List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction: Adam's Task, Job's Challenge 1
1. From Hunter-Gatherers to Kings of Kings 7
2. A Wonderful Man: Aristotle and Greek Natural History 14
3. The Spoils of an Empire 22
4. An Emperor and His Descendants 30
5. New Worlds 43
6. Ray, Linnaeus, and the Ordering of the World 52
7. Journeys Near and Far 73
8. Before the Origin 91
9. Forms Most Beautiful: Darwin 103
10. The Geography of Nature: Humboldt 128
11. Hearts of Light: Wallace and Bates 146
12. Spoils of Other Empires 173
13. Breadfruit and Icebergs 193
14. Naturalists in New England: Thoreau, Agassiz, and Gray 208
15. From Muir and Alexander to Leopold and Carson 226
16. The Slow Death (and Resurrection) of Natural History 249
Notes 259
References 293
Index 319