Naturalist 25th Anniversary Edition

Naturalist by eminent scientist and naturalist, as well as a very good writer, Edward O. Wilson, is excellent reading, though much dated. The trade paperback book was originally published in 1994 and now reissued on its twenty-fifth anniversary. Should you already have a copy, there is no need to purchase this one. Wilson twice won the prestigious Pulitzer price that testifies on his writing and research abilities. Wilson declares on the first page of his book that he has “served as a close witness to fundamental changes in Nature.” The book is really a memoir, starting from his early age of three and the eighteen chapters are many independent essays. The topics are quite varied though the central theme is often science and Nature. For instance, in one essay he describes his years (at an early age of seven) at the Gulf Coast Military Academy. In many essays, Wilson spends much of the writing describing people he met in detail—friends, enemies and those he much admired. Many beautiful pencil sketches of illustrations (presumably by the author) are scattered throughout the text. Twenty-seven inbound black-and-white photos further illuminate his life from childhood on.