Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)

"Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time" by Francis Hobart Herrick is a detailed look into the life of John James Audubon, the famous bird expert and artist. The book explores both Audubon's personal adventures and the time period he lived in, showing how he made a big impact on the study of nature. The story begins by hinting at the secrets surrounding his early life and describes the author's quest to find out the real story. It talks about important information that was found in France about Audubon's family, especially his father, Lieutenant Jean Audubon. Herrick thanks those who helped with his research, and the book feels like both a serious study and a tribute to someone who greatly changed how we see birds, art, and American nature.