Natural history, the deliberate observation of the environment, is arguably the oldest science. From purely practical beginnings as a way of finding food and shelter, natural history evolved into the holistic, systematic study of plants, animals, and the landscape. "Deep Things out of Darkness" chronicles the rise, decline, and ultimate revival of natural history within the realms of science and public discourse. Ecologist John G. T. Anderson focuses his account on the lives and contributions of an eclectic group of men and women, from John Ray, John Muir, Charles Darwin, and Rachel Carson, who endured remarkable hardships and privations in order to learn more about their surroundings. Written in an engaging narrative style and with an extensive bibliography of primary sources, the book charts the journey of the naturalist's endeavor from prehistory to the present, underscoring the need for natural history in an era of dynamic environmental change.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
"An engaglng writing style... Highly recommended." -- D.A. Lovejoy Choice "Anderson writes with infectious energy; he has a sharp eye for details and a gift for spinning a good story... This book is a great read and should be required in any course on natural history, ?eld biology, or the history of ecology." Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment
Auflage
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Produkt-Hinweis
Illustrationen
19 b-w photographs, 3 maps
Maße
Höhe: 229 mm
Breite: 152 mm
Dicke: 33 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-520-27376-4 (9780520273764)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
John G. T. Anderson is the W. H. Drury Jr. Professor of Ecology and Natural History at College of the Atlantic. He was the editor of Drury's Chance and Change: Ecology for Conservationists (UC Press, 1998).
Contents List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Adam's Task, Job's Challenge 1. From Hunter-Gatherers to Kings of Kings 2. A Wonderful Man: Aristotle and Greek Natural History 3. The Spoils of an Empire 4. An Emperor and His Descendants 5. New Worlds 6. Ray, Linnaeus, and the Ordering of the World 7. Journeys Near and Far 8. Before the Origin 9. Forms Most Beautiful: Darwin 10. The Geography of Nature: Humboldt 11. Hearts of Light: Wallace and Bates 12. Spoils of Other Empires 13. Breadfruit and Icebergs 14. Naturalists in New England: Thoreau, Agassiz, and Gray 15. From Muir and Alexander to Leopold and Carson 16. The Slow Death (and Resurrection) of Natural History Notes References Index
