Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Inspiring Volume, 10 Feb 2006
A wonderful new Housekeeping book from the National Trust. This book is not just one for the serious reader, although it is very professional and in depth, but for anyone with an interest in historic homes and collections. Beautifully illustrated with fascinating photographs from National Trust houses, it is full of intriguing historical detail, practical advice and is infused through with a passion and enthusiasm for history and beauty that is really exciting. A book which rewards both coffee table leafing and really serious reference; it has everything!

Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Inspiring Volume, 10 Feb 2006
A wonderful new Housekeeping book from the National Trust. This book is not just one for the serious reader, although it is very professional and in depth, but for anyone with an interest in historic homes and collections. Beautifully illustrated with fascinating photographs from National Trust houses, it is full of intriguing historical detail, practical advice and is infused through with a passion and enthusiasm for history and beauty that is really exciting. A book which rewards both coffee table leafing and really serious reference; it has everything!

Nationalistic??, 12 Jul 2008
The introduction of the term "universal museum" is obviously done to cover and to justify the reality that the museums in question have indeed collected in many cases artefacts from various countries under dubious if not purely illegal circumstances. Branding the call for repatriation of artefacts to their originating countries as "nationalistic" is simply pathetic. When and by whom was it decided that the museums in question should assume the role of "universal museums"? Was the local population where the artefacts were taken from consulted for this?

Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Inspiring Volume, 10 Feb 2006
A wonderful new Housekeeping book from the National Trust. This book is not just one for the serious reader, although it is very professional and in depth, but for anyone with an interest in historic homes and collections. Beautifully illustrated with fascinating photographs from National Trust houses, it is full of intriguing historical detail, practical advice and is infused through with a passion and enthusiasm for history and beauty that is really exciting. A book which rewards both coffee table leafing and really serious reference; it has everything!

Nationalistic??, 12 Jul 2008
The introduction of the term "universal museum" is obviously done to cover and to justify the reality that the museums in question have indeed collected in many cases artefacts from various countries under dubious if not purely illegal circumstances. Branding the call for repatriation of artefacts to their originating countries as "nationalistic" is simply pathetic. When and by whom was it decided that the museums in question should assume the role of "universal museums"? Was the local population where the artefacts were taken from consulted for this?

understanding art museums, 06 Mar 2007
As a theorist of art and Art myself, I am struck by how very few books offer insight into the problem of Modern Art, the public promotion, civic installation and academic endorsement of a mostly bogus offering of artistic marvel, 1917 to present. This book, together with Carol Duncan's other book 'The Aesthetics of Power', is among that very few.

Her chief contribution is to explain what kind of social and political context (revolutionary politics), in Europe, led to the birth of the modern public Art museum in the early 19th century. The model she offers is the palace and its treasure nationalized and opened to public perambulation. For me, her essays brought an added perspective that allowed everything else I was thinking about for years to fall into place. Alas, she has not applied this perspective and her cool intelligence to 20th century developments in Art - the flip from an art of illusion to an illusion of Art. But then, nor has anyone else, yet.

Delightful book, 07 Sep 2008
This more than just a description of a museum. This is also a journey into the history of the natural sciences and a part biography as well. Well illustarted, Richard Fortey describes an institution that is trying hard (and succeeding if the new Darwin Centre is any guide)to move with the times, make science accesible to the public, yet has more going on behind the scenes than we could ever give credit.

Anyone who lives in or visits London should pay more than one visit to this marvelous place, and thanks to this book they will be well briefed as to what goes and has gone on there.

Marvellous stuff., 18 Mar 2008
Dry Store Room No.1 is a wonderful book that allows the reader an insight into the fascinating world of the Natural History Museum, London. In this book Mr Fortey tells us; not only about the exhibits, but also about the work behind them and the men and women who carried out this work. We learn about all sorts of things from the ghastly stenches of the pit where Whale carcasses are stripped of flesh to the curator who obsessively categorized everything including "string too short for further use".

The science parts can occasionally be a bit hard to understand but like another reviewer I see that as my lack of understanding not Mr Fortey's lack of clarity and besides what would life be if we didn't stretch ourselves once in a while.

I thoroughly recommend this for the sort of person who likes a behind the scenes look at life.

dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
Richard Fortey writes as always with elegance, passion and lucidity that is a plesure to read. if I haave to re-read some of the 'science' it is because I am not a scientist not his lack of clarity. all his books are informative and enlarge our view of the world.


A boring book with an interesting title, 08 Mar 2008
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.

A joy to read, 08 Mar 2008
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!

Inspiring Volume, 10 Feb 2006
A wonderful new Housekeeping book from the National Trust. This book is not just one for the serious reader, although it is very professional and in depth, but for anyone with an interest in historic homes and collections. Beautifully illustrated with fascinating photographs from National Trust houses, it is full of intriguing historical detail, practical advice and is infused through with a passion and enthusiasm for history and beauty that is really exciting. A book which rewards both coffee table leafing and really serious reference; it has everything!

Nationalistic??, 12 Jul 2008
The introduction of the term "universal museum" is obviously done to cover and to justify the reality that the museums in question have indeed collected in many cases artefacts from various countries under dubious if not purely illegal circumstances. Branding the call for repatriation of artefacts to their originating countries as "nationalistic" is simply pathetic. When and by whom was it decided that the museums in question should assume the role of "universal museums"? Was the local population where the artefacts were taken from consulted for this?

understanding art museums, 06 Mar 2007
As a theorist of art and Art myself, I am struck by how very few books offer insight into the problem of Modern Art, the public promotion, civic installation and academic endorsement of a mostly bogus offering of artistic marvel, 1917 to present. This book, together with Carol Duncan's other book 'The Aesthetics of Power', is among that very few.

Her chief contribution is to explain what kind of social and political context (revolutionary politics), in Europe, led to the birth of the modern public Art museum in the early 19th century. The model she offers is the palace and its treasure nationalized and opened to public perambulation. For me, her essays brought an added perspective that allowed everything else I was thinking about for years to fall into place. Alas, she has not applied this perspective and her cool intelligence to 20th century developments in Art - the flip from an art of illusion to an illusion of Art. But then, nor has anyone else, yet.

Very Good, 25 Oct 2004
Peter Howard is an excellent writer, and passionate about heritage. Definitely worth reading if you have an interest in the area.