Describes the life and work of the Victorian taxidermist who was best known for his elaborate, anthropormorphic taxidermy tableaux, and details how his work has been received in the contemporary art world.

After her curiosity is piqued by a safari gone awry, a journalist delves into the curious world of taxidermy and shares her findings. It’s easy to dismiss taxidermy as a kitschy or morbid sideline, the realm of trophy fish and jackalopes or an anachronistic throwback to the dusty diorama. Yet theirs is a world of intrepid hunter-explorers, eccentric naturalists, and gifted museum artisans, all devoted to the paradoxical pursuit of creating the illusion of life. Into this subculture of passionate animal-lovers ventures journalist Melissa Milgrom, whose journey stretches from the anachronistic family workshop of the last chief taxidermist for the American Museum of Natural History to the studio where an English sculptor, granddaughter of a surrealist artist, preserves the animals for Damien Hirst’s most disturbing artworks. She wanders through Mr. Potter’s Museum of Curiosities in the final days of its existence to watch dealers vie for preserved Victorian oddities, and visits the Smithsonian’s offsite lab, where taxidermists transform zoo skins into vivacious beasts. She tags along with a Canadian bear trapper and former Roy Orbison impersonator—the three-time World Taxidermy Champion—as he resurrects an extinct Irish elk using DNA studies and Paleolithic cave art for reference; she even ultimately picks up a scalpel and stuffs her own squirrel. Transformed from a curious onlooker to an empathetic participant, Milgrom takes us deep into the world of taxidermy and reveals its uncanny appeal. “Hilarious but respectful.” —Washington Post “Engrossing.” —New Yorker “[A] delightful debut . . . Milgrom has in Still Life opened up a whole world to readers.” —Chicago Tribune “Milgrom’s lively account will appeal to readers who enjoyed Mary Roach’s quirky science books.” —Library Journal

From style wilderness to height of cool, taxidermy has staged an extraordinary comeback. No longer confined to stately homes, stuffed animals are appearing everywhere from modern apartments to luxury department stores. High-profile artists have rejuvenated the medium and museums have dusted down their historic collections and put them back on display. Illustrated with stunning photography that explores this rich artform, past and present, this title is the most comprehensive and beautiful survey of taxidermy ever produced.

A humorous look at what happens when taxidermy goes terribly wrong, by the founder of the hit website crappytaxidermy.com. A relaxed toad enjoying a smoke and a brew. A cat with eerily flexible front legs. A smiling lion with receding gums. Whether you choose to laugh or cringe at these spectacularly bad attempts at taxidermy, you won't be able to tear your eyes away from the curiosities inside. This volume brings together the very best of the worst (along with a DIY "Stuff Your Own Mouse" lesson by an Insect Preparator from the American Museum of Natural History), showcasing the most perverse yet imaginative anatomical reconstructions of the animal kingdom you'll ever see.

A quirky, timely, and disturbingly beautiful how-to taxidermy guide, emphasizing ethical sourcing and personal expression Whether inspiration came from an exhibition at an edgy art gallery, a visit to the Natural History Museum, or the sight of your crazy uncle’s jackalope, more and more people are opening up to the fun and wonder of taxidermy. A mix of art, science, and a touch of alchemy, taxidermy lets you engage with the natural world in ways most other people don’t. In Stuffed Animals, Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato demystify the practice, shatter the gross stereotypes, and make taxidermy accessible to anyone, anywhere. Committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing, Anantharaman and Innamorato are part of the vanguard of young taxidermists who bring a sense of fun and experimentation to this old-school hobby. In their sold-out classes in Brooklyn, they teach hundreds of taxidermy novices how to create mantle-worthy pieces out of small birds and mammals. Both a helpful how-to manual and a strangely captivating gift book, Stuffed Animals is the definitive guide to a growing movement.

At head of title: Morbid Anatomy Museum.

A young amnesiac spinster contends with missing persons and murder in this gothic thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author of Labyrinth. 1912—In a remote village near the coast in Sussex, residents gather in a churchyard. More than a decade into the twentieth century, superstition still holds sway: It is St. Mark’s Eve, the night when the shimmering ghosts of those fated to die in the coming year are said to materialize and amble through the church doors. In the crowd is Constantia Gifford, the taxidermist’s daughter. Twenty-two and unmarried, she lives with her father in a decaying mansion cluttered with the remains of his once world-famous museum of taxidermy. No one speaks of why the museum was shuttered or how the Giffords fell so low. Connie herself has no recollection—a childhood accident has erased all memory of her earlier days. The locals shun Blackthorn House and the strange spinster who practices her father’s macabre art. When a woman is found dead—a stranger Connie noticed near the church—snippets of long-lost memories begin to tease through Connie’s mind, offering her glimpses of her vanished years. Who is the victim, and why has her death affected Connie so deeply? Why is she watched by a mysterious figure who has suddenly appeared on the nearby marsh? The answers are tied to a dark secret that lies at the heart of Blackthorn House, hidden among the bell jars of her father’s workshop—a mystery that draws Connie closer to danger . . . closer to madness . . . closer to the startling truth. Praise for The Taxidermist’s Daughter “The Taxidermist’s Daughter is amazing―atmospheric, gripping . . . I can’t put it down.” —Marian Keyes, author of This Charming Man “A superb, atmospheric thriller.” —Daily Mail (UK) “[A] fruitful use of meticulous research. A well-written page-turner.” —Historical Novel Society