In Mid-Nineteenth-Century America, when life sciences were not yet part of most college curricula, natural history books provided people with an understanding of their world, their national identity, and a basic appreciation of science. The Book of Nature explores the interactions between natural history literature -- especially illustrated botanical and zoological monographs -- and readers, relating the importance of these works in the transmission of natural history's practice and discourse. Margaret Welch begins her ...
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In Mid-Nineteenth-Century America, when life sciences were not yet part of most college curricula, natural history books provided people with an understanding of their world, their national identity, and a basic appreciation of science. The Book of Nature explores the interactions between natural history literature -- especially illustrated botanical and zoological monographs -- and readers, relating the importance of these works in the transmission of natural history's practice and discourse. Margaret Welch begins her cogent study by examining how the texts of naturalists such as ornithologist John James Audubon and botanist Asa Gray created the standard for describing and illustrating species. She then discusses how state and federal governments continued their tradition through the publication of survey reports, and illuminates the crucial role of amateur naturalists in promoting natural history disciplines. Welch traces the dissemination of nature as visual imagery from the monographs to other literary forms, including children's literature, sentimental flower books, and biblical histories. She also shows how books helped turn intellectual pursuit into popular pastimes, discussing the ways in which natural history affected other cultural practices, such as the incorporation of floral and animal motifs into art and handicrafts. The distinctive illustrative material and literary style developed in this period inspired Americans then and remain influential today. The Book of Nature offers fresh insights into both the roots of today's conservation movement and unexplored areas of our cultural history.
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Add this copy of The Book of Nature Natural History in the United States to cart. $6.00, very good condition, Sold by James Cummings Bookseller rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Signal Mountain, TN, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Northeastern University.
Add this copy of The Book of Nature: Natural History in the United to cart. $9.50, like new condition, Sold by Powell's Books Chicago rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Northeastern University Press.
Add this copy of The Book of Nature: Natural History in the United to cart. $9.50, very good condition, Sold by Powell's Books Chicago rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Northeastern University Press.
Add this copy of The Book of Nature: Natural History in the United to cart. $17.00, very good condition, Sold by BookHouse On-Line rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Minneapolis, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Northeastern University Press.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. Northeastern University Press, 1998; First Printing with full number line. VG+ hardcover in VG+ dust jacket. Binding is tight, sturdy, and square; boards and text also very good. Unclipped dust jacket arrives wrapped in protective mylar. From a private collection (NOT ex-library). Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Add this copy of The Book of Nature: Natural History in the United to cart. $29.50, new condition, Sold by Poverty Hill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mt. Prospect, IL, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Northeastern University Press.
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