The Big Life

A mesmerizing true story of the drama that scandalized the ever-expanding world of birding, as one man's quest to be the first to spot 10,000 birds was turned upside-down at the finish line

Peter Kaestner is an American original: a family man and career diplomat whose pursuit of the "big life"—the quest to see as many species as possible—led him to every continent, out to sea, deep into the beauty of nature, and sometimes toward incredible danger. In 2024, Kaestner was on the verge of becoming the first person ever to see 10,000 birds. As the birding world prepared to celebrate, a strange obstacle emerged in the form of a surprise challenger: Jason Mann, largely unknown in the birding world, who claimed to be hot on Kaestner's heels. Suddenly, what appeared to be a coronation became a fierce competition. But who was Jason Mann? And was he telling the truth?

In this delightful and engrossing account, intrepid journalist Joe Trezza follows Kaestner's journey through the fascinating subculture at a time when birding is booming in popularity, drawing in millions around the world. A lifelong birder, Trezza insightfully explores what happens when a hobby tips into obsession; when the passion to explore intersects with a relentless desire to collect; when no extreme is too far for those seeking to glimpse Earth's rarest birds. The drive to assemble the biggest list leads some to dedicate their entire lives to the pursuit—and encourages others to potentially darker motives.

The Big Life announces the arrival of a wonderful new voice in the world of nature writing, weaving together a stirring appreciation of avian diversity and an eyebrow-raising mystery set in the rarified air of the world’s top listers.