Hey there! Today, we’re diving into some intriguing books that I’ve read, which have helped me gather a wealth of knowledge. People often ask me, “What are you reading right now?” or “How do you know all this stuff?” Well, the answer is simple: I read a lot! Let’s explore some of these fascinating books together. If any of them pique your interest, I encourage you to give them a read.
Written by Stephen T. Asma, a philosophy professor, this book is both hilarious and informative. It delves into the reasons why we stuff animals and the processes involved. It’s a fun read that also offers a deep dive into the culture and evolution of natural history museums.
Authored by Richard Fortey, this book is one of my favorites. It focuses on the Natural History Museum in England, one of the oldest and largest in the world. Fortey, a brilliant writer, explores various departments within the museum, including plants, minerals, invertebrates, and vertebrates. He also touches on historical exhibits that have been removed due to their controversial nature.
Melissa Milgrom takes us on a journey through the world of taxidermy in this captivating book. It covers fascinating topics like the World Taxidermy Championship, a major event for enthusiasts and professionals in the field.
Although currently out of print, Howard Ensign Evans’ book is a treasure trove of information. It highlights figures like David Douglas, who has a fir tree named after him and led an adventurous life. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the discovery and naming of North American flora and fauna.
Dave Madden’s book begins with the work of Carl Akeley, a pivotal figure in modern taxidermy. It explores his contributions to the dioramas at the American Natural History Museum in New York, offering insights into the art and science of taxidermy.
Stefan Bechtel’s book is essential for understanding William Temple Hornaday, a controversial yet significant figure in taxidermy and zoology. It discusses his efforts in wildlife conservation, particularly his work with the American bison.
Rachel Poliquin’s book offers a detailed history of taxidermy around the world. It features characters like Walter Potter, known for his whimsical dioramas that depict animals in human-like scenarios. This book is perfect for those interested in the cultural aspects of taxidermy.
If you’re curious about taxidermy or natural history, these books are a fantastic starting point. They’re some of my personal favorites, and I hope you find them as fascinating as I do. Happy reading!
Choose one of the books mentioned in the article and read it. Prepare a presentation for the class summarizing the key points, interesting facts, and your personal reflections on the book. Highlight how the book contributes to your understanding of natural history or taxidermy.
Using materials available to you, create a diorama inspired by the taxidermy displays discussed in the books. Focus on a specific theme or historical period, and be prepared to explain your creative choices and the historical context behind your display.
Research a naturalist mentioned in the article, such as David Douglas or Carl Akeley. Write a report on their contributions to natural history or taxidermy, and present your findings to the class. Include visuals and interesting anecdotes to engage your audience.
Participate in a class debate on the ethical considerations of taxidermy. Divide into groups to argue for or against the practice, using information from the books and additional research. Discuss the cultural, scientific, and conservation aspects involved.
Plan a visit to a local natural history museum. As you explore the exhibits, take notes on how the themes from the books are represented. After the visit, write a reflection on how the museum experience enhanced your understanding of the topics discussed in the article.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey! We’re going to talk about some books that I read. I get a lot of questions about, “Hey, Emily, what are you reading right now?” and “How do you know all of this?” and “You’re really knowledgeable.” Thank you very much! I obviously didn’t learn all of this information out of thin air; I had to read it.
So, let’s go through a stack of books. These are the books that I have read to gather information for this channel, and I’ll probably reference them in the future. I encourage you all to pick them up, read them, and enjoy them if they sound interesting.
The first book is *Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of the Natural History Museum* by Stephen T. Asma, who is a philosophy professor. This book is both hilarious and informative, detailing why we stuff animals and how that process is done.
Next is one of my favorite books, *Dry Storeroom No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum* by Richard Fortey. When they talk about the Natural History Museum, they’re referring to the one in England, which is one of the oldest and largest natural history museums in the world. Richard Fortey is a genius, and this book is a must-read if you have questions about the departments in natural history museums. It covers various topics, including plants, minerals, invertebrates, vertebrates, and some historical aspects that are no longer on display due to their problematic nature.
This book, *Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy* by Melissa Milgrom, is also among my top favorites. It dives into interesting topics like the World Taxidermy Championship, which is a significant event in the taxidermy world.
Another great read is *Pioneer Naturalists: The Discovery and Naming of North American Plants and Animals* by Howard Ensign Evans. Although it’s currently out of print, it’s incredibly informative. It discusses figures like David Douglas, who has a fir named after him and had a rather dramatic life.
*The Authentic Animal: Inside the Odd and Obsessive World of Taxidermy* by Dave Madden starts with the work of Carl Akeley, a key figure in modern taxidermy, and details his contributions to the dioramas at the American Natural History Museum in New York.
I also want to mention *Mr. Hornaday’s War: How a Peculiar Victorian Zookeeper Waged a Lonely Crusade for Wildlife That Changed the World* by Stefan Bechtel. This book is significant in understanding William Temple Hornaday, a controversial yet important figure in the history of taxidermy and zoology. It discusses his efforts in wildlife conservation, including the American bison.
*The Breathless Zoo: Taxidermy and the Cultures of Longing* by Rachel Poliquin goes into great detail about the history of taxidermy globally. It highlights characters like Walter Potter, known for his whimsical dioramas featuring animals in anthropomorphic scenarios.
If you’re looking for something to read about taxidermy and want to learn more, I highly recommend any of these books. They are some of my favorites.
This has been an episode of the Brain Scoop. My name is Emily. Make sure you subscribe, and thanks for watching!
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Literature – The body of written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. – In her literature class, Maria analyzed the themes of existentialism in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.”
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – The science experiment required students to observe the chemical reactions between different substances.
Taxidermy – The art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals with lifelike effect. – The museum’s taxidermy exhibit featured a meticulously preserved lion that fascinated the biology students.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, the students debated the causes and consequences of the French Revolution.
Museum – An institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting objects of historical, cultural, or scientific interest. – The field trip to the natural history museum provided the students with insights into the evolution of mammals.
Animals – Multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that form the biological kingdom Animalia. – The biology textbook explained how animals adapt to their environments through natural selection.
Culture – The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. – The novel explored the clash between traditional culture and modern values in a rapidly changing society.
Evolution – The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth. – Darwin’s theory of evolution revolutionized the way scientists understand the development of life on Earth.
Flora – The plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. – The botanical garden showcased the diverse flora of the Amazon rainforest.
Fauna – The animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. – The documentary highlighted the unique fauna of the Galápagos Islands, including the famous giant tortoises.
