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stephen_baird's review
4.0
I’m a sucker for a beautiful cover, and I just fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it.
When it arrived I just dove in and was fascinated by all the charts and illustrations, it was jam-packed. Ranging from very early theories of classification based on religious placement of humans and animals all the way to the most recent diagrams that show a frozen moment in time of ever developing classification systems that are both complicated and beautiful.
Each chapter is based on a specific theoretical outlook to classification and talks about that classification and the people who are thought of as the main proponents of those theories.
Due to space constraints due to the dazzling amount of illustrations this can sometimes feel a bit thin, though the theories are described well enough to give a brief idea and the chapter signposts ways of finding out more, especially the mini biographies.
Overall a really pleasing visual feast and a book I’ll keep going back to for the illustrations.
When it arrived I just dove in and was fascinated by all the charts and illustrations, it was jam-packed. Ranging from very early theories of classification based on religious placement of humans and animals all the way to the most recent diagrams that show a frozen moment in time of ever developing classification systems that are both complicated and beautiful.
Each chapter is based on a specific theoretical outlook to classification and talks about that classification and the people who are thought of as the main proponents of those theories.
Due to space constraints due to the dazzling amount of illustrations this can sometimes feel a bit thin, though the theories are described well enough to give a brief idea and the chapter signposts ways of finding out more, especially the mini biographies.
Overall a really pleasing visual feast and a book I’ll keep going back to for the illustrations.
aestuarium's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
Really good, loved the pictures. A simple over view. Would of loved more analysis and story but that's just coming from someone who loves science history. Read it in a few hours.
bigbeardedbookseller's review
4.0
I’m a sucker for a beautiful cover, and I just fell in love with this one as soon as I saw it.
When it arrived I just dove in and was fascinated by all the charts and illustrations, it was jam-packed. Ranging from very early theories of classification based on religious placement of humans and animals all the way to the most recent diagrams that show a frozen moment in time of ever developing classification systems that are both complicated and beautiful.
Each chapter is based on a specific theoretical outlook to classification and talks about that classification and the people who are thought of as the main proponents of those theories.
Due to space constraints due to the dazzling amount of illustrations this can sometimes feel a bit thin, though the theories are described well enough to give a brief idea and the chapter signposts ways of finding out more, especially the mini biographies.
Overall a really pleasing visual feast and a book I’ll keep going back to for the illustrations.
When it arrived I just dove in and was fascinated by all the charts and illustrations, it was jam-packed. Ranging from very early theories of classification based on religious placement of humans and animals all the way to the most recent diagrams that show a frozen moment in time of ever developing classification systems that are both complicated and beautiful.
Each chapter is based on a specific theoretical outlook to classification and talks about that classification and the people who are thought of as the main proponents of those theories.
Due to space constraints due to the dazzling amount of illustrations this can sometimes feel a bit thin, though the theories are described well enough to give a brief idea and the chapter signposts ways of finding out more, especially the mini biographies.
Overall a really pleasing visual feast and a book I’ll keep going back to for the illustrations.
benyeagley's review
4.0
Definitely an emphasis on the "art" part of classification. Beautiful illustrations and graphs though, and nice pockets of explanation/history throughout
straaawbs's review
5.0
Really beautiful book! ‘Art’ is the operative word in the title - its packed with lots and lots of colour illustrations, and it’s a quick read. This is definitely more of a history of classification rather than a guide as to how classifications are made today. It gives a fascinating overview of how philosophers and scientists organised the natural world from ancient times right up to the present day. The bulk of the book is comprised of illustrations and diagrams, accompanied by short explanations. Felt like looking through a museum. I really can’t fault this book - it was a perfect combination of my interests in science, nature, art, and history. However, if you’re looking for a guide on how to actually classify species then this won’t be the best book.
intertidalkendy's review
5.0
One of the coolest books I own, by far. It is incredibly beautiful as well as educational. Taxonomy isn’t always a subject people care for, myself included, but this book is engaging and well done that even those who are not big “fans” of taxonomy can enjoy it.