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An illustration engraved by Robert Havell, Jr. and published in 'The Birds of America' by John James Audubon. Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images
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Holiday Gift List: Science and Nature
10 books about the natural world around us and within us, including the sensational "The Song of the Cell" / BY Nathalie Atkinson / December 16th, 2022
Our holiday list of books on nature, biology and the great outdoors explores both the world around and within us.
Obsessive Book Buyers: Zoomer editors have carefully curated our book coverage to ensure you find the perfect read. We may earn a commission on books you buy by clicking on the cover image.
1The Atlas of Abandoned Places The award-winning travel writer’s detailed tour of 50 forsaken sites – like the unmapped portion of the Paris Catacombs, Colombia’s Lost City or a desolate Russian lighthouse –captures a haunting beauty.
The award-winning travel writer’s detailed tour of 50 forsaken sites – like the unmapped portion of the Paris Catacombs, Colombia’s Lost City or a desolate Russian lighthouse –captures a haunting beauty.
2Explorer The intrepid English explorer examines nature wanderlust and his captivation with Papua New Guinea, as well as the circumstances that led to him being reported missing there in 2017.
The intrepid English explorer examines nature wanderlust and his captivation with Papua New Guinea, as well as the circumstances that led to him being reported missing there in 2017.
3Ice Rivers British glacial biochemist Wadham, director of the Cabot Institute for the Environment in Bristol, England, has led more than 25 expeditions around the world. Her firsthand accounts of the degradation of ice sheets and glaciers that cover a tenth of the planet’s land surface is a lyrical and accessible explanation that illuminates how crucial they are to life.
British glacial biochemist Wadham, director of the Cabot Institute for the Environment in Bristol, England, has led more than 25 expeditions around the world. Her firsthand accounts of the degradation of ice sheets and glaciers that cover a tenth of the planet’s land surface is a lyrical and accessible explanation that illuminates how crucial they are to life.
4In the Footsteps of Audubon Over 16 years, the French wildlife artist and biologist Clavreul retraced the 19th-century route that produced John James Audubon’s monumental pictorial record The Birds of America. A birder’s delight, each chapter covers a leg of the journey alongside more than 200 of Clavreul’s watercolours; noted ornithologist David Allen Silbey writes the foreword.
Over 16 years, the French wildlife artist and biologist Clavreul retraced the 19th-century route that produced John James Audubon’s monumental pictorial record The Birds of America. A birder’s delight, each chapter covers a leg of the journey alongside more than 200 of Clavreul’s watercolours; noted ornithologist David Allen Silbey writes the foreword.
5In the Name of Plants American-born botanist Knapp illuminates 30 plants with profiles of their namesakes —from the recent fern genus Gaga, named for Lady Gaga, to the lesser-known Eastwoodia elegans, a yellow aster named for Alice Eastwood, a 19th-century botanist — alongside drawings from the Natural History Museum in London, where she is an emeritus researcher.
American-born botanist Knapp illuminates 30 plants with profiles of their namesakes —from the recent fern genus Gaga, named for Lady Gaga, to the lesser-known Eastwoodia elegans, a yellow aster named for Alice Eastwood, a 19th-century botanist — alongside drawings from the Natural History Museum in London, where she is an emeritus researcher.
6Sacred Nature In this exhortation to discover our intrinsic connection to the natural world, Armstrong, a bestselling historian of religion, examines the spiritual aspects underpinning climate change.
In this exhortation to discover our intrinsic connection to the natural world, Armstrong, a bestselling historian of religion, examines the spiritual aspects underpinning climate change.
7The Song of the Cell The Indian-American physician’s history of great minds and innovations that refined medical discoveries is being hailed a masterclass in how cells function (and malfunction). The latest from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies is accessible and gripping, even for those who flunked high school biology.
The Indian-American physician’s history of great minds and innovations that refined medical discoveries is being hailed a masterclass in how cells function (and malfunction). The latest from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies is accessible and gripping, even for those who flunked high school biology.
8The Last Days of the Dinosaurs In her inventive narrative, the American vertebrate paleontologist – heralded as one of this generation’s most gifted young science writers – takes a look at the impact and aftermath of the asteroid that triggered mass extinction.
In her inventive narrative, the American vertebrate paleontologist – heralded as one of this generation’s most gifted young science writers – takes a look at the impact and aftermath of the asteroid that triggered mass extinction.
9This is What it Sounds Like To break down the effect music has on the brain and emotions, Rogers – one of the most successful female record producers of all time who is now a cognitive neuroscientist – shares close listenings of songs, and analyzes what shapes our unique music personalities.
To break down the effect music has on the brain and emotions, Rogers – one of the most successful female record producers of all time who is now a cognitive neuroscientist – shares close listenings of songs, and analyzes what shapes our unique music personalities.
10Trees Beginning in his 40s, Hesse – the Nobel Laureate author of Siddhartha and Steppenwolf – was also an avid self-taught artist. This is an elegant collection of 31 of his arboreal poems, essays and watercolour illustrations.
Beginning in his 40s, Hesse – the Nobel Laureate author of Siddhartha and Steppenwolf – was also an avid self-taught artist. This is an elegant collection of 31 of his arboreal poems, essays and watercolour illustrations.