Beautifully illustrated with drawings, paintings, engravings, and photographs, Plain’s work is an excellent introduction for middle-schoolers to stories that were once a staple in American schools. Young readers may be especially entertained by the account of Jean-Jacques’s own school days in Rochefort: an “expert hooky player and adventurer,” the young Audubon soon enough flunked out of the academy and turned to nature for the rest of his education. Plain’s prose is appropriately simple and straightforward, and four pages are devoted to a glossary defining terms and names, from “Bachman” to “zoology,” that might be new to the young reader. This is well-told history, warts and all.

One could argue that no one loved birds more than John James Audubon. He devoted his life to discovering and painting every North American species of birds. The book This Strange Wilderness is a biography of Audubon and also includes some of his artwork, which is stunning if you have never seen it. The book begins with Audubon's birth in Haiti and the death of his mother he never knew. His father, a French sea captain and plantation owner, took him back to France where he and his wife Anne raised James and his half-sister Rose. James' father was responsible for his love of birds and his passion for illustrating them. Audubon was never happy with his drawings. He was so disappointed with them that he burned the drawings every year on his birthday with a vow to do better. The book then chronicles the horrors in France, including the French Revolution, and Audubon's engineered escape to America. It was here where Audubon met his wife. He had three children by her, two boys, and a girl who died at a very early age. Audubon had several failed business ventures and contributed much to the study of bird migration, ornithology, and taxonomy while attempting to provide for his family in these business ventures that failed. There are times in this book that Audubon didn't come off as a particularly great husband or father, as he left his wife (albeit with her blessing) to pursue his lifelong ambition of finding, painting, and cataloging every bird in North America. The book continues to trace Audubon's journey across America and his keen insight into birds and sadly their eventual extinction. Reading through this book felt like reading a story, not a dry biography. The Audubon quotes demonstrated both his intelligence and his personality. The book also is full of photographs of the Audubons and Audubon's beautiful paintings. I also learned a lot about Audubon that I never knew, such as his early childhood and the fact that he drew mammals after he completed his book of birds. This was a fascinating read and one that I would recommend for middle-school and up. It contains a nice blend of science and history and would also make an excellent book for the homeschooling crowd!

I think it was great. It had history and much detail I had not known. Enjoyed it very much.

Recently read this book about John James Audubon and recommend it. It is only 90 pages (with illustrations from 'Birds of America') and a quick read but it is well written. It is a fascinating look at what the country was like before much of the country was settled. It is extraordinary that animals like the passenger pigeon once existed by the billions and are now extinct and many others are now near extinction in just the span of a couple hundred years. Makes you think also what changes will come in the next couple hundred years.

A biography of artist and naturalist John James Audubon, famous for his research and painting of birds of North America. I went into this familiar with Audubon's artwork but knowing very little about his life. I have mixed feelings about the man now. He flirted with disaster financially and family-wise more than once through his obsession, but it was good to know in the end it all worked out and his book became a family business and their financial salvation. It's a bit of a cautionary tale. It was very interesting to learn more about his artwork and why it was revolutionary. Nancy Plain's writing is fantastic. Clearly written and obviously well-researched. And samples of Audubon's artwork appears in full-color throughout. It's a well put together biography. Recommended for middle school and high school, and approachable for upper elementary too. No content issues really. Animal deaths are mentioned, and Audubon was accused of being a flirt even while married.

although the description on amazon indicates this was meant for older kids, it works well as an adult book. Perhaps because it is written for that age it isn't a "slog" like some adult non-fiction but keeps the story moving and the reader engaged. Details the life, not just the work, so was info I hadn't heard before. Using for a natural history book club, think it will be a popular choice.

I know this book is for children, but it is a fun listen for adults too. Very informational.

Love it