The man's heart was restless; otherwise he would never have achieved so
much. He must wander, he must vagabondize, he must acquire; he was never
quite easy at the hearth. His love for nature was passionate indeed,
pursuing him in all regions, burning him to the last. -Robert Buchanan
in the Editor's Preface This edited version of the diaries of John James
Audubon reveals the ambitions, achievements, and personal life of the
premiere wildlife artist of North America birds. First published in
1869, the book covers his coming to America, the difficulties he
confronted in developing his art, his challenges in business and in
publishing his works, and his sometimes unbelievable tales of life as an
explorer. Above all, his love for outdoor adventure shines through.
ROBERT BUCHANAN (1841-1901) was born in England and educated in Glasgow.
As a young man, he was a regular on the literary scene in London, where
he was a regular contributor to the city's periodicals. He authored
numerous poems, novels, and stage plays, more than fifty of which were
produced for the stage from the 1880s on, some directed by Buchanan
himself.