Comprehensive if telegraphic in a form more accessible to experienced birders, Nat Geo has convenient thumb tabs to help you find major sections, and range maps that help you rapidly narrow down the probable species in your area at this time of year. If you can't find your bird in a specialized local field guide, Nat Geo is almost certain to have the right answer.

At first, it was difficult for me to grasp just how much care, research, and attention to detail went into the creation of Run: Book One. The art and storytelling are exceptional—I’ve wanted to read a story in which committee deliberations were not pedantic minutiae but thrilling drama, and here the world has that story. There’s enough explanation for readers born a generation later to understand the economic and geopolitical context, and it’s offered in a way that never hurts the pace.

But no undue liberties were taken with historical fact, which becomes clear in the 30+ pages of end matter in which the authors explain the lengths to which they went. In choosing the clothing people were shown wearing, they considered not only what year and season it was, but also the person’s age and economic condition. Same goes for the vehicles: not only the model year, but also how old of a car these folks were probably driving and how dinged-up it would look by then. They interviewed participants, and consulted archivists and historians, and even checked on the history of Post-It notes. And then they followed it up by impeccable citations for every source they used.

Now, I’m a librarian and a geek, so I’m inclined to love something all the more when it’s well-researched. But the story itself is compelling and complex, and it all really happened. My only complaint—and I expect it will be resolved by the creation of Run: Book Two and Three—is that this volume only leads up to just before the political career of Rep. John Lewis, ending with his decision to run. With the passing of Rep. Lewis, the surviving authors have lost their most important collaborator. But I feel certain, based on the scholarly care put into Book One, that those volumes will follow, and will not disappoint.

Wow. Perhaps tied with Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life” for the most-linguistic science fiction I’ve ever read, and language plays an even greater role here. If you think you can predict the ending halfway through, you’re entirely wrong. It’s a wild ride and worth the journey.

Inspiring examples—even if some examples are too extreme to be reasonable in any other circumstance.

Most of the chemistry is well above my head—no rocketry pun intended—because this literally is rocket science. But I was able to glean enough of the thought processes involved to enjoy the ride-along... especially when the author was recounting anecdotes about times someone did something that was inadvisable in retrospect.