Worlds of Natural History

by Helen Anne Curry (Editor), Nicholas Jardine (Editor), James A. Secord (Editor)

From Aztec accounts of hibernating hummingbirds to contemporary television spectaculars, human encounters with nature have long sparked wonder, curiosity and delight. Written by leading scholars, this richly illustrated volume offers a lively introduction to the history of natural history, from the sixteenth century to the present day. Covering an extraordinary range of topics, from curiosity cabinets and travelling menageries to modern seed banks and radio-tracked wildlife, this volume draws together the work of historians of science, of environment and of art, museum curators and literary scholars. The essays are framed by an introduction charting recent trends in the field and an epilogue outlining the prospects for the future. Accessible to newcomers and established specialists alike, Worlds of Natural History provides a much-needed perspective on current discussions of biodiversity and an enticing overview of an increasingly vital aspect of human history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Natural History

655 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2018

Reviews

[Shyamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very broad selection of essays on the history of natural history. Anyone into history of science should examine this.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collections of essays spanning the length and breadth of the history of natural history in 2019, from Aztec/Mexica hummingbirds to David Attenborough films.

[Xinyi Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished these 600+ pages...amazing