It is a small book, by Richard Bach, with 92 pages, half of which are covered with photographs. But the message is huge. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is unique, one among the thousands.

   While all others were living to eat, Jonathan was living to learn to fly at great speeds, to reach great heights, to explore new lands, to control the speed, to experiment and excel, cross all barriers, all limitations —physical and mental. “Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simple facts of flight — how to get from shore to food and back again. For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating.”

   Jonathan was different. He loved to fly. His parents were worried at his waywardness, his disinterestedness in picking the leftovers in the beaches for a living. The elders in the flock were plainly antagonistic. He had no friends in the flock. One or two who wanted to learn were afraid of....