A rare and beautiful selection of works handpicked from the vast archives of London's Natural History Museum. "The book's greatest contribution is to showcase the work of the artists who; usually under very difficult circumstances; so brilliantly served science and opened Western eyes to new worlds." - School Library Journal (on the original edition) Voyages of Discovery is a mesmerizing visual survey of the most significant discoveries in the history of natural science exploration. Superb artwork and photographs spanning three centuries document landmark advances made in the field and bring to life the fascinating stories of the explorers; naturalists; artists and photographers. The book is fully illustrated in color with informative text and captions. Highlights include: Sir Hans Sloane's 1687 voyage to Jamaica; where he collected and recorded plant specimens; including cocoa; which are preserved to this day Maria Sybilla Merian's personal journey to Surinam in 1699; where in brilliant detail she recorded butterflies and exotic insects Charles Darwin's fateful trip to the Galapagos Islands; on which he cataloged finches and fossils William Bartram's fanciful documentation of North American wildlife Matthew Flinders' mapping of Australia; where he was accompanied by Ferdinand Bauer; perhaps the greatest of all natural science artists. The Natural History Museum in London has the world's most comprehensive collection of natural science specimens and artworks. Voyages of Discovery offers readers a privileged opportunity to explore that collection.
#9783 in Books 2016-11-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .75 x 6.00l; #File Name: 1539586391330 pages
Review
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful. The most fascinating first person account book you'll EVER read about - and by - the German soldier in Normandy in 1944By John ClaytonAs a longtime travel journalist; and someone who was born in London back in the days when Great Britain was fighting for her life (WW2!) and because I've always been; well; "mesmerized" by various aspects of the Nazi "military machine;" I found this unique; intriguing; fascinating book totally awesome. I have countless books about WW2; and almost 98% of them are written from the British; American and Canadian point of view. Few are written about the German/Nazi view. To have a book like this in one's collection is a goldmine. The fact that these ARE first hand; unvarnished words from soldiers who were ACTUALLY there; is priceless. A cliché phrase for sure; but this riveting book is a "page turner." I read it cover to cover in 3 days. As it encompasses mostly the events in Normandy; it was for me as mesmerizing as a flickering neon sign; because as a journalist I've been to Normandy 5 times. There's another aspect to this brilliant book that makes it even more compelling - the words and thoughts comes from military men TEN years AFTER the event. Why is that important? Well; it gives the person relating his experiences; 10 years to think about and in many cases VIVIDLY remember; how awful; terrible and beyond comprehension; the fight was. How "mentally disturbing" it is to come face-to-face with the enemy; and know it is either you or him. Even if you are not interested in WW2; and even if you don't like the German military of that era; this is still a "Must Buy" book as it provides an absolutely fascinating insight into how human beings face being in combat. I wish there were many more books like this. My photo shows French schoolchildren visiting the famous Pointe du Hoc - June; 20041 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Some days life's a beach! :)By Flyover ScribeAn interesting concept and apparently well researched. Did like the construction of focusing on the individual beaches. As time passes; we can be more objective and less judgemental about the generations previous.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very detailed accountBy oregonbullyFrom the German soldiers' perspectives ... hearing the pre-invasion drone of Allied airplanes; seeing the armada at the break off dawn; enduring the heavy pounding from the battleships ... relentless.
