All the World's Birds: Buffon's Illustrated Natural History General and Particular of Birds [Hardcover]

Georges-Louis Leclerc (Author), Francois-Nicolas Martinet (Illustrator), Stephane Schmitt (Introduction), Cedric Cremiere (Introduction), David Sibley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0847830918 | ISBN-13: 978-0847830916

Before Audubon, there was Buffon’s Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, originally published in thirty-six volumes between 1749 and 1778. All the World’s Birds comprises selections from the original, which explored all flora and fauna, and features the beautiful full color illustrations by François-Nicolas Martinet. Now this seminal work appears in a handsome, slipcased edition which marks the first publication of Buffon’s writings in one volume with Martinet’s beautiful yet scientifically precise engravings, originally published separately. These wondrous eighteenth century depictions of birds are among the earliest scientific attempts to depict birds in all their detail, and these plates are a milestone in the development of ornithological art. This monumental volume is perfect for any bird lover.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The 18th century French engravings are both scientifically precise and totally wondrous. The kind of book that makes you want to stay in to curl up in front of the fire." ~W Magazine

"Combining 36 Enlightenment-era volumes by famed naturalist LeClerc into one text, All the World's Birds boasts plenty of ornithological facts, as well as brilliant, detailed reproductions of engravings by artist François-Nicolas Martinet." ~Entertainment Weekly

"All the World's Birds...has the heft of a large encyclopedia, possessing an elegant austerity that honors the seriousness of Buffon's original endeavor. Both deserve a place in any library devoted to the art of natural history." ~Art + Auction

"This oversize, slipcased tome with 1,008 illustrations is both a reference guide and a decorative addition to any library." "Though they were drawn 100 years before cameras or useful binoculars, Francois-Nicolas Martinet's illustrations are remarkably precise...They are still wonderful to see today." ~Southern Accents

"...a sumptuous testament to one man's avian obsession." ~Vogue

"Any art lover, ornithologist or bibliophile would sigh with pleasure to find this wrapped up for them." ~San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles

“Back in the (18th-century) day, polymath Leclerc set out to catalog the entire natural world–and succeeded. Here, selections from the original work have been collected in a 672-page tome with gorgeous illustrations from Leclerc contemporary Francois-Nicolas Martinet. If the book weren’t this beautiful, you might be tempted to tear out pages to frame.” ~Domino

About the Author

Georges-Louis Leclerc (1707–1788) was a French naturalist, mathematician, biologist, and author who influenced generations of naturalists, including notably Charles Darwin. Stéphane Schmitt is a researcher at France’s National Research Center. Cédric Crémière is the director of Le Havre’s Natural History Museum. David Sibley is one of the world’s leading ornithologists and author of Sibley’s Guide to Birds.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847830918
• ISBN-13: 978-0847830916
• Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 3.9 x 18.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 18.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,149,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Top Two, June 8, 2010

By 

Charles M. Marsteller "Charley_SF" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All the World's Birds: Buffon's Illustrated Natural History General and Particular of Birds (Hardcover)

Before Audubon, this book dominated ornithological illustration.

Hence, it is a must have for any collector of ornithological books.

Aside from it's historical importance, this book is stunningly handsome.

So beautiful you will want to handle it with the white gloves provided!

The book is a work of art.

And if you were to purchase just two books on this subject, this book (along with Audubon) is one of those books.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful., March 31, 2009

By 

Dn'A "Bellalibris" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the World's Birds: Buffon's Illustrated Natural History General and Particular of Birds (Hardcover)

Evidence that Kindle will never do when it comes to the art of the book.