Year with Nature: An Almanac

A bedside book for nature lovers, this gathers science and lore, natural history and wit and wisdom, into a day-by-day wander through the year.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A Year with Nature is an extraordinary almanac that blends science and aesthetics, providing a daily affirmation of the remarkable richness of biodiversity and our enduring fascination with its breathtaking beauty. Written by herpetologist and natural history writer Marty Crump and accompanied by a plethora of original illustrations by Bronwyn McIvor, this quirky quotidian reverie spans across the globe, media, and time, celebrating date-appropriate natural topics ranging from the founding of the National Park Service to annual festivals celebrating strawberries, garlic, shrimp, hummingbirds, and black bears.

Through the lens of Crump, we commemorate the publication of iconic classics such as Carson's Silent Spring and White's Charlotte's Web, as well as the musical premiere of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. We observe significant discoveries, including the structure of DNA and the mountain gorilla, the rise of citizen science projects, and the contributions of individuals who have shaped our understanding and protection of nature, from Aristotle to E.O. Wilson.

Some days in A Year with Nature feature celebrations specific to the United States, such as National Poinsettia Day and National Cat Day, while others highlight country-specific celebrations, such as Australia's Wombat Day and Thailand's Monkey Buffet Festival, where thousands of macaques gather to feast on an intricately arranged spread of fruits and vegetables. Crump also highlights international celebrations that transcend borders, including World Wildlife Conservation Day, International Mountain Day, and global festivities for snakes, sea turtles, and chocolate.

Intertwining fascinating facts on various natural phenomena, from the anatomy of jellyfish to the monthly birth flowers, with folkloric entries featuring mythical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster, unicorns, and ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology, the almanac is both exhaustive and enchanting. It serves as a testament to the wonders of our natural world and encourages us to appreciate and protect it for generations to come.

Weight: 936g
Dimension: 229 x 165 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226449708