Nature's Memory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums

by Jack Ashby

A behind-the-scenes tour through the world's greatest natural history museums, revealing how their hidden secrets can help us in the fight against climate change

Zoologist Jack Ashby spends his life working in Britain's natural history museums, and in Nature's Memory he guides us through a series of extraordinary collections, from marvellous mounted whale skeletons and impossibly tiny insect cabinets to buried treasures in vast museum storehouses.

But look more closely at these all is not as it seems. While most exhibits succeed in communicating feelings of wonder and awe - a vital function when less people than ever before have access to the outdoors - Ashby argues that the version of nature natural history museums present does not always reflect reality, with specimens revealing more about the biases of curators than they do about the species they represent. Likewise, the ways in which museums have traditionally told the story of their own histories has disproportionately elevated the contributions of certain kinds of people whilst diminishing the work of others, often ignoring their complex colonial heritage altogether. But Ashby contends that these issues are precisely why it's such an exciting time to be a natural historian, for while society shapes museums, so too can museums shape society - for the good. And as we face the existential threat of cataclysmic biodiversity loss, natural history museums will emerge as indispensable resources in the fight against climate catastrophe.

Weaving together fresh historical research, entertaining zoological trivia and insider stories from Ashby's distinguished natural history career, Nature's Memory is a charming ode to the joys, eccentricities and planet-saving potential of the world's best-loved museums.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2025

Reviews

[Timshel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I have a special love for natural history museums. They are invaluable and don’t get enough respect. This book lovingly discusses their worth

[Delphine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

The Natural History Museum in London was my childhood favourite museum (I was a major dinosaur kid, so I went as often as I could). I’ve been so often that I know every single room like the back of my hand! Reading this book definitely brought back my inner child’s love of science and nature. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like that.

Jack Ashby is incredibly knowledgeable with a wonderful writing style. It felt like we were having a long conversation and he was telling me all sorts of wonderful things. I also appreciated the heavy acknowledgement of colonialism and how it has affected natural history globally. Overall a very happy book that made me feel smart :D

[Ruth Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would thoroughly recommend it, both to people who love natural history museums and also for those who wonder what natural history museums are for. Jack Ashby gives a first hand account of the varied roles of being a museum person working in the natural history sector and how and why these institutions acquired and still continue to acquire their collections and what they do with them. It’s a fascinating insight, with some eye opening stories.

[Carol Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile look at how Natural History museums have operated in the past and how things have changed. The author looks at inequities about what is in the collections, who gets recognition for providing the items on exhibit and how these things can be improved. There are fascinating statistics along the way.

[Zo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a revolutionary book on museums, natural history, and science. I cannot recommend it enough, Ashby’s exploration and valid critic on how natural history has changed and must continue to.

[Alex T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this behind-the-scenes look into natural history museums. Also touches on important issues regarding natural history (e.g. colonialism and sexism).