A Book of Natural History by David Starr Jordan

(1 User reviews)   3937
By Ava Marino Posted on Dec 26, 2025
In Category - Geographic History
English
Ever wondered what the natural world looked like through the eyes of people a hundred years ago? This book is a fascinating time capsule. It's not a dry textbook – it's a collection of stories about animals, plants, and the scientists who were obsessed with them. You get to see how our understanding of nature has changed (and how much we've stayed the same). It's like finding an old explorer's journal, full of wonder and a few surprising ideas.
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Author, poet, former editor _Atlantic Monthly_, Boston, Mass. The HON. GEORGE FRISBIE HOAR, United States Senator, Worcester, Mass. The HON. JOHN D. LONG, Secretary of the United States Navy, Boston. HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, LL.D., Author, literarian, associate editor _The Outlook_, New York. ERNEST THOMPSON-SETON, Artist, author, New York. JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE, Author, poet, and editor, Arlington, Mass. The REVEREND CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY, Archdeacon, author, Philadelphia. JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, Humorous writer, Atlanta, Ga. MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD, Historical novelist, Chicago. LAURA E. RICHARDS, Author, Gardiner, Me. ROSWELL FIELD, Author, editor _The Evening Post_, Chicago. TUDOR JENKS, Author, associate editor _Saint Nicholas_, New York. GEORGE A. HENTY, Traveller, author, London, England. KIRK MUNROE, Writer of stories for boys, Cocoanut Grove, Fla. EDITH M. THOMAS, Poet, West New Brighton, N.Y. CAROLINE TICKNOR, Author, editor, Boston. WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER, D.D., LL.D., President Chicago University. DAVID STARR JORDAN, M.D., LL.D., President Leland Stanford Junior University, naturalist, writer, Stanford University, Cal. CHARLES ELIOT NORTON, A.M., LL.D., etc., Scholar, author, Emeritus Professor of Art at Harvard University. HENRY VAN DYKE, D.D., LL.D., Clergyman, author, Professor Princeton University. The REVEREND THOMAS J. SHAHAN, Dean of the Faculty of Divinity, Professor of Early Ecclesiastical History, Catholic University, Washington, D.C. WILLIAM P. TRENT, Author, editor, Professor of English Literature, Columbia University, New York City. EDWARD SINGLETON HOLDEN, A.M., LL.D., Ex-president University of California, astronomer, author, U.S. Military Academy, West Point. EDWIN ERLE SPARKS, Professor of American History, Chicago University. The VERY REV. GEORGE M. GRANT. D.D., LL.D., Educator, author, vice-principal Queen's College, Kingston, Ont. NATHAN HASKELL DOLE, Author, translator, literary editor _Current History_, Boston. ABBIE FARWELL BROWN, Author, Boston. CHARLES WELSH, Managing Editor, Author, lecturer, editor, Winthrop Highlands, Mass. LIST OF VOLUMES VOLUME I. THE STORY TELLER Edited by CHARLES ELIOT NORTON VOLUME II. THE MERRY MAKER Edited by JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS VOLUME III. FAMOUS FAIRY TALES Edited by ROSWELL FIELD VOLUME IV. TALES OF FANTASY Edited by TUDOR JENKS VOLUME V. MYTHS AND LEGENDS Edited by THOMAS J. SHAHAN VOLUME VI. THE ANIMAL STORY BOOK Edited by ERNEST THOMPSON-SETON VOLUME VII. SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DAYS Edited by KIRK MUNROE and MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD VOLUME VIII. BOOK OF ADVENTURE Edited by NATHAN HASKELL DOLE VOLUME IX. FAMOUS EXPLORERS Edited by EDWIN ERLE SPARKS VOLUME X. BRAVE DEEDS Edited by JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE VOLUME XI. WONDERS OF EARTH, SEA, AND SKY Edited by EDWARD SINGLETON HOLDEN VOLUME XII. FAMOUS TRAVELS Edited by GEORGE A. HENTY VOLUME XIII. SEA STORIES Edited by CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY VOLUME XIV. A BOOK OF NATURAL HISTORY Edited by DAVID STARR JORDAN VOLUME XV. HISTORIC SCENES IN FICTION Edited by HENRY VAN DYKE VOLUME XVI. FAMOUS BATTLES BY LAND AND SEA Edited by JOHN D. LONG VOLUME XVII. MEN WHO HAVE RISEN Edited by HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE VOLUME XVIII. BOOK OF PATRIOTISM Edited by GEORGE FRISBIE HOAR VOLUME XIX. LEADERS OF MEN, OR HISTORY TOLD IN BIOGRAPHY Edited by WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER VOLUME XX. FAMOUS POEMS Selected by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH, with Poetical Foreword by EDITH M. THOMAS. [Illustration: THE CONDOR.] +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | _Young Folks' Library in Twenty Volumes_ | | _Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Editor-in-Chief_ | | | | | | A BOOK OF | | | | NATURAL | | | | HISTORY | | | | | | EDITED BY | | DAVID STARR JORDAN | | | | _VOLUME XIV_ | | | | [Illustration] | | | | | | BOSTON | | HALL AND LOCKE COMPANY | | PUBLISHERS | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xiii ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND FISHES xv BY DAVID STARR JORDAN. THE WONDER OF...

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Let's clear something up first: this book isn't a novel. It's a curated collection of writings from the early 1900s, edited by a famous scientist named David Starr Jordan. Think of it as a 'best of' album for nature writing from that era.

The Story

There isn't one plot. Instead, each chapter is a different adventure. You might follow a scientist tracking wolves, read about the strange life of a jellyfish, or learn how people used to classify birds. It moves from forests to oceans, from tiny insects to large mammals. The 'story' is really the story of discovery itself, told by the people who were there.

Why You Should Read It

I loved the sense of genuine curiosity. These writers weren't just listing facts; they were sharing their excitement. You can feel their awe when they describe something new. It's also surprisingly humble. They often point out what they don't know, which is refreshing. Reading it reminds you that science is a process, not just a set of answers.

Final Verdict

Perfect for curious minds who enjoy history or nature. If you like shows that blend science with storytelling, or if you've ever enjoyed an old nature documentary, you'll find something special here. It's not a quick, modern read, but it's a rewarding one. Keep an open mind, and you'll be transported to a different time of exploration.



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Linda Williams
1 year ago

I have to admit, the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. Highly recommended.

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