The Breathless Zoo: Taxidermy and the Cultures of Longing (Animalibus Book 1)

Finally - a history of taxidermy that looks deep into meaning and contextualizes what these objects meant and mean now.

Poliquin deftly details the cultural meanings of taxidermy in its many genres, from natural history museum artifact to hunting trophy to rogue art object. This richly illustrated book, first in Penn State Press's series Animalibus: Of Animals and Cultures, would appeal to art historians, cultural anthropologists, and those interested in animal representation. The "cultures of longing" in question here include the role taxidermy has played in creating wonder, spectacle, narratives, and memorials to the natural world. What Poliquin does best here is show how taxidermy, while contributing to these and other cultures of longing, cannot quite fulfill our longing to look at real animals, either dead or alive, because a taxidermied animal is, paradoxically, a bit of both, and at the same time, neither. My only complaint with Poliquin's work is that she doesn't sufficiently consider the distinct longing we experience in looking at taxidermies of extinct animals.

Absolutely beautiful book, replete with gorgeous pictures and gorgeous prose. Her thinking through of important cultural moments in western history using taxidermy is philosophically interesting and very convincing. She treats her subjects with ethical responsibility and opened up this reader's eyes to whole new ways of thinking about taxidermic specimens as cultural signifiers. Other reviews have recommended this book for taxidermy fans, and I agree, but I also think it's a great book for people who aren't "into" taxidermy but are interested in general history or museology or even just animal-human relationships.

Short n' sweet-I LOVE taxidermy(in all of its MANY art forms), and this book is absolutely fascinating. A must have for everyone from the collector-to the artist.

Interesting book

Kindle will never replace paper books unless conversion treat the illustrations with respect. Most writers only include essential illustrations. If they are reproduced as tiny, blurry images, the author’s message is lost. As is the case with this book.

If you are a fan of taxidermy, or rogue taxidermy art then this book is one for your collection. Really lovely collection.

Fantastic book

nice quality book, well produced, feels nice to hold, nice paper quality, good book for my research although i had hoped for a few more pictures and a bit more critical thinking

Eine Buchempfehlung von Emily Graslie vom Channel "brainscoop". Wer sich für die Geschichte von Taxidermie interessiert wird mit diesem Buch einen sehr guten Kauf tätigen.

Mildly interesting but much to philosophical. I found this a very difficult and dry read. Finally just gave up on it.