Bug music: how insects gave us rhythm and noise.
New York: St Martin's Press, 2013. Octavo, dustwrapper, black and white photographs and illustrations.
In looking at cicadas, as well as other humming, clicking, and thrumming insects, this book considers the radical notion that humans got our idea of rhythm, synchronization, and dance from the world of insect sounds that surrounded our species during the millions of years over which we evolved. Rothenberg explores a unique part of our relationship with nature and sound - the music of insects that has provided a soundtrack for humanity throughout the history of our species
This book continues Rothenberg's research and writing on the relationship between human and animal music, and it follows him as he explores the exotic insect markets in Shanghai, plays his saxophone with crickets and other insects, and confers with researchers and scientists nationwide.