Skulls An Exploration Of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection Pdf

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Skulls

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Army shooting games download. SKULLS: An Exploration of Alan Dudley's Curious CollectionSIMON WINCHESTER Book Number: 73725 Product format: HardbackWho would have thought that a book specifically about skulls could be so captivating! For scores of thousands of years, the brain cases of animals, not excluding ourselves, have exerted an almost inexplicable power over the human imagination. They are symbols both of existence and of former existence. Freighted with terror and awe, they tell of life, death and the afterlife, of good and evil, of danger, authority and majesty.

Perhaps no other biological entity retains such a grip on human psychology as does this assemblage of hollow bone, domes, sockets and mysterious interior passageways and canals. Over many years, Alan Dudley became an extremely accomplished collector, known as an authority and with a collection of skulls prepared and labelled to a quality fit for a museum. Unfortunately, when he began trading on the internet, he was found to have breached the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. His possession of: a howler monkey, a penguin, a loggerhead turtle, a chimpanzee, a Goeldi's marmoset and a tiger was found to be illegal and he was fined and sentenced to 50 weeks in prison - luckily for him, suspended. Since then, he has been more careful, but remains as enthusiastic as ever. This detailed book - telling, as it does, of the grisly process of preparing skulls, and of the repulsive maggots that can inhabit them - is not for the faint-hearted but, if readers can approach this astonishing book with an open mind, there is so much to be learned.

Here is every kind of animal you can imagine, from amphibians, birds and fish to mammals and reptiles. We were particularly gripped by the Longnose Gar, the Hammer-headed Bat and the fearsome Sabre-toothed Cat. What a collection! 256 pages 26cm x 26cm absolutely packed with clear, close-up photos.Published price: £19.95Bibliophile price: £15.00.

'Skulls' is a beautiful spellbinding exploration of more than 300 different animal skulls-amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles-written by 'New York Times' bestselling author, Simon Winchester and produced in collaboration with Theodore Gray and Touch Press, the geniuses behind 'The Elements' and 'Solar System.' In 'Skulls,' best-selling author Simon Winchester 'Skulls' is a beautiful spellbinding exploration of more than 300 different animal skulls-amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles-written by 'New York Times' bestselling author, Simon Winchester and produced in collaboration with Theodore Gray and Touch Press, the geniuses behind 'The Elements' and 'Solar System.' In 'Skulls,' best-selling author Simon Winchester (author of 'The Professor and the Madman'; 'Atlantic: A Biography of the Ocean'; 'Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded'; and others) tells the rich and fascinating story of skulls, both human and animal, from every perspective imaginable: historical, biographical, cultural, and iconographic. Presenting details about the parts of the skull (including the cranium, the mandible, the shape and positioning of the eye sockets, and species-specific features like horns, teeth, beaks and bills), information about the science and pseudoscience of skulls, and a look at skulls in religion, art and popular culture, his stories and information are riveting and enlightening.At the center of 'Skulls' is a stunning, never-before-seen-in-any-capacity, visual array of the skulls of more than 300 animals that walk, swim, and fly. The skulls are from the collection of Alan Dudley, a British collector and owner of what is probably the largest and most complete private collection of skulls in the world. Every skull is beautifully photographed to show several angles and to give the reader the most intimate view possible.

Each includes a short explanatory paragraph and a data box with information on the animal's taxonomy, behavior, and diet.' Skulls 'was published in December 2011 as an e-book for the iPad by the innovative e-book publishers Touch Press, creators of the best-selling e-books for iPad 'The Elements' and 'Solar System.' Both books were also published in print by Black Dog & Leventhal. Most people who like natural history and the outdoor world are, in my experience, entranced by skulls. We find them beautiful (assuming the stinky parts are long gone) and they tell tales about the species and the individual. The individual tales are often tragic-a horse skull with a broken lower jaw, a coyote skull with a bullet hole, a smashed skull from a road-killed raccoon.

The species tales are less freighted. Teeth and sagittal crests imply how the animal made its living and defended its Most people who like natural history and the outdoor world are, in my experience, entranced by skulls. We find them beautiful (assuming the stinky parts are long gone) and they tell tales about the species and the individual. The individual tales are often tragic-a horse skull with a broken lower jaw, a coyote skull with a bullet hole, a smashed skull from a road-killed raccoon. The species tales are less freighted. Teeth and sagittal crests imply how the animal made its living and defended itself.This hardcover is a beautiful collection of Nick Mann's photos of skulls that were prepared by a private collector, Alan Dudley.

Dudley came to Winchester's attention after getting busted buying an illegal howler monkey skull. He pleaded guilty, did his service and paid his fine, and the implication is that he isn't normally one to slip up in this way.

I find this pretty satisfactory-he does a great job with the skulls and shares his expertise AND he serves as a lesson to other collectors not to get carried away and promote a market for slaughtering rare animals. (Replicas of many species are readily available, by the way.) Dudley gets almost all of his skulls from zoos.Among this book's virtues are a plethora of bird, fish and reptile skulls. Photographs of mammal skulls are widely available as they are the taxonomic touchstone for mammals. The others, not so much. Partly they are less common because (I know from trying) fish and reptile skulls can be the very devil to prepare.Of special interest: a great assortment of hornbills, odd and fragile skulls of venomous snakes, wild pigs with their seemingly self-destructive curving tusks. Be sure to take a look at the domestic dog skulls and consider what we have done to the sturdy wolf.Most of the photos are by Nick Mann, who has done great work on other Workman Publishing science books as well, and most are excellent. Many of the smaller skulls are out of focus, however.

Printing the images against a black background works very well for most skulls, but much detail is lost for black bird bills (such as the Northern Shoveler) and the black horns of some bovids.The photo of Holbein's large painting The Ambassadors lacks details discussed in the text. Most of these weaknesses are demerits for the printer, not the author or photographer.The photos are interspersed with text about skulls in art, history, human evolution, etc. These are interesting, written for a non-technical audience, but this is primarily a visual book-a beautiful addition to the natural history library. In our bodies, the framework for muscles, tendons and ligaments is the skeleton, topped by a skull, a face as unique as each creature itself. Whether it be a reptile, primate, eel, catfish, frog, newt or penguin, the skull houses the central processing unit, the brain. This powers each animal, bird or snake. Teeth highlight the jaw and in some, a prominent brow ridge or horns crown the whole in magnificent glory.Alan Dudley was fascinated by skulls.

At an early age, he found the body of a dead f In our bodies, the framework for muscles, tendons and ligaments is the skeleton, topped by a skull, a face as unique as each creature itself. Whether it be a reptile, primate, eel, catfish, frog, newt or penguin, the skull houses the central processing unit, the brain. This powers each animal, bird or snake. Teeth highlight the jaw and in some, a prominent brow ridge or horns crown the whole in magnificent glory.Alan Dudley was fascinated by skulls. At an early age, he found the body of a dead fox and brought it home to inspect it in greater detail. However, prepping the skull for collection proved to be a bit of a trial. Maggots, which feasted on the flesh of the carcass, were often a little overzealous, leading to damage of fine bone.

The alternative was to soak each skull in water for a very, very long period of time, allowing the natural bacteria to run their course. This avenue proved to be extremely smelly, but very effective and at last, Dudley’s collection began to grow in earnest.Unfortunately, Dudley’s zeal for collecting led him to obtain the skulls of a few endangered species, which ultimately progressed to his arrest. Nevertheless, Dudley’s collection remains one of the most detailed accounts of fauna on the planet.Kudos to Nick Mann’s numerous photographs, too. These illustrate with brilliant clarity the extensive variations in each skull, often from multiple angles.

This book is essential for zoologists and students of biology. It is also a stunning, unique gift and a perfect accent for your coffee table.

The skulls on display here range from oddly cute to the stuff of nightmares. All are fascinating. You come away with a whole new appreciation of the way in which life forms evolve and adapt to their places in the ecosystem.Most of the skulls in Dudley's collection are antiques or came from deceased zoo animals. However, it is easy to see how the passion for collecting could lead to unethical behavior.

We read in the beginning of the book how Dudley was charged for buying a few skulls that were The skulls on display here range from oddly cute to the stuff of nightmares. All are fascinating.

You come away with a whole new appreciation of the way in which life forms evolve and adapt to their places in the ecosystem.Most of the skulls in Dudley's collection are antiques or came from deceased zoo animals. However, it is easy to see how the passion for collecting could lead to unethical behavior. We read in the beginning of the book how Dudley was charged for buying a few skulls that were obviously poached. This lends a bit of sadness to the book.Skulls is interesting from an animal welfare prospective in another way. Examining the skulls of certain pedigree breeds helps us understand just to what degrees we have changed animals' physiology in pursuit of the 'perfect' look, and what unpleasant lives we may be subjecting our 'beloved' pet animals to in the process. The skull of a normal domestic cat, for example, is a fascinating miniature replica of those of the mighty big cats who prowl the plains, forests and jungles. The skull of the Persian cat, however, is a sad, crushed-looking thing.The skulls of brachycephalic dog breeds, such as the Boxer and Boston terrier, tell a similar tale of looks over comfort for the animal.

The author is not afraid to speculate that these animals must have difficulty breathing. It seems that in the UK folks are not as afraid to take breed fanciers to task and demand that they create more sound animals, while the issue remains largely taboo in the US, perhaps due to breeders' groups influence in US legislatures. The skulls in this book range from the ho hum to the truly amazing and terrifying. I will never think of fishes the same way.

The photographs are really gorgeous and the small blurb describing each skull provides enough information to the lay reader so that it does not become burdensome. I also appreciated the taxonomy included (all the way to the Genus level). Skulls that gave me pause were the Axolotl, the Dodo, the Atlantic Wolfish, the Triggerfish, the Pike and the Monkfish. Can you say terr The skulls in this book range from the ho hum to the truly amazing and terrifying. I will never think of fishes the same way. The photographs are really gorgeous and the small blurb describing each skull provides enough information to the lay reader so that it does not become burdensome.

I also appreciated the taxonomy included (all the way to the Genus level). Skulls that gave me pause were the Axolotl, the Dodo, the Atlantic Wolfish, the Triggerfish, the Pike and the Monkfish. Can you say terrifyingly fugly? This book's title is right about one thing, and that is that Alan Dudley's collection of skulls is definitely curious. Whether or not that is a good sort of curiosity or not is up for debate, but it is a curious collection without dispute.

Skulls An Exploration Of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection Pdf File

The origins of this book are somewhat odd. Alan Dudley himself happens to be an English collector of skulls who has perhaps the largest private collection in the world, of which this book represents only about a seventh or so (some 300 of the more than 2,00 This book's title is right about one thing, and that is that Alan Dudley's collection of skulls is definitely curious. Whether or not that is a good sort of curiosity or not is up for debate, but it is a curious collection without dispute. The origins of this book are somewhat odd. Alan Dudley himself happens to be an English collector of skulls who has perhaps the largest private collection in the world, of which this book represents only about a seventh or so (some 300 of the more than 2,000 skulls in the collection). Dudley ran afoul of various English laws involving the importation of skulls of various protected animals and appears to have sought in this book some means of recovering his reputation and increasing his popularity through sharing at least some of what he has collected with a friendly audience. And if you like the macabre, as I do, there is a great deal to enjoy here.

He certainly has chosen wisely in having his collection and its context narrated by Simon Winchester, although it must be freely admitted that the real stars of the show are the creepy skulls themselves.This book of about 250 pages of lushly photographed skulls (mostly from Dudley's collection, with some supplements) begins with an introduction and some notes on the collector as well as the collection by Simon Winchester. After this there are a few pages of amphibian skulls, some frogs and newts, followed by a couple of essays.

Then there are about 50 pages of pictures of the skulls of birds, a wide variety including seabirds, birds of prey, game birds, kingfighers and hornbills, toucans and woodpeckers, nightjars and swifts, flightless large birds, owls, parrots, passerines, penguins, pigeons, wading birds, and waterbirds, including essays on the Dodo as well as pseudocience. There is a lengthy chapter containing a variety of fish skulls (including eels), with essays about the iconography of skulls including the importance of skulls in Mexican culture. There is a large essay of nearly 100 pages about mammal skulls, including a wide variety of mammals, even egg laying mammals (sadly, no echidnas), as well as a lot of primates and rodents and even some oddball animals like the rock hyrax and tapir and tenrec. The last chapter contains skulls of various reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles, lizards and snacks, and various turtles and tortoises.Ultimately, it is not clear whether or not this book succeeds at its purpose of making Alan Dudley and his immensely creepy collection of skulls, some of them in very excellent condition, more appealing to the wider public.

This is not necessarily the fault of either Winchester or photographer Mann, as the photography in this book is amazing in its detail and sensitivity and Winchester turns in his customary work of putting the creepy skulls in a larger context including discussions of anatomy as well as the cultural and symbolic importance of skulls within history. Overall, this book appears mainly a chance for Dudley to share some of his more notable finds, for Winchester to wax eloquent on them, and for Mann to take some amazing photographs of them. And if you happen to like skulls, there is a great deal to appreciate even if one does find them occasionally a bit off-putting. For the most part, the book does seek to present Dudley as an ethical skull collector, and it is likely that he will be viewed as merely eccentric and not as a risk to threatened and endangered animals after this particular book, which is likely for the best. This is a very interesting book. As promised, it explores Alan Dudley's skull collection from five vertebrate classes.

It also contains longer sections between the photographs exploring skulls from biological, historical, anthropological, and cultural perspectives. Even if you don't have time for the longer sections, the photography provides an engaging flip through.There is a disclaimer in the beginning that the photographs are not to scale; however, I think some graphical indication of scale s This is a very interesting book. As promised, it explores Alan Dudley's skull collection from five vertebrate classes. It also contains longer sections between the photographs exploring skulls from biological, historical, anthropological, and cultural perspectives. Even if you don't have time for the longer sections, the photography provides an engaging flip through.There is a disclaimer in the beginning that the photographs are not to scale; however, I think some graphical indication of scale should have accompanied each photo. I also felt that each class should have had its own introductory section (i.e. For fish, here's where the gills are; for birds, here are a description of some beaks typical of different families), which would help reorient us after a potentially lengthy side discussion.

There was also no conclusion, just reptiles and then glossary. While I appreciated representation from all the major vertebrate classes, as usual birds and mammals were a bit over-represented. This book is gorgeous! The collection is amazing, and the photography is beautifully done and well lit.

The skulls are on a black background, which seems to intensify the details. I was afraid there wouldn't be many photographs, but the book is jam packed with them. The collection is diverse and the skulls are in great condition.

Two people who couldn't care less about skulls or bones were fascinated. I can't wait for the weekend to get here so I can sit down and spend some serious time with it. This book is gorgeous! The collection is amazing, and the photography is beautifully done and well lit.

The skulls are on a black background, which seems to intensify the details. I was afraid there wouldn't be many photographs, but the book is jam packed with them.

The collection is diverse and the skulls are in great condition. Two people who couldn't care less about skulls or bones were fascinated. I can't wait for the weekend to get here so I can sit down and spend some serious time with it. A very exciting find! This ebook is about every type of skull you can possibly think of! I enjoyed how the types of skulls were in alphabetical order. However, it was difficult for me to figure out how to escape from a close up view.

If you clicked on the skull, you could spin it in 3D or learn more facts about the type of species. Not only does it show the skeleton, but it shows the life-like view of the creature as well. This is a great ebook with tons of information!I noticed that this book allowed you to spin the This ebook is about every type of skull you can possibly think of! I enjoyed how the types of skulls were in alphabetical order. However, it was difficult for me to figure out how to escape from a close up view. If you clicked on the skull, you could spin it in 3D or learn more facts about the type of species.

Not only does it show the skeleton, but it shows the life-like view of the creature as well. This is a great ebook with tons of information!I noticed that this book allowed you to spin the 3D skull very fast, slow, or paused. I thought it was very interesting to view the full skeleton of some species. For example, the monkey and the human compared were very similar. I gave it a four-star rating because it is very interesting and full of information, but it can be complicated to use in certain situations.For class, I would give each group an iPad and an animal. They will have to search facts and new information they learned about the species.

After they have found at least five facts about the species, they will have to share it with the class. By doing this activity, the students will learn: about the species, how to find information about a species from the ebook, and to communicate with their group. The students will have to agree on the facts they will share with the class, as well as write the information down.This ebook did not have a lexile or guided reading level, however I think the lexile would be 760 and the guided reading level would be around a P. I think the interest level would begin around first grade, but I would not expect a student to use this ebook independently until around fourth grade. Skulls tell the story of the skull in the human and animal world. This electronic book states that skulls are symbols both of existence and of former existence. Skulls tell about life, death, and afterlife of good and evil.

This book talks about all different aspects of skulls and skulls of art along with the general nature of skulls and its component parts. This book’s illustration really gives the reader a great understanding of skulls it provides variety and hands on learning for the students Skulls tell the story of the skull in the human and animal world. This electronic book states that skulls are symbols both of existence and of former existence. Skulls tell about life, death, and afterlife of good and evil. This book talks about all different aspects of skulls and skulls of art along with the general nature of skulls and its component parts.

This book’s illustration really gives the reader a great understanding of skulls it provides variety and hands on learning for the students.This electron collection of skulls reminded me of my high school biology lab only better. Although you cannot get the hands on experience with the Skulls book, they had a lot of things in common.

There were a variety of different skulls you are able to look at, and it provides you with additional information. I think this is why the book was so appealing because of the movements of the skulls, and it was something I have already touched on in school.This book would be great for a science lecture, or if the children were doing a project on a certain animal and needed to provide information about the skull. I would use this as a source of information for the students, and walk them through the book and all the contents it provides.

This way if I were to give them a project that asked for them to draw a picture of a certain animal’s skull and provide some information the students would know where to go to attain this information.There was no lexile score for this book, but children should be able to read this book independently by fourth grade just because some of the word content could be a little hard to understand for some of the younger classes. This is an amazing photographic record of Alan Dudley's private collection of animal skulls. An avid collector, Dudley has been collecting skulls for years, buying them or preparing them himself when he comes across a dead animal.But more than just a record of his collection, this book, courtesy of author Simon Winchester, delves into the enduring human fascination with skulls and what they represent. What skulls have historically symbolised, how they have appeared in art, how they are celebrat This is an amazing photographic record of Alan Dudley's private collection of animal skulls. An avid collector, Dudley has been collecting skulls for years, buying them or preparing them himself when he comes across a dead animal.But more than just a record of his collection, this book, courtesy of author Simon Winchester, delves into the enduring human fascination with skulls and what they represent. What skulls have historically symbolised, how they have appeared in art, how they are celebrated (Mexico's Day of the Dead), their component parts, and how they have been studied (phrenology anyone?) are all covered.The photographs of the skulls of Dudley's collection are also amazing.

How some animals have adapted and what their skulls look like are truly breathtaking. Some are beautiful, some are bizarre, and some barely seem to represent the living animal.

Skulls An Exploration Of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection Pdf 1

For example, the elephant, sans trunk and ears, is unrecognisable. Lion, tiger and grey wolf skulls are incredibly similar, and there is the poignant inclusion of the dodo skull. Not part of Dudley's collection, but included from a museum as a reminder of what has been lost.Although you would think that such a collection would be morbid, you come away with an even greater respect and appreciation for the living animals that the skulls represent. I was introduced to some animals I had never even heard of, facts about ones that I had, and for those already quite clued-up on animals, the entire genus of each animal's skull is specified. A magnificent book.

Skulls An Exploration Of Alan Dudley's Curious Collection Pdf Free

Some of these fantastic images will live on in my nightmares. Thank you, Alan Dudley.Best skulls belong to birds, reptiles, and snakes. Wait, are snakes reptiles?This would've gotten 5 stars had the blurbs on each skull included just a BIT more detail.

For instance, I was fascinated by the skulls of alligators and crocs because of the mottled and pitted texture of the bone. I read every blurb hoping for information on WHY the texture of those bones was so different from most of the hundreds of Some of these fantastic images will live on in my nightmares. Thank you, Alan Dudley.Best skulls belong to birds, reptiles, and snakes. Wait, are snakes reptiles?This would've gotten 5 stars had the blurbs on each skull included just a BIT more detail. For instance, I was fascinated by the skulls of alligators and crocs because of the mottled and pitted texture of the bone.

I read every blurb hoping for information on WHY the texture of those bones was so different from most of the hundreds of other specimens in the book, but I didn't find what I was curious about. So, on to Google.

Still, included some really cool information in a beautifully photographed volume. Way better than just looking up skulls online.Over all, this was a really fun flip.

First I have to clarify that I own the interactive iPad version of this book, so my review is predominantly for the digital version made by Touch Press. As for anything made by those guys, it's amazing! The interactive versatility of the digital version is so outstanding, you can gain a thoughtful insight on skulls, various animal groups, domestication, form and function, and many other aspects related to skulls without reading one sentence from the book! It's possible to compare, group and turn First I have to clarify that I own the interactive iPad version of this book, so my review is predominantly for the digital version made by Touch Press. As for anything made by those guys, it's amazing! The interactive versatility of the digital version is so outstanding, you can gain a thoughtful insight on skulls, various animal groups, domestication, form and function, and many other aspects related to skulls without reading one sentence from the book!

It's possible to compare, group and turn the skulls around for a 360 view. As for the text by Simon Winchester, it's also enjoyable and informative, it can be biological, cultural and everything in between. There is also audio notes by Alan Dudley, the amazing skull collector who made this book possible, on some of his favorite skulls! This was a fascinating book. An odd book, but fascinating. It is a both a scientific/biological book, and an expose on a very unique private collection. The pictures of the skulls are beautifully shot, and they are always partnered with a photograph of the living animal, showing how the bone relates to the shape of the head in life.I will say, though, that I have a few concerns in regards to ethics.

The collector has quite a few skulls from endangered animals, and there was not nearly enough inf This was a fascinating book. An odd book, but fascinating. It is a both a scientific/biological book, and an expose on a very unique private collection. The pictures of the skulls are beautifully shot, and they are always partnered with a photograph of the living animal, showing how the bone relates to the shape of the head in life.I will say, though, that I have a few concerns in regards to ethics. The collector has quite a few skulls from endangered animals, and there was not nearly enough information on provenance for my taste. I doubt any are illegal per se, but legality!= ethics, in many cases.This aside, this would make a unique book to have on your coffee table when guests arrive.

Scare them or fascinate them, it's a conversation starter. Incredibly interesting. Winchester takes us on a guided photographic tour through the macabre collection of skull-enthusiast Alan Dudley. Absolutely fascinating, and if you don't marvel at the complexity of our planet after reading this, I don't know what can be done for you. My only caveat is that occasionally Winchester repeats himself when writing about similar organisms-a slightly heavier editor's hand might have been in order. Beautifully photographed, charmingly written, scientific intrig Incredibly interesting. Winchester takes us on a guided photographic tour through the macabre collection of skull-enthusiast Alan Dudley.

Absolutely fascinating, and if you don't marvel at the complexity of our planet after reading this, I don't know what can be done for you. My only caveat is that occasionally Winchester repeats himself when writing about similar organisms-a slightly heavier editor's hand might have been in order. Beautifully photographed, charmingly written, scientific intrigue with a hint of darkness. My perfect coffee table book. I'll buy this one, too.