Offering abundant food for thought, this volume is published with a dual function: it's a catalogue of an international loan exhibition held in 2011 at the American Philosophical Society Museum, and it contains the proceedings of a symposium held in conjunction with the exhibition. Scholars of art history, science history, and French literature, history, and culture offer an extraordinary variety of interesting perspectives on French natural history, its influence on French culture, and ties to the natural sciences in North America. Contributed essays are grouped thematically, each grouping culminating in transcription of symposium discussions. The volume is in a tall format (8x12"), with abundant illustrations incorporated into elegant page design. Editor Prince is founding director and curator of the American Philosophical Society Museum. Annotation 2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
