Ghosts Behind Glass: Encountering Extinction in Museums

by Dolly Jørgensen

How museums display extinct species—and what these exhibits say about us.
 
While it’s no longer possible to encounter a dodo in the wild, we can still come face-to-face with them in museums. The remains of extinct species—whether taxidermied, skeletal, drawn, or sculpted—stare back at us from display cases.
 
In this moving meditation on what’s lost and what endures, environmental historian Dolly Jørgensen visits natural history collections worldwide—from Shanghai to Philadelphia, from Edinburgh to Hobart, Australia—to understand the many ways that museums tell stories about extinction. She encounters extinct animals that are framed as cultural artifacts and as rare valuables, that are memorialized with lists, and that are brought to life through augmented reality. She draws our attention to creatures with prominent afterlives—passenger pigeons, giant moas, thylacines—as well as those that are less likely to be discussed or displayed. Throughout, Jørgensen examines the relationship between museums and the natural world, so readers can look more closely at exhibits about extinction, studying the displays for what is there, as well as what is missing. During a period of rapid species loss driven by humanity’s environmental impact, Ghosts Behind Glass asks what we can learn about our world from the presence of the extinct.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2025

Reviews

[giada · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about extinct animals and how they are portrayed in museums: how is their story told, how much is omitted, how are they displayed, which ones aren’t deemed worthy of a display of their own?

The subjects of this book are the animals of the sixth or Holocene extinction, the mass extinction event we are currently living in, caused mainly by humans - sometimes simply by inhabiting their habitat, most often by destroying it, by introducing competitive fauna to it or by poaching and killing.

The author tries very hard to sell the ghost metaphor, mentioning it every chapter, which made it seem a tad repetitive while I was reading, but she makes it very clear that she's grieving the loss these remains represent, while at the same time celebrating the life they had while alive, ultimately commending museums that share the history of extinct animals as a way to ensure we try to prevent further losses in the present and future.

The volume is complete with amateur photographs by the author herself of animals seen at different museum exhibitions, extensive sources AND notes to said sources.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of both natural history and niche topics so this book about endangered species museum exhibits hit me just the right way. It felt like visiting each museum as I was reading. I will absolutely be on the look out for the authors next book, and am putting this on my “books that would make good gifts” list. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not typically pick up books about endangered species and museum, however the title left me curious about the contents. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the museums through the lens of their thesis of understanding the dead. We learn so much from these ghosts in the museums and how our environment has changed without them. There was a lot to learn from the author with the authors pictures they had taken throughout their visits. The pictures were well paced with the appropriate text to compliment the picture. It felt like a lively discussion you would hear on a museum tour. We are haunted by the history we choose to ignore, and I feel like this is the sentiment the author was getting at by teaching us about these museum collections. A well researched read that makes you think about just how work is put into museum curations. Thank you, Net Galley and University of Chicago Press!

[Krystelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was a fascinating examination of some of the most vexing issues that face us in the modern world- the systematic extinction and difficulties in preservation of hundreds, if not thousands, of species. This book clearly took a lot of research and a lot of passion, and it gives an incredibly thorough examination of a number of species (not just notable ones) who have long since passed into the annals of history and no longer live beyond that.

While it is easy to be made incredibly sad by this book, it also bears a lot of interesting facts along with the other information, and there is a definite focus on cleaning up the narrative as well as providing at least some form of hope for the future. I found myself going down numerous rabbit holes in the course of the book in my own research, and I also found that the details of the extinction stories were really quite interesting. It was particularly nice to see a partial Australian focus too (regarding the Tasmanian Tiger) throughout the book!

I do think that there were some sections that could have used a little more additional information (like the segment on the Auk) that just provided a little more context for the animals prior to extinction, but I found that others were really thorough. I learnt about a lot of new species, as well as facets of the animals themselves that had passed into semi-legendary status over the decades (and, in some cases, centuries). This book was a great read, and I really highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in museums and natural history.

[Laura N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Typically, when we think of extinct animals on display in a natural history museum, we think of dinosaurs. But in museums around the world, tucked in storage or on display are "ghosts" of more recent extinctions. Some are familiar: the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, and others less so: the Japanese Sea Lion and the giant anoles.
in Ghosts Behind Glass, Jørgensen visits different natural history museums in countries around the globe, visiting exhibits displaying extinct species. I have yet to meet a natural history museum that I haven't loved, and feel strongly that habitat dioramas still have much to teach us, so this was the perfect read for me.
Jørgensen argues that, because museum dioramas imitate nature, they can bring extinct species to life. This allows them to "haunt" the viewer, making them realize that extinction is an ongoing presence and now something that happened long ago and whose impact isn't noticed anymore.
Ghosts Behind Glass is very well dont. the author visited a lot of natural history museums, so the points made in the book always have plenty of examples. Occasionally, it read like an essay: "in this chapter I will..." but it was only a momentary annoyance. There were instances where I felt she was a bit critical of museums when display plaques were outdated or they didnt share as many perspectives as she felt they should. Changes cost money, which is something these institutions typically are always in need of. I especially liked the list of museums and the extinct species they have that was shared ar book's end.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts behind Glass by Dolly Jørgensen is a fascinating look at species extinction, from causes and the animals themselves to how and why we display them in museums.

I admit I came to the book expecting mostly stories of how these animals became extinct, using their presence in museums as primarily a structuring device. And I would have been perfectly content with that. But Jørgensen gives the reader so much more. The stories are here but share the spotlight with details about how, and what parts of, the animal are displayed. How different museums handle telling museum goers whether the animal is extinct or not (this is not as easy as one might think). How extinct species are treated as both sites for mourning and sites for cultural connection/community. And, of course, the role humans have had is there being so many more extinctions than would naturally have occurred.

What makes this book such a great read is that these themes are woven into an interesting narrative that sweeps the reader not just from topic to topic but from museum to museum. If you're like me this gives you plenty of opportunities to go online and do a deep dive on species or museums that pique your interest.

Highly recommended for animal lovers (though there will be some very sad moments for you), conservationists, museum lovers and the casual reader who likes to learn about how the things we see and take for granted are put together for our enjoyment and education.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Sierra]

I really enjoyed this book - as a paleontologist studying diversity shifts in the Quaternary, this was right in my wheelhouse. I think it could've benefitted from discussing Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions and the debate over how much impact humans had, since this could be our earliest example of human-driven extinction and there is a ton of variations in how museums discuss it. I loved the idea of the photographs not being professionally taken as a way to show how visitors actually interact with the specimens, but I think it could've gone farther. It would've been really cool (but probably way too expensive) to have different artists show how they see different displays. I also thought the chapter about specimens not on display missed the mark. This would've been a great place to talk about the value of collections in conserving natural and cultural heritage, and tie it back to repatriation (which I really liked the discussion of). Overall, I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in museum studies or the consequences of climate change.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested an eARC of this book on a whim, only going into it with two facts:

1) I love museums and learning how/why they display their items a certain way, and 2) I’ve always been deeply moved and affected by the occasional story of an animal gone extinct. (That picture of the last Barbary lion gets me every time.)

This book is a fascinating exploration of how museums choose to preserve not just the remains of animals themselves, but the stories that illustrate the resounding impact of extinction. The author examines why museums leave certain histories out, why they display certain specimens in specific ways, and even how sometimes a bit of playful energy can make a greater impact than a simple skeleton. It’s clear that Dolly Jørgensen put so much time, effort, work, and love into this, and it’s a treat to explore the museums she sought out — even if it is only through a book’s page and pictures.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bee Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Fascinating Journey Through Museum Collections and Extinction 🦤
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐✨
I recently had the privilege of reading Ghosts Behind Glass: Encountering Extinction in Museums by Dolly Jørgensen. What drew me in were the details about specific extinct species and the fascinating accounts of "endlings"—the last known individuals of their kind. I had no idea, for instance, that not a single dodo feather survives today, feathers used in exhibits are borrowed from other animals; only a few bones and egg shells are the only physical surviving remains of species. These little revelations peppered throughout the book are absolute gems 🪶 The vocabulary word I learned from this book is vitrine. It's the fancy term for a glass display cases in museums. 📚
If you're interested in natural history, museum studies, or environmental issues, this one's worth checking out!
🌍A huge thank you to The Experiment for providing me with an advance reader copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review!

[Chantal Agapiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a forever learner, always curious to acquire new insights and knowledge about matters we think we know.
That’s why I was intrigued by this book and requested an arc to read and review.

The author visited many natural history museums to write this book, which is a guide for future visitors of those museums.
What stories are told?
What happens when you face those ghosts?
What techniques are being used for the displays?
This is an exploration of what the visitor sees while wandering down the halls and reading the labels.

As the extinct creatures live on thanks to these museums, discover their stories and links with us, humans.

Thank you for the opportunity, it’s been an interesting journey.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love museums and am always fascinated by the choices curators make in presenting material. The author of this book examines how extinct species are presented in museums, not only as material for scientific study but as representatives of human culture. The remains and models of extinct animals are in fact monetarily valuable objects. In some cases, collecting specimens of rare species for museums and private collections may have hastened a species’ extinction. The author writes in a thoughtful personal tone that encourages the reader to compare her many examples to displays they may have seen. Very powerful.

[✨Little Lit Lady✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has interesting points regarding the extinction of animals as the author points majority caused by humans. The author tends to mention ghosts behind the glass meaning the animals that became extinct and have become ghosts. It’s an interesting book if you like reading about museums and all that goes into taking care, preserve, and sometimes loose some of skeletons or fossils of the animals through different circumstances. The book does contain photos along with descriptions to each one in every chapter. If you like reading of nature and you like National Geographic this is the read for you. Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this arc in advance.

[Hannah Buschert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts Behind Glass is a fascinating look into the intersection of museum science and extinction. Jørgensen really revealed the intended and unintended meanings behind the presentation of these species in these spaces and what the viewer comprehends. The species mentioned in this book are only as old as the Dodo, so ones whose extinction is largely human-caused.

I thought it was a very interesting read with a unique perspective that kept my interest. It was well-researched and covered a variety of species that showcased the impact of humans. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting and thought-provoking.

[Alex T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving non-fiction about specimens of extinct animals in natural history museums. New favorite to be sure.

[Beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghosts Behind Glass: A Thought-Provoking Look at Extinction and Museums

Ghosts Behind Glass by Dolly Jørgensen offers a fascinating dive into the challenges of extinction and how museums preserve the memory of species that have vanished. Although nonfiction isn’t usually my go-to, this book really pulled me in with its careful research and passionate storytelling.

What stands out is how the book doesn’t just focus on the well-known extinct animals but also highlights lesser-known species, giving their stories the attention they deserve. The section on the Tasmanian Tiger, for example, was especially interesting and added a unique Australian perspective that I appreciated.

While some parts, like the bit about the Auk, could have been expanded to give more background, most chapters were thorough and informative. I loved how the author examined the role museums play—not just as places for scientific study but as cultural spaces where extinct animals are preserved as valuable objects. In some cases, the desire to collect specimens actually contributed to extinction, which is a powerful and troubling idea.

The writing felt personal and reflective, making me think about exhibits I’ve seen and the stories behind them. The book strikes a balance between conveying the sadness of loss and offering hope for the future.

If you’re interested in natural history, museums, or environmental issues, this book is definitely worth your time. It’s a thoughtful reminder of how fragile life is and how important it is to remember what’s been lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and the University of Chicago Press for the opportunity to read an ARC on this wonderful book.

Disclaimer:
As per usual, I include my disclaimers at the end so the readers are not biased while reading my review. The book deals with themes of extinction and environmental loss that might be upsetting to some readers.