The Black Bear

Wright, William H. (William Henry), 1856-1934Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.5

Word count: 180K words
Chapters: 18

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Black Bear by William H. WrightAuthor: Wright, William H. (William Henry), 1856-1934,Language: English, Class: QL: Science: Zoology, Release Date: Aug 6, 2018

Editor's review

This is a zoological work about the black bear by William H. Wright, an American naturalist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Written in English, it is a public-domain ebook prepared and released by Project Gutenberg. Its value lies not in literary quality but in presenting how people of that era observed black bears and the style of natural-history writing: it includes descriptions of the black bear's form and habits and carries the narrative tone characteristic of early natural history. For readers studying the evolution of zoological texts, the history of nature writing, or English natural-history literature, this book is usable primary material. It is suitable as close or extensive reading material in English, and also for readers interested in North American wildlife to browse on an electronic device. One caution: the book reflects the knowledge of the author's era, and some statements may differ from contemporary zoological conclusions; readers should read with a critical eye and treat it as a historical document rather than modern popular science.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in North American wildlife and the history of natural history
Learners who need English-language zoological literature for extensive reading practice
University teachers and students studying the evolution of nature writing style
Readers who enjoy reading public-domain books on electronic devices

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking the latest conclusions of contemporary black bear ecology
Beginners who need Chinese content or bilingual reading
Readers who prefer plotted animal stories rather than observational records

Reading tips

Read the table of contents and preface first to understand the book's structure before deciding which chapters to read closely.
Keep an English dictionary at hand and look up old natural-history terms as you go.
Mark passages that differ from contemporary zoological accounts and make comparative notes.
Use it as short extensive reading for bedtime or commuting, reading one chapter at a time.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a zoological work?

It is a natural-history work in the zoology category, not a fictional novel. The book mainly observes and describes the black bear and carries the narrative style of early natural-history writing; readers should not expect a plot.

How difficult is the English, and what level is it suitable for?

The original is late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century English natural-history writing, with relatively long sentences and many technical terms, roughly suitable for readers with intermediate to advanced English reading ability. Beginners can read slowly with dictionaries and annotation tools.

Is the knowledge in the book still credible today?

The book reflects the observations and understanding of the author's era, and some content may differ from contemporary zoological conclusions. It is advisable to read it as a historical document and consult modern sources for specific ecological data.

Where can I read this book?

The book is released by Project Gutenberg and is a public-domain ebook; the English original electronic text can be obtained from the Project Gutenberg website free of charge. The specific formats available are those provided by the site.

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About the author

Wright, William H. (William Henry), 1856-1934 Author

William H. Wright (1856–1934), whose full name was William Henry Wright, is known only through limited public information; his nationality, biography, and professional career remain largely undocumented. What can be confirmed is that he wrote The Black Bear, the single work by him held in this collection. Judging from its title and subject, the book belongs to nature writing or natural history, focusing on the ecology and habits of the black bear and addressed to general readers interested in wildlife. Works of this kind emphasize careful observation and plain narration, and were common in early twentieth-century British and American natural history writing. Because the available material is so limited, his other works, the overall shape of his writing career, and the scholarly standing and reach of his work cannot be established; readers may nonetheless approach The Black Bear to glimpse his style and observational perspective.