A mesmerising visual record of the most significant natural history expeditions. It features superb artworks and photographs spanning three centuries that document advances and watersheds in the field of natural science. The stories behind these images – of explorers, naturalists, artists and photographers – entwine into a fascinating study of human achievement and natural wonder.
Among the many stories of adventure and great scientific endeavour are Sir Hans Sloane’s journey to Jamaica in 1687, James Cook’s perilous Pacific crossings and Darwin’s historic voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.
Hand-picked from the vast library of the Natural History Museum, London, the illustrations and artworks contained here form a rare collection, most of which are exclusively presented in this stunning book.
Tony Rice has a PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Liverpool, was curator of crustacean at the Natural History Museum, London, and for 26 years has led the deep-sea benthic biology team at the Natural Environment Research Council’s Institute of Oceanographic Sciences.
