Rare Books The Breath of Life by John Burroughs from Wake Robin Edition of Complete Writings 1924 Wise Publishing naturalists book gifts

This is a good hardcover, 1924 Wise Publishing. Given the age of this book (100 yrs old), it is no surprise that the binding is cracked, BUT the pages are still tight to the binding, the binding has just cracked from the boards along spine. (see photo) Overall this is in good condition, a rare series published in 23 volumes as The Complete Writings of John Burroughs. When closed the binding flaw is not detectable but opened it becomes apparent. But there are no loose pages. There is light natural tanning to pages from age and brown spot inside front cover where store label removed (see photo). There is no serious foxing inside. Top edges tipped in gold gilt showing some wear but overall good. The olive green hardcover boards are embossed with design on front and have the appearance of leather binding although it is not. Rough cut page edges as often found in binding of the time. The hardcover boards are very good, clean and now showing much wear. Crown octavo book size or 5" x 8" with 203 pages.

John Burroughs was an Ameican naturalist and essayist. The first of his essays was Wake-Robin, published in 1871. He was less a scientific naturalist and more of a literary naturalist who recorded the natural world through his perceptions. His work reflects such.

This is Volume 17, The Breath of Life, from the Wake Robin Edition of The Complete Writings of John Burroughs from Wise Publishing 1924. From the preface: "As life nears its end with me, I find myself meditating more and more upon the mystery of its nature and origin, yet without the hope that I can find out the ways of the Eternal in this or any other world." The preface continues that he has spent many pleasant days in the hay barn or under the apple trees exploring such questions. Although he said he has not solved the mysteries of nature he is satisfied with his view of it.
Chapters include The Breath of Life, The Living Wave, A Wonderful World, A Bird of Passage, Life and Mind, Life and Science, The Arrival of the Fit and more.

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