John James Audubon's love of the backwoods and his passion for drawing led him to become America's foremost artist-naturalist. His major work, The Birds of America, is as stunning today as it was more than 100 years ago. This book in the Icon Series uses Audubon's illustrations and paintings, together with other visual material and text, to document the life and achievements of one of America's most influential illustrators and de facto environmentalists. But he was no studio-bound artist nor did he have any formal artistic training. Audubon plied flat boats down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, hunted with the Shawnee, and spent much of his time as a woodsman. Wherever he went he felt compelled to sketch and paint the natural wealth and beauty of his beloved America. Plagued by bad luck, poor judgment and a quick temper, in 1826 at the age of 41 he took some of his best work to England in search of a publisher for his illustrations. Audubon succeeded in his quest and as a result was revered by the scholars of the time. Today his legacy of illustrations continues to evoke wonder at the richness of America's wildlife, and reminds us of the importance of protecting it from extinction. Audubon died in 1851, and this book commemorates the 150th anniversary of his death.
* Publication coincides with the 150th anniversary of Audubon's death
* Unique tribute to America's original environmentalist
* Entertaining narrative about Audubon as a backwoodsman
* Exciting collection of Audubon's paintings and engravings
* Stunning examples of Audubon's work in rich color
* Lavishly illustrated and printed in color throughout
* 40 color illustrations, 1 map
