Oyster (Animal series) by Rebecca StottAs everybody knows, oysters are the ultimate aphrodisiac. Casanova famously ate 50 raw oysters every morning with his mistress of the moment, in a bathtub designed for two. As well as an aphrodisiac, since the earliest times, the oyster has been an inspiration to philosophers, artists, poets, chefs, gourmets, epicures and jewelers. It has been pursued by poachers and thieves, and defended by police, and Acts of Parliament. In this book, literary historian and radio broadcaster Rebecca Stott gathers together the extraordinary history of the oyster and its pearl.
Fly (Animal series) by teven ConnorFly explores the history of this much-maligned creature and then turns to examine its newfound redemption through science. The secrets of the fly’s versatile powers of flight, Steven Connor reveals, are only beginning to be understood and appreciated. Its eyes and wings, for instance, have evolved so perfectly that they provide inspiration for some of today’s most daring technological and scientific innovations. And the humble fruit fly, Connor demonstrates, stands at the center of revolutionary advances in genetic research.
Falcon (Animal series) by Martin WallenThe fastest animal on earth, the falcon deserves attention not just for the combination of speed, power, beauty and ferocity that have made it an object of fascination for thousands of years, but for the light it sheds on the cultures through which it has flown. This book, bridging science and cultural history, surveys the practical and symbolic uses of falcons in human culture in new and exciting ways.
The squat, noisy duck occupies a prominent role in the human cultural imagination, as evidenced by everything from the rubber duck of childhood baths to insurance commercials. With Duck, Victoria de Rijke explores the universality of this quacking bird through the course of human culture and history. From the Eider duck to the Brazilian teal to the familiar mallard, duck species are richly diverse, and de Rijke offers a comprehensive overview of their evolutionary history.
From the milk we drink in the morning, to the leather shoes we slip on for the day, to the steak we savor at dinner, our daily lives are thoroughly bound up with cows. Yet there is a far more complex story behind this seemingly benign creature, which Hannah Velten explores here, plumbing the rich trove of myth, fact, and legend surrounding these familar animals.
