Age does not matter in a naturalist; it is the spirit that counts. Vinson Brown, 1948

{HISTORY}

Growing up in California and Nevada, educated in the field of biology at Stanford University, and living for a few years as a farmer on a ranch in South America, all led to Vinson Brown's (1912-1991) first book, The Amateur Naturalist's Handbook, published in 1948. 

Vinson was just 27 at the time of publication, and he had no idea that his book would become so popular that it would eventually wind up as a textbook in schools, beloved by both kids and adults. 

While Vinson's intended audience for his handbook was the beginning naturalist, he really just wanted to encourage, foster, and cultivate a curiosity in the natural world for readers of any age, which is how his handbook became a practical guide for everyone. 

Laid out like little course studies, with each chapter just a few pages long, Vinson shares all aspects of what it means to become a naturalist, from site observation to data recording to specimen collecting. Everything from plants, animals, rocks, minerals, weather and soil conditions is up for identification, discussion, dissection and thoughtful consideration.

If you or anyone you know ever expressed interest in being a naturalist,  but didn't know quite where or how to start or encourage pursuing this passion, then this is the book for you. 

Vinson takes readers into the fields to observe, collect and preserve. He takes readers into the classroom to learn about the fundamentals of how civilization and nature affect one another, about the basics of anatomy and life cycles, about the complex underlayers of the soil, and about how weather and climate affect everything. The last third of the book is a field identification guide for animals, insects, rocks, shells, and plants as well as a bibliographical resource for further reading on nature writing, science, biology and ecology.

Along the way, there are tests to retain the immediate information learned for long-term memory storage, and a through-story about a naturalist's adventures studying spiders in the wild. 

A really captivating book, sure to ignite the spirit of any nature-lover, this book is beautifully illustrated throughout by fellow naturalist, photographer, artist and writer Don Greame Kelley (1913-1985) and contains a very detailed index for easy reference.

Vinson would go on to write 39 more books about nature and indigenous people of the Americas (his other field of interest!) as well as start his own book publishing company alongside his wife, Barbara, where they featured the work of other nature writers.  Throughout his long career, The Amateur Naturalist's Handbook continued to be one of his most well-known and most acclaimed contributions to this field of study.

Photo of Vinson Brown courtesy of The Olympian, 1942

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• 1948 Edition, 12th Printing published by Little, Brown and Company
• 475 pages
• Illustrated throughout
• Interesting topics for the serious inquirer include topics like how to make mounted collections, how to skin a mouse fr further study, how to make your own collecting can for specimens, and how to press and mount plants 

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition, this book is very clean and bright throughout, with the exception of just a handful of light stains (each about the size of a dime) randomly scattered throughout. The coverboards are clean and bright, the spine is tight, and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 7" inches (length) x 4.75" inches (width) x 1.25" inches (thickness) and weighs 15 oz. 

{DONATION SUPPORTED!}

This book gives back! 20% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Feeding America- a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, and local meal programs dedicated to providing nutritious meals to food-insecure communities around the United States.