Science & engineering
Birds Up Close: An Engineer Explores Their Hidden Wonders
By Lorna J. Gibson, professor post-tenure in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
MIT Press · 2026
A renowned engineer and lifelong birder, Gibson explores the hidden microscopic structures and engineering principles that keep birds aloft and alive, how an egg forms, how a bird generates lift, how woodpeckers safely drill their holes, and much more. She also considers the longer view of birds in their habitats and natural history. Her up-close look at avian mysteries provides a perspective like no other, for the expert ornithologist and curious observer alike.
From Summer 2026 recommended reading from MIT (MIT News). Cover image via Google Books.
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