Via the Smithsonian Institution, an exploration of the growing friction between the research and outreach functions of museums in the 21st century. Describing participant observation and historical research at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History as it prepared for its largest-ever exhibit renovation, Deep Time, the author provides a grounded perspective on the inner-workings of the world’s largest natural history museum and the social processes of communicating science to the public. From the introduction: In exhibit projects, the tension plays out between curatorial staff—academic, research, or scientific staff charged with content—and exhibitions, public engagement, or educational staff—which I broadly group together as “audience advocates” charged with translating content for a broader public. I have heard Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the NMNH, say many times that if you look at dinosaur halls at different museums across the country, you can see whether the curators or the exhibits staff has “won.” At the American Museum of Natural History in New York, it was the curators. The hall is stark white and organized by phylogeny—or the evolutionary relationships of species—with simple, albeit long, text panels. At the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Johnson will tell you, it was the “exhibits people.” The hall is story driven and chronologically organized, full of big graphic prints, bold fonts, immersive and interactive spaces, and touchscreens. At the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where Johnson had previously been vice president and chief curator, “we actually fought to a draw.” That, he says, is the best outcome; a win on either side skews the final product too extremely in one direction or the other. This creative tension, when based on mutual respect, is often what makes good exhibitions.

Revised edition They don't exist in the wild anymore--but they continue to thrive in this fun-filled activity book, which has been reissued thanks to the strength of its original sales. Children will be excited to meet such favorite creatures as the Atlas Bear, Saber-toothed Tiger, Eastern Bison, Dodo, Toolache Wallaby, and other animals that have slipped into oblivion. For each, there's information on where it lived and when the last one died; how to pronounce its name; a description of its coloring, and why it disappeared.

Hailed as "a feast" (Washington Post) and "a modern-day bestiary" (The New Yorker), Stephen Asma's On Monsters is a wide-ranging cultural and conceptual history of monsters--how they have evolved over time, what functions they have served for us, and what shapes they are likely to take in the future. Beginning at the time of Alexander the Great, the monsters come fast and furious--Behemoth and Leviathan, Gog and Magog, Satan and his demons, Grendel and Frankenstein, circus freaks and headless children, right up to the serial killers and terrorists of today and the post-human cyborgs of tomorrow. Monsters embody our deepest anxieties and vulnerabilities, Asma argues, but they also symbolize the mysterious and incoherent territory beyond the safe enclosures of rational thought. Exploring sources as diverse as philosophical treatises, scientific notebooks, and novels, Asma unravels traditional monster stories for the clues they offer about the inner logic of an era's fears and fascinations. In doing so, he illuminates the many ways monsters have become repositories for those human qualities that must be repudiated, externalized, and defeated.

The Complete Harvard Classics - ALL 71 Volumes, stands as a monumental anthology that embarks on an epic journey through the annals of world literature, philosophy, and science. This collection is distinguished by its diverse array of literary styles, embracing works from ancient tracts to the prose of the Enlightenment and the poetry of the Romantic era. The anthology skillfully intertwines the dynamics of literary form, thematic depth, and historical context, offering readers an unparalleled vista into human thought and creativity. Among its pages, standout pieces across civilizations and centuries coalesce, forming a dialogue that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries, reflective of editor Charles W. Eliot's vision of a comprehensive 'five-foot shelf' of books that could serve as a good education in itself. The contributing authors and editors, ranging from Homer to Shakespeare, and Darwin to Tolstoy, present a tapestry rich with the intellectual and cultural movements that have shaped human history. This anthology not only mirrors the evolution of literature and thought but also encapsulates the spirit of the periods from which these titans hailed. Their collective works, diverse in origin yet unified in their exploration of human experience, provide insight into the notions of identity, morality, and society. The anthology stands as a testament to the enduring nature of their contributions, aligning with various historical, cultural, and literary movements and fostering a deeper appreciation for the multiplicity of human expression. The Complete Harvard Classics - ALL 71 Volumes is not merely a collection to be admired from afar but is a vibrant invitation to immerse oneself in the wealth of knowledge and emotion captured within its pages. It beckons scholars, students, and curious minds alike to delve into its depths, offering an educational journey that is as profound as it is expansive. This anthology facilitates a dialogue with the minds of great thinkers and artists across ages, providing a unique opportunity to explore the landscape of human culture and intellect. Engaging with this collection is to partake in an ongoing conversation about the values, questions, and understandings that continue to shape our world.

In this groundbreaking scientific study, Charles Darwin introduces his theory of evolution and the process of natural selection. The seminal work went on to form the foundation of the modern understanding of biology and natural science. First published in 1859, On the Origin of Species presents Darwin’s scientific study of the process of natural selection. Illustrating his evolutionary theory and the interrelatedness of heritable variation and the evolution of humans, animals and plant life. Darwin wrote for non-specialist readers, aiding the book in reaching a wide audience. By the 1870s, Darwin’s theory of evolution was commonly regarded as fact within the scientific community. The book includes his own sketches of evolution to support his theory, as well as abstracts of his experiments and research. The chapters in this volume include: - ‘Variation Under Domestication’ - ‘Variation Under Nature’ - ‘Struggle for Existence’ - ‘Natural Selection’ - ‘Laws of Variation’ Preserving a key scientific text for future generations, On the Origin of Species has been proudly republished by Read & Co. Books, featuring a specially commissioned biography of the author. An essential read for those with an interest in the groundbreaking work of Charles Darwin and the study of the history of evolution.