Audiobook · read by volunteers
Squirrels and Other Fur-bearers
John Burroughs (1837–1921)
Read by Laura Caldwell · 15 chapters · 3 h 13
About the book
Who is that rustling in the treetops, and what does a woodchuck do all day? John Burroughs spent a lifetime watching the creatures of field and forest, and in Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers he shares what he has seen. With the patience of a true naturalist and the charm of a born storyteller, he brings squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, rabbits, hares, minks and more to life, describing their habits, their cleverness and their small dramas. The essays are warm, observant and full of personal encounters, and they make no demand on the listener but curiosity. Fifteen chapters, read by Laura Caldwell, fill just over three hours. Written for readers young and old, this is a gentle and rewarding book for anyone who loves the outdoors, and it will send you looking more closely at the wildlife in your own garden or park.
Introduction
John Burroughs (1837-1921) was one of the best-known American naturalists and essayists of his day. Born in the Catskill region of New York, he spent much of his life writing about the countryside, and his essays on birds, trees, rivers and weather found a large and loyal audience. He was a friend of Walt Whitman and later of figures such as John Muir, and he became known as a kind of poet-naturalist who combined careful observation with a literary style.
Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers was published in 1900 and is a collection of essays about small woodland mammals. It is aimed at a general audience, including younger readers, and it draws mainly on the author's personal observations. He writes about squirrels, the chipmunk, the woodchuck, the rabbit and the hare, as well as other animals, and he is as interested in their individual behaviour as in their general characteristics. The tone is conversational, and the occasional anecdote adds humour.
Burroughs belonged to a generation of writers who helped to shape how Americans thought about nature, and his books encouraged readers to look closely at what was around them. Some of his comments reflect the science and attitudes of the time, but the pleasure of attentive watching remains as fresh as ever.
This LibriVox recording is read by Laura Caldwell. It lasts about three hours and twelve minutes and is divided into fifteen files, one for each essay. It makes a pleasant companion for a walk, a long drive or a quiet afternoon, and it is especially suitable for families who like to learn about animals together.
Public domain
John Burroughs died in 1921: the work is in the public domain in Switzerland, more than 70 years after the author’s death.
The LibriVox volunteers dedicated this recording to the public domain.
Sources : LibriVox page · Files at the Internet Archive · Original text