Natural History

Francis Lister HawksProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 210K words
Chapters: 22

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.Natural History by Francis L. HawksAuthor: Hawks, Francis L. (Francis Lister), 1798-1866,Language: English, Class: QL: Science: Zoology, Release Date: Dec 6, 2013

Editor's review

This Natural History is a public-domain ebook in the zoology category, and its author, Francis L. Hawks, was a 19th-century American writer and clergyman. Its value lies not in offering the latest conclusions of contemporary zoology but in showing how the 19th-century English-speaking world introduced the animal kingdom to general readers: classification, habits and natural-history observation are often interwoven, in the narrative voice of that era. For readers who want to understand the tradition of natural-history writing or to practice reading English popular science, this book offers text that can be read in short segments. It is best treated as a historical text rather than a modern field guide or research reference; where it diverges from contemporary classification, take notes against modern sources. It suits slow reading in a quiet setting and works as supplementary material for extensive reading of English nonfiction.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the natural-history tradition and 19th-century nature writing
Learners who need English popular-science public-domain texts for extensive reading practice
General readers who like animal subjects and can accept an old-fashioned narrative voice
Research-oriented readers who want to understand the style of early popular natural-history writing

Not a good fit for

Professionals who need the latest animal classification and research data
Readers expecting a field guide with color illustrations or a modern popular-science layout
Beginners with limited English reading stamina who need strongly narrative content

Reading tips

Browse the table of contents first and start with animal groups you know well to build reading confidence.
Keep a notebook to record differences between old classification names and current ones, and check them together afterward.
Treat the book as English nonfiction for extensive reading: read a short section at a time and summarize the key points in your own words.
Read alongside a modern animal encyclopedia to see both the old narrative and contemporary updates in knowledge.

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

Can this book be used as a modern popular-science book on zoology?

It is not advisable to use it directly as a modern popular-science zoology book. It is 19th-century natural-history writing, and its classification and phrasing carry the limitations of its time. A better use is to treat it as a historical text in the natural-history writing tradition and read it against modern sources rather than relying on it for the latest scientific conclusions.

What is the background of the author, Hawks?

The information lists the author as Francis L. Hawks (1798–1866), a 19th-century American writer and clergyman. The book is classified under zoology, and its content is mainly natural-history narrative. Readers should not assume it is a specialized research work but should understand it in the context of popular writing of its time.

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

As 19th-century English nonfiction, it has longer sentences and period-flavored vocabulary, making it harder than contemporary popular science. Readers with a college-level English reading foundation who can accept an old-fashioned narrative will find it smoother. It is best to start with shorter chapters and work through it in segments with a dictionary and notes.

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About the author

Francis Lister Hawks Author · American · 1798–1866

Francis Lister Hawks (1798–1866) was an American author, historian and educator, and an Episcopal clergyman. He was born in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1798 and died in New York in 1866. He served as historiographer of the Episcopal Church and became the first president of the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University). Under the pen name "Uncle Philip," Hawks wrote juvenile books for Harper & Brothers; four of his works are held here, including The Adventures of Daniel Boone, The Adventures of Hernan Cortes, and works on natural history and moral stories. His writing, aimed mainly at young readers, centered on the adventures of historical figures and moral instruction, with some natural history, in a plain and accessible style. Public information on his early education and private life is limited.