'Succeeds – triumphantly – in articulating with great honesty what it is like to suffer with a mental illness, and in providing strategies for coping' Mail on Sunday 'Open, lucid and unpretentious . . . Harkness quietly, but very persuasively, makes the case for birdwatching (and wildlife-watching) as a counter to the stresses of modern life, and as a way of connecting with something larger than ourselves' Bird Watching Magazine 'A life-changing book' Countryman 'A heartfelt account of one man's return to wellbeing, and his love of nature shines through' Herald Scotland

'Fabulously direct and truthful, filled with energy but devoid of self-pity . . . I was impressed and enchanted. Highly recommended' Stephen Fry 'I can't remember the last book I read that I could say with absolute assurance would save lives. But this one will' Chris Packham ‘A manifesto for transformation, Bird Therapy is inclusive, unpretentious and evangelical in the best way’ Melissa Harrison, author of All Among the Barley 'This is a generous, honest and gently inspirational book, a touching exploration of the solace we find in neighbourhood nature. Beginners at birdwatching and beginners at life – all of us – can learn something from Joe Harkness’ Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles ‘An antidote to the stress and confusion of modern life. This is an honest, warm and positive guide to decompression . . . one bird at a time’ Nick Baker, naturalist and TV presenter ‘Nature cannot cure you, but reading this beautiful and honest book will take you very close indeed to the best things going’ Tim Dee, author of The Running Sky 'Gripping, funny, moving and at times brutally honest . . . One of the most important books I have read for a long time’ Stephen Moss, author and naturalist 'Bird Therapy is a real tonic; a prescription, a guide and a hopeful way to soar’ Nicola Chester, nature writer and the RSPB’s longest-running female columnist