The amateur naturalist

by Gerald Durrell, Lee Durrell

Now available in paperback, a practical guide to the natural world which offers advice on observing, monitoring, recording, studying and helping to conserve nature. First published in 1982.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Reference, Natural History, Animals, Gardening

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Gerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell was born in India in 1925. His elder siblings are Lawrence Durrell, Leslie Durrell, and Margaret Durrell. His family settled on Corfu when Gerald was a boy and he spent his time studying its wildlife. He relates these experiences in the trilogy beginning with My Family And Other Animals, and continuing with Birds, Beasts, And Relatives and The Garden Of The Gods. In his books he writes with wry humour and great perception about both the humans and the animals he meets.

On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.

Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).

Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.

Reviews

[Pieter Verwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don is an idiot. Possibly one of the best books ever produced for people who are interested in nature. Loved it as a child. Love it still.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the "Amateur Naturalist" over 40 years ago and dreamed of someday designing a natural history laboratory in the way of Gerald and Lee Durrell. Alas, the years slipped by, and my dream remained unfulfilled. And then, surprisingly, I embarked upon a new teaching career in math and science. This has provided the wonderful opportunity to turn my classroom into the type of naturalist sanctuary envisioned by the Durrell's. I experience much joy when student's stay after class to explore and handle the many objects in the collection, many which are newly added each year. I am reminded of the words of the old Anglican hymn: "All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all."

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Earthworms are incredibly numerous. In a meadow there might be over 500 in each square yard, which means that the worms in a pasture may weight more than the livestock grazing on it."

How can you not love a book that includes that quote? Really, that quote encapsulates everything wonderful in the book: interesting facts, an obvious enthusiasm for the subject and a brightly narrative tone. Loved it and so did my daughter. Looks like our summer just got booked!

[Sebastianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't want to return it to the library. Aleks said he covets this "to an absurd degree" -- and I too feel that it is so inspiring to have as companion before, during, and after nature exploration. Seeing it waiting for me upon waking makes me impatient to put it to use. Seeing it nearby when I go to bed makes me feel snug and content. Obviously I will get a copy of my own.

[Sulamita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melhor presente para iniciar o olhar atento e sensível de um naturalista, seja para uma criança ou adulto. Cada capítulo trata de um ecossistema próximo (um jardim, uma praia) e estimula o leitor a coletar folhas e compara-las, comparar estruturas de animais (onde vivem, o que fazem), temperatura e tipo de solo do local... Apesar de ter longas descrições sobre os ambientes norte-americanos (que não tem muita aplicação para nossa floresta tropical), é possível conhecer a fauna, flora e tipos de paisagem do clima temperado e comparar com o que encontramos no nosso jardim ou no parque da cidade. Recomendo! Procure num sebo e dê de presente para você ou/e para uma criança. Esse livro vai mudar o seu sentido de beleza da natureza <3

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this over and over and over as a kid. I highly recommend it for outdoor-minded children. Out of print.

[Aleks]

I covet this to an absurd degree.

[Exina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Amateur Naturalist is a great guide: very informative written in an engaging style. Highly recommended!

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Рано или поздно Даррелл должен был написать подобие энциклопедии. В том ему помогали многие, в их числе и жена Ли. Издание оказалось наполненным множеством фотографий и карандашных рисунков, где центральное место отводилось самому Джеральду, на чьём примере можно убедиться, как развить интерес к природе с юных лет, проведя детство с пользой. Следует изучать природу уже сейчас, так как завтра это может не получиться, к такому выводу Даррелл подведёт читателя. Мало изучать, её следует сохранять всеми возможными способами. Поэтому предлагается изучить поверхность планеты от океанских глубин до горных вершин, увидеть и прикоснуться к богатству животного и растительного мира, чтобы позже развиваться в наиболее заинтересовавшем направлении.

(c) Trounin

[Anieta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is what it's title says it is--diagrams, experiments, equipment for studying the natural world.

It is also fifteen years old now, and I question whether some of the experiments are still acceptable.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love nature study and was surprised I had never heard of this book when I found it at a used book sale. This is an excellent book with beautiful drawings, photos and anecdotes. If you are not a nature lover when you start reading this book, you will be by the end.

[Зорница Атанасова · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my most prized possessions. It contains everything you ever thought you'd want to know about conducting meaningful amateur studies of the natural world. It will surely remain one of my first go-to references for many years to come.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like gold! He describes various types of settings, as in what kinds of animals there would be, plants, soil and weather. But he personifies everything with his personal experiences. There is also a lot of directions as how to dry flowers, catch animals, etc.

[Belle Meade School]

574

[edmondegreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. My super old copy was destroyed in a flood a few years back. Need to get my hands on another!

[Simchah]

This book was very influential in making me an amateur naturalist and forager.

[Gennadyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

yet another of my top 10.
an extremely useful book that will take you through preparing for a discovery hike, materials and tools you need for many different nature explorations, give ideas for experiments and coach and guide your attitude towards the world around you.
great for biologically or "naturalistically" inclined children, parents and educators.
does a great job of taking you through the different environments one might encounter close to home, what to expect, what to bring, what to take back with you, how to preserve it or how to keep it alive.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book, truly a must have, I keep re-checking it at the library, it's so good!

[Janh55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My hero.

[Richard Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant,brilliant,brilliant.

[James Violand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent way to become immersed in the wonder of nature.

[Don Gubler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only for those who can't figure out what to look at or want a coffee table book to keep up appearances.

[Deborah McKown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference for the chronically curious

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be on every nature-lover's reference shelf. It's a pity that it's out of print, but cheap copies can still be found.

[Zia]

Absolutely a Must for all interested in Nature. Gerald Durrell is a hero of mine....captured my heart with his books on animals and plants and adventures.

[Ben Darr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy going out and investing the natural world. This wonderfully illustrated book gives great information on doing those investigations wherever you may be.

[Jessica Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sentimental favorite - I looooved this book as a kid.