Jonathan Livingston Seagull: A story [Illustrated] [Paperback]

"Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight--how to get from shore to food and back again," writes author Richard Bach, in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight." Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes the story soar. Ultimately this is a fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe or neighbourhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan gets the ultimate pay-off: transcendence. Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness. The dreamy seagull photographs by Russell Munson provide just the right illustrations--although the overall packaging does seem a bit dated (keep in mind that it was first published in 1970). Nonetheless, this is a spirituality classic and an especially engaging parable for adolescents. --Gail Hudson

‘Richard Bach with this book does two things.
He gives me Flight.
He makes me Young.
For both I am deeply grateful.’
RAY BRADBURY

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the most celebrated inspirational fable of our time, tells the story of a bird determined to be more than ordinary. This bestselling modern classic, reissued with a beautiful new cover design, is a story for people who want to follow their dreams and make their own rules and has inspired people for decades.

‘Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight – how to get from shore to food and back again,’ writes author Richard Bach in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. ‘For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight.’ Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes this story soar.

This bestselling modern classic is a fable about seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe or neighbourhood finds your ambition threatening (at one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock). By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan learns the meaning of love and kindness and gets the ultimate payoff – transcendence.

The dreamy illustrations by Russell Munson provide just the right illustrations for this spirituality classic that has inspired thousands of readers to follow their own path in life and so fulfill their true potential.

Richard Bach personally relates the enchanting tale of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the bird determined to be more than an ordinary gull, determined to find a reason for living – determined to be free!

Jonathan’s story is for people who make their own rules when they know they are right; people who get a special pleasure out of doing something well, even if it’s only for themselves; people who know there is more to living than meets the eye.

His experiences are an adventure in flight, an adventure of the spirit, an adventure in freedom and joy – and a voyage of discovery for those who follow this magnificent gull in this lifetime of striving to know the meaning of kindness and love.

Richard Bach is the author of 'Running from Safety' and 'Illusions.'

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Richard Bach was a tactical fighter pilot, a motion picture stunt pilot, and flight instructor before becoming one of the world’s bestselling authors. His books include Illusions and Running from Safety.