Synopses & Reviews
A vividly illustrated account of John James Audubons struggle in England to complete his masterpiece, The Birds of America Audubons Elephant was the nickname given to John James Audubons masterpiece, The Birds of America—an oversized folio of 435 life-size ornithological prints that remains to this day the most compelling depiction of bird life in the United States. Born in Haiti and raised in France, Audubon spent much of his adult life as a struggling American businessman on the frontier, where his obsession with birds nearly brought him to financial ruin. In 1826, his ambitious project was also in a precarious position—his folio remained unfinished, without an American publisher willing to fund it. Had Audubon not set sail for England, his artistic triumph might easily have turned into failure.
Audubons Elephant tells the story of the naturalists unlikely success in Britain as a self-exiled artist in search of the money and inspiration necessary to complete his lifes work. During twelve years spent traveling in Liverpool, Edinburgh, London, and Paris, Audubon won the interest of wealthy families, fellow artists, and the public with his eccentric brilliance and woodsmans charisma, ultimately securing enough subscriptions to publish The Birds of America.
Duff Hart-Davis, himself a naturalist, has written a lively, highly engaging biography of Audubons heady and memorable days as a great American artist abroad.
Review
"Hart-Davis is captivated...his account of Audubon's 12-year sojourn...offers a portrait of the man himself and a trove of fascinating detail." —Wall Street Journal
"Writing with undisguised delight in his subject and drawing on Audubon's expressive journals, Hart-Davis provides a lively account." —Booklist
"A worthwhile book for historians, artists and Audubon enthusiasts alike." —Publishers Weekly
"Beautifully illustrated and will foster renewed interest in Audubon, not only for his art, but also for the man." —Michael McCarthy, Independent
“[a] vividly written and copiously illustrated book.” —Simon Barnes, Times
"An exceptionally vivid account of an extraordinary man and his equally extraordinary project.” —Michael Prodger, Sunday Telegraph
"The great glory of Audubon's Elephant is its own colour illustrations, which reproduce more than 30 of the original plates.” —Robin Blake, Financial Times
Review
"Hart-Davis offers a portrait of the man himself and a trove of fascinating detail." -
The Wall Street Journal
Synopsis
"Well-written. The picture emerges of a complex personality . . . a failure at several businesses but an astute judge of people . . . always happiest when roaming the woods and fields, and painting." -David Allen Sibley (author of The Sibley Guide to Birds), The Boston Globe
Audubon's Elephant was the name given to John James Audubon's greatest work, The Birds of America-a folio of 435 life-size ornithological prints that would prove the most enduring depiction of birdlife in the United States. In 1826, still hard at work, his ambition threatened to exhaust the largesse of American aficionados and, seeking funds and fame, Audubon made his first trip to England.
British naturalist Duff Hart-Davis tells how Audubon's exotic woodsman's charm and astonishing artistic gift won him the attention of the aristocracy and an admiring public at a time when Americans in Britain could still cause a stir. Ultimately, his impassioned presentations to rooms full of smitten bird lovers helped him raise the funds he needed to complete The Birds of America. Lavishly illustrated with images from Audubon's life and work, Audubon's Elephant is an inspired depiction of the most important chapter in the life of America's most famous naturalist.
Duff Hart-Davis, himself a naturalist, has written a lively, highly engaging biography of Audubons heady and memorable days as a great American artist abroad.
About the Author
Duff Hart-Davis is an English writer and journalist celebrated particularly for his books and columns on the countryside. He was literary editor and assistant editor for
The Daily Telegraph, and spent more than ten years as country columnist for
The Independent. His lives in Gloucestershire, England, with his wife and two children.