This Strange Wilderness

The Life and Art of John James Audubon

De: Nancy Plain

Narrado por: Kristie Berger

Birds were “[T]he objects of my greatest delight”, wrote John James Audubon (1785–1851), founder of modern ornithology and one of the world’s greatest bird painters. His masterpiece, The Birds of America, depicts almost 500 North American bird species, each image - lifelike and life-size - rendered in vibrant color. Audubon was also an explorer, a woodsman, a hunter, an entertaining and prolific writer, and an energetic self-promoter. Through talent and dogged determination, he rose from backwoods obscurity to international fame.

In This Strange Wilderness, award-winning author Nancy Plain brings attention to the amazing story of this American icon’s career. Before Audubon, no one had seen, drawn, or written so much about the animals of this largely uncharted young country. Aware the wilderness and its wildlife were changing even as he watched, Audubon remained committed almost to the end of his life “[T]o search out the things which have been hidden since the creation of this wondrous world”.

This Strange Wilderness details his art and writing, transporting the listener back to the frontiers of early 19th-century America.

The audiobook is published by University of Nebraska Press.

©2015 Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Like Audubon's paintings, this volume 'glows with life.' A superb introduction to the life and times of a great American artist and naturalist." (Kirkus Magazine)

"A concise introduction to the naturalist's prophetic role in the establishment of the American conservation movement." (True West Magazine)

“This Strange Wilderness is like walking through a secret door into early nineteenth-century America.” (Candace Simar, author of the Spur Award-winning Abercrombie Trail series)

Great story for a road trip

Driving through kentucky, indiana, and illinois to St. Louis via I-64, this book was a perfect choice. Listening about birding during the turn of the 18th century inspired quick detour to see today's Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton MO.