Pastorale: A Natural History of Sorts

by Jake Page

Essays discuss birds, pets, entropy, animal-human relations, grackles, plants, intensive gardening, dandelions, insects, names, technology, dinosaurs, wasps, and ghosts

202 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

Jake Page was a celebrated editor, science writer, and novelist who made complex topics accessible through wit and clarity. Though he never studied science formally, his role editing Natural History Books at Doubleday sparked a lifelong passion for explaining science to general readers. As science editor and columnist at Smithsonian magazine, he wrote with elegance and humor on a wide range of subjects, from aspirin to Zane Grey. Page authored dozens of books, including works on birds, earthquakes, and Native American history. His fascination with the American Southwest led to a mystery series featuring a blind sculptor-detective. Collaborating with his wife, photographer Susanne Anderson, he produced detailed cultural studies like Hopi and Navajo. His major nonfiction achievement, In the Hands of the Great Spirit, traces 20,000 years of American Indian history. Whether exploring anthropology or writing fiction, Page championed curiosity, clarity, and the belief that science was too important to remain only in expert hands.

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Lots of fun asides and excellent meandering stories. Very enjoyable.