Birding Under the Influence

More about the book

At a personal and professional crossroads, a man resets his life, finding sobriety, love, and 618 bird species while cycling his way through a transformative Big Year. Dorian Anderson, a neuroscience researcher, steps away from elite institutions and academic pressures to embrace his lifelong passion for birding. Undertaking a North American Big Year—a challenge to see as many bird species as possible in twelve months—becomes even more daunting as he chooses to do it on a bike while maintaining sobriety. As Dorian pedals across the country, he shares vivid descriptions of the birds he encounters while facing the challenges of long-distance cycling: treacherous weather, punctured tires, speeding cars, and injuries. Along the way, he meets eccentric characters, endures blistering blacktop, dreary hotel rooms, and even confronts snarling dogs and the haze of city traffic. He also grapples with his past struggles with alcohol, drugs, and risky behaviors that have haunted him since high school. This memoir offers a candid look at Dorian’s dual life of academic success and addiction. His journey to recovery is both poignant and inspiring, ultimately revealing how his love for birds and nature serves as the foundation for building a new, radically different life.