42 Tales from Life: A Modern Bestiary
42 Tales from Life: A Modern Bestiary is a popular science book by Richard Dawkins about animal forms, evolution and behaviour. Its 368 pages pair accessible evolutionary discussions with illustrations by nineteenth-century scientist Ernst Haeckel, according to the listing.
At a glance
- Explores animal evolution through popular-science essays on subjects including fish movement, rhinoceros horns and hummingbird colours.
- Combines Richard Dawkins’s writing with illustrations by Ernst Haeckel.
- The listing describes it as an accessible work for readers interested in evolutionary biology and animal behaviour.
Reference price: $51.95
Price checked: Nov 13, 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- The varied animal examples offer several entry points into evolutionary biology.
- Haeckel’s illustrations add a visual component to the science writing.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Yale University Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | Oct. 20 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 368 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0300303793 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0300303797 |
| Dimensions | 16.43 x 2.97 x 23.52 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 816 g |
What to know before buying
- The listing identifies a publication date of Oct. 20 2026. Confirm availability and edition details if buying before that date.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in popular science, zoology and evolution.
- Readers who value illustrated books about animal forms and behaviour.
- Fans of Richard Dawkins or Ernst Haeckel’s scientific illustrations.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a technical textbook, field guide or a book focused on one animal group.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
63% 63% - 4 stars
0% 0% - 3 stars
37% 37% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
0% 0%
The available aggregate rating is entirely five-star, but it comes from only two ratings and no written feedback is supplied. That is too small a basis for judging how readers respond to the science writing, illustrations or level of accessibility.
Frequently asked questions
What topics does 42 Tales from Life cover?
The listing describes discussions of animal forms and behaviour, including fish movement, rhinoceros horns, similarities between horses and lizards, and hummingbird colours.
Who wrote and illustrated the book?
The listing names Richard Dawkins as the author and says the tales are accompanied by art from nineteenth-century German scientist Ernst Haeckel.
How long is the book?
The listed print length is 368 pages.
What language is it in?
The listing gives the language as English.
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