For the Love of Nature

by Martin J. Hollenberg

In the early years of the twentieth century, the wonderful world of British mammals that existed then was recorded for succeeding generations by Gerald Barrett-Hamilton, Irish naturalist, zoologist and writer and Edward Adrian Wilson, English explorer, physician and artist of nature. The work of both men was truly outstanding, especially when it was brought together in the book, A History of British Mammals. Tragically, both men died young and the book was never completed. Yet enough was done to place it among the all-time classics of naturalist literature.

In For the Love of Nature, Martin Hollenberg has placed in perspective the lives and work of these two great naturalists and has refashioned key parts of A History of British Mammals for a general readership. For the first time, a large number of Edward Wilson’s detailed and vivid mammal portraits are presented next to Barrett-Hamilton’s wonderful descriptions of the same animals. In addition, Barrett-Hamilton’s South Georgia journal is published here for the first time revealing some of his perceptive observations of nature. The result is an exceptional book that displays all the vigour, life and colour of the natural world as it was then—still largely unthreatened and close to its best.

About the Author, Martin J. Hollenberg

Martin J. Hollenberg has had a rewarding career as a scientist, educator and Dean of Medicine at both The University of Western Ontario and The University of British Columbia. Upon retirement in 2001, he became intrigued by tall sailing ships and wrote a book entitled, Marco Polo, The Story of the Fastest Clipper (Nimbus, Chatham 2006). For the Love of Nature, his second book for a general readership, builds naturally on his career as a research scientist and Anatomist. He lives in Vancouver, Canada.

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