A gathering of wonders : behind the scenes at the American Museum of Natural History

Since it was founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History has stood as one of the world's greatest repositories of scientific information and investigation. This delightful book takes us behind the exhibits and shows us some of the great researchers and fabulous objects from the Museum's past and present, ranging through every department and focusing on fabulous tales and fascinating objects, both small and large, including: \* the famous Oviraptor eggs unearthed in the Gobi desert. \* the stunning new Hall of Biodiversity, whose trees hold 411,000 model leaves \* the 563-carat Star of India sapphire and the 632-carat Patricia emerald \* Katharine Burden's hunt for the Komodo dragon : "Women Huntress Revolts Against Playing Safe—-Kills Huge 'Malay Dragon' " \* the epic saga of the huge blue whale model This book offers a backstage tour through the halls and history of the Museum, venturing into ornithology, invertebrates, zoology,... Since Its Founding In 1869, The American Museum Of Natural History Has Stood As One Of The World's Greatest Repositories Of Scientific Information And Investigation. This Book Offers A Backstage Tour Through The Halls And History Of The Museum, Venturing Into Ornithology, Invertebrates, Zoology, Entomology, Herpetology, And Other Disciplines, Celebrating The Treasures And The Scientists Responsible For Bringing Them To The Light Of Day.--jacket. Foreword / John Nichols -- The Specter Of Extinction -- Evolution's Clay -- Messengers From The World's Wild Places -- The Original Creation Tale -- Tiny Glories Of Biodiversity -- Stories Of Stasis And Change -- The Life And Times Of The Ancient World -- The Front Lines Of Conservation -- Stories Of Human Diversity. Joseph Wallace. "Since its Founding in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History has stood as one of the world's greatest repositories of scientific information and investigation." "This book offers a backstage tour through the halls and history of the Museum, venturing into ornithology, invertebrates, zoology, entomology, herpetology, and other disciplines, celebrating the treasures and the scientists responsible for bringing them to the light of day."--BOOK JACKET. Offers a backstage tour through the American Museum of Natural Wonders, celebrating the treasures housed there and the scientists responsible for bringing them to the light of day. James L. Clark wasn't alone among the early employees of the American Museum of Natural History in risking his life for science.