward persecution by fisherman. A few minor blemishes that do not diminish the book's value include the illustration incorrectly labelled "Catesby's Wood Pelican" (p. 108), which actually depicts not a pelican but a wood stork. Also, the "white pelicans of Florida" (p. 151) should have been called "American white pelicans." With its perhaps unprecedented focus on a topic of such wide appeal, this volume will be valued by students of various histories: natural, art, religious, literary, geographical, and cultural, both general and European. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers. --Henry T. Armistead, formerly, Free Library of Philadelphia