Inside the American Museum of Natural History is an eight-story library (one of the largest natural-science libraries in the Western Hemisphere) that contains over 450,000 volumes of monographs, pamphlets, reprints and original rare books. Natural Histories allows readers a privileged glimpse of these seldom-seen, fully illustrated scientific works. Forty essays from the museum's top experts in a variety of disciplines enhance each rare tome's unique qualities and scientific contribution, and three to four illustrations accompany each one. This beautiful book will fascinate natural science and art lovers alike.