Rare Books Ways of Nature John Burroughs Vol Xl Wake Robin Edition from Complete Writings, 1924 Wise Publishing Nature Meditation Gift Books

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 279 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 Ways of Nature by John Burroughs, Volume 11 from the Wake Robin Edition The Complete Writings of Burroughs 1924 Wise Publishing. Frontispiece photo of Mr Burroughs spotting a bird in the field. From the preface; "My reader will find this volume quite a departure in certain ways from the tone and spirit of my previous books, especially in regard to the subject of animal intelligence". He continues that he has often made too much of animal observations, giving creatures more "sense" than they really possess. All nature lovers have a tendency to do this, he states. Other naturalists have over-exaggerated wildlife that he set out to examine animal life in a different way than usual. He ends the preface hoping the reader is bound to love animals more after his observations and recordings. Chapters include; The Ways of Nature, Bird Songs, The Wit of a Duck, Devious Paths, A Beaver's Reason, and subchapters under "Gathered by the Way" of Mimicry, The Robin, The Crow, Astonished Porcupine and more.

Thank you for visiting Bobbis Bookstore !!