Tenacious of Life: The Quadruped Essays of John James Audubon and John Bachman

Daniel Patterson and Eric Russell argue that John James Audubon and John Bachman's quadruped essays deserve literary analysis and redefine Bachman's role as the coauthor. Their book, Tenacious of Life, explores the fascinating and conflicting relationship between Audubon and Bachman, showcasing their contributions to American nature writing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

In a groundbreaking exploration, Daniel Patterson and Eric Russell present a compelling argument for reevaluating John James Audubon's and John Bachman's quadruped essays as worthy of literary analysis, challenging the longstanding perception of Bachman as the perpetually overlooked coauthor. Following the completion of his renowned masterpiece, The Birds of America (1826–38), Audubon delved into the realm of mammal studies. The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America volumes showcase an antebellum perspective on nature, characterized by its fundamental dynamism and a simultaneous blend of grotesqueness and awe-inspiring qualities. Within these essays, there are captivating narratives that shed light on these mammals and the humans who observe, pursue, and admire them.

To aid in his scientific endeavors and the composition of the quadruped essays, Audubon sought the expertise of Reverend John Bachman of Charleston, South Carolina. While Bachman has been recognized as a coauthor of the essays, he has received limited attention as an American nature writer. Surprisingly, Bachman's contributions are often mentioned in passing, appearing as mere subordinate clauses in accounts of the history of American nature writing. Tenacious of Life aims to rectify this oversight by restoring Bachman's status as a significant American nature writer.

Patterson and Russell undertake a meticulous analysis of the collaborative interplay between the distinct voices of Audubon, an experienced naturalist known for his adventurous hunting stories infused with sentiment, romanticism, and exuberance, and Bachman, the courteous gentleman naturalist, scientific detective, moralist, sometimes cruel experimenter, and humorist. Drawing upon a wealth of primary and secondary evidence, Patterson and Russell unravel the intricate story of the coauthors' fascinating and complex relationship. This collection presents captivating windows into the early United States, revealing much-forgotten lore, often presented in the form of travel writing, natural history, and unique anecdotes, all told through the compelling voices of Antebellum America.

Through their meticulous research and insightful interpretation, Daniel Patterson and Eric Russell have breathed new life into the legacy of John James Audubon and John Bachman. Their work not only sheds light on the overlooked coauthor but also offers a fresh perspective on the rich tapestry of antebellum American nature writing. Tenacious of Life is a testament to the enduring power of literature to illuminate the past and shed light on the lesser-known aspects of history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496213341