Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy

Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy follows journalist Melissa Milgrom as she explores the world of modern taxidermy through direct participation and observation. She visits museums, competitions, and workshops while learning the craft herself. The book profiles key figures in contemporary taxidermy, including museum specialists, competition champions, and passionate hobbyists. Through their stories, Milgrom documents both the technical aspects of preservation and the complex motivations that drive people to practice this art. She traces taxidermy's evolution from its Victorian origins through its current renaissance, examining how cultural attitudes toward animals, death, and display have shifted over time. The narrative moves between historical context and present-day practices in museums, competitions, and private studios. At its core, this work explores humanity's desire to capture and preserve nature, while raising questions about art, science, and our relationship with the natural world. The book reveals taxidermy as a lens through which to examine deeper truths about mortality and memory.

Readers found this exploration of modern taxidermy engaging due to the author's deep access to practitioners and her balance of history, science, and profiles. Many appreciated learning about a misunderstood craft and the passionate people behind it. Likes: - In-depth research and reporting - Humor mixed with factual information - Personal stories of taxidermists - Technical details without being dry Dislikes: - Some sections drag with too much detail - Author's personal commentary can distract - More photos would help illustrate techniques - Occasional repetitive passages From review sites: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (85+ reviews) Notable reader comments: "Perfect blend of weird science and compelling characters" - Goodreads review "Made me see taxidermy as an art form" - Amazon review "Too much focus on competition taxidermy" - Goodreads review "Could have used better organization" - LibraryThing review

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🦊 Despite taxidermy's reputation, museums are the biggest employers of modern taxidermists, who help preserve endangered species and create scientifically accurate specimens for research. 🏆 The World Taxidermy Championships, covered extensively in the book, draws hundreds of competitors who are judged on criteria including anatomical accuracy, artistry, and difficulty of preparation. 🎨 Author Melissa Milgrom attempted to mount a squirrel herself while researching the book, learning firsthand about the complex blend of science, art, and craftsmanship required. 🦒 The famous "Lonesome George" tortoise at the American Museum of Natural History and many other iconic museum specimens were preserved by taxidermist George Dante, one of the book's main subjects. 🎯 Victorian-era taxidermist Walter Potter created whimsical anthropomorphic displays featuring kittens having tea parties and rabbits attending school, which sold for millions at auction in 2003.