“This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon” by Nancy Plain
University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Neb., 2015, 112 pages, grades 5-8.
The Audubon Society is famous for its beautiful studies in ornithology (the study of birds.) Much of the knowledge that exists on North American birds comes from this famed society. This organization is named after the outstanding artist/writer, John James Audubon.
Nancy Plain tells the remarkable story of Audubon’s life in this biography published by the University of Nebraska Press. She includes numerous paintings from Audubon’s many travels seeking to capture all of the birds of North America. The name of this fine book is “This Strange Wilderness: The Life and Art of John James Audubon.”
John James Audubon was born on the French island of Haiti on April 26, 1785. His father is a prominent owner of a sugar plantation. The Haitian economy is based on slavery, and the elder Audubon is a slave owner. Eventually, the Haitians rebel against this evil system and the Audubons return to the safety of France. Their timing is unfortunate, as the French Revolution has just exploded with a vengeance.
Seeking to stay away from the guillotine and the Reign of Terror in Paris, the Audubons live quietly in western France. There, in relative peace, young James begins painting and sketching birds. He is a perfectionist and is never quite happy with his drawings. As a result, he burns most of his art. But young Audubon is also persistent and continues to draw and investigate the natural world.
But Napoleon next disturbs the Audubon family, and Mr. Audubon, not wishing to see his son become cannon fodder for Napoleon’s next covetous dream, sends young James to the United States.
Arriving in 1803, John excitedly sees the New World. He is astounded to witness the immense variety of wildlife in the United States and determines to become a great painter of birds. Most of the pictures in the great ornithological books of the age are drawn from other paintings in books. Audubon finds these pictures to be stiff and uninspiring. He makes the decision that will set him on his life work. He will go to the fields, lakes, swamps and plains that the birds inhabit to gain his images. He will draw his pictures in realistic and lifelike situations. By the end of his amazing studies, Audubon will have painted 489 species of American birds and published them in the renowned four-volume set, “Birds of America,” and then a fifth volume named “Ornithological Biography.” How did he do it?
How was it possible to so brilliantly capture so many species of birds in North America? What effect did this great effort have on Audubon’s health and family life? How did his family support him during the difficult times in his studies?
Do you like birds? Why does the State of Nebraska have whooping cranes passing through twice a year? Why did the United States wake up to the threat to bald eagles? Can one man make such a difference? The answer is yes. To find out how John James Audubon made this marvelous contribution to preserving the natural world, go to the library and check out Nancy Plain’s well-written book featuring many of Audubon’s most famous pictures.
Audubon’s paintings are some of the most beautiful works of art ever drawn of wildlife. If you have never seen them, please go to the library and check out this book. As well, encourage your middle school students to read about this great man. Nancy Plain tells the life and work of John James Audubon with simple eloquence. It is a great tale and I hope you encourage the members of your family to read this book. The pictures are breathtaking. Enjoy!
