The Doomsday Book Of Animals

Ostrich - Emu - Doves and pigeons - Heron and petrel - Sea birds - Talking birds - Parrots - Birds of paradise - Game birds - Wolves - Bears - Lion - Tiger - Big cats - Bison and wild ox - Elk - Wild horses - Marsupials - Thylacine - Wallaby - Potoroo - Bandicoot - Rats and bats - Reptiles and amphibiaans - Tree snake - Giant tortoise - Skink - Fishsh_____________

A descriptive account of the extinction of nearly 300 species and subspecies between 1680 and 1980, profusely illustrated with drawings and watercolor paintings.

An astounding tale of a dangerous quest, a talking dog, and fragmented fairy tales in an eerie post-climate collapse future. A long time ago, the Vanderchucks fled the growing climate disaster and followed their neighbours into the Underground. Jesse Vanderchuck thought it was the end. Of the world. Of life. Eventually, Jesse’s little sister, Olivia, ran away and Jesse started picking through trash heaps in Toronto’s abandoned subway tunnels. Day in, day out. Now, years later, Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world aboveground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool’s errand to find Olivia — or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.

"The Great Auk, the Japanese Wolf, the Atlas Bear, the Cape Lion, the Elephant Bird, the Mauritius Giant Tortoise -- these are among the hundreds of beautiful birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish which the world will never see again. David Day and four leading wildlife artists have worked from expert research, museum records and contemporary sketches and notes, to recreate for the modern reader these beautiful and sometimes extraordinary creatures. The author's immediate and startling text describes the combination of cruelty, startling thoughtlessness and sheer commercial greed that largely led to the extinction of these species. His highly readable descriptions of each animal's appearance, behaviour and habitat, complemented by the authentic, breathtaking illustrations provide a dramatic historical record. David Day documents for the first time the extinction of almost 300 species and subspecies over the last 300 years. It is a fact that the rate of extinction during the last three centuries has multiplied several hundred times its previous rate and is still increasing ... Therefore, alongside reference maps and classification listings, David Day gives a "waiting list" of 400 critically endangered species ..."--Inside front cover

Animals from all around the world are portrayed, including the stealthy tiger, the bounding deer and the majestic polar bear. Poetry underscores the mythical quality of the paintings.