Fabre's Book of Insects (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Classic Natural History Essays on Insect Behavior, Field Observation, and the Miniature Life of ProvenceBy Jean-Henri Fabre
Length7h 37m
About this audiobook
Fabre's Book of Insects presents the marvels of insect life through episodes drawn from Jean-Henri Fabre's celebrated entomological writings: the habits of wasps, beetles, cicadas, caterpillars, spiders, and other small creatures observed with patient exactitude. Its style is at once scientific and literary, transforming field notes into lucid narratives of behavior, instinct, struggle, and adaptation. In the tradition of nineteenth-century natural history, the book bridges empirical observation and moral wonder, making the miniature world of insects appear dramatic, intelligible, and profound. Jean-Henri Fabre (1823–1915), a French naturalist, teacher, and pioneering entomologist, spent much of his life observing insects in Provence, especially at his home and open-air laboratory, the Harmas. Largely self-taught and often working outside academic institutions, he developed a distinctive method grounded in direct experiment and long contemplation. His modest circumstances, pedagogical vocation, and deep attachment to the southern French landscape shaped his desire to make science vivid and accessible. This book is warmly recommended to readers who value natural history, elegant prose, and close attention to the living world. It will especially delight students, educators, and general readers seeking an introduction to entomology that is humane, exacting, and imaginatively alive.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreScience and Nature
Length7 hrs 37 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 10, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Fabre's Book of Insects (Annotated)
62TWO STRANGE GRASSHOPPERS
2Introduction
63I
3Synopsis
64THE EMPUSA
4Historical Context
65II
5CHAPTER I
66THE WHITE-FACED DECTICUS
Show all chaptersShow less
6MY WORK AND MY WORKSHOP
67CHAPTER X
7CHAPTER II
68COMMON WASPS
8THE SACRED BEETLE
69I
9I
70THEIR CLEVERNESS AND STUPIDITY
10THE BALL
71II
11II
72SOME OF THEIR HABITS
12THE PEAR
73III
13III
74THEIR SAD END
14THE GROWING-UP OF THE SCARAB
75CHAPTER XI
15CHAPTER III
76THE ADVENTURES OF A GRUB
16THE CICADA
77I
17I
78THE YOUNG SITARIS
18THE CICADA AND THE ANT
79II
19II
80THE FIRST ADVENTURE
20THE CICADA’S BURROW
81III
21III
82THE SECOND ADVENTURE
22THE CICADA’S MUSIC
83CHAPTER XII
23IV
84THE CRICKET
24THE CICADA’S EGGS
85I
25CHAPTER IV
86THE HOUSEHOLDER
26THE PRAYING MANTIS
87II
27I
88HIS HOUSE
28HER HUNTING
89III
29II
90HIS MUSICAL-BOX
30HER NEST
91CHAPTER XIII
31III
92THE SISYPHUS
32THE HATCHING OF HER EGGS
93CHAPTER XIV
33CHAPTER V
94THE CAPRICORN
34THE GLOW-WORM
95I
35I
96THE GRUB’S HOME
36HIS SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
97II
37II
98THE GRUB’S SENSATIONS
38HIS ROSETTE
99III
39III
100THE GRUB’S FORESIGHT
40HIS LAMP
101CHAPTER XV
41CHAPTER VI
102LOCUSTS
42A MASON-WASP
103I
43I
104THEIR VALUE
44HER CHOICE OF A BUILDING-SITE
105II
45II
106THEIR MUSICAL TALENT
46HER BUILDING
107III
47III
108THEIR EARLY DAYS
48HER PROVISIONS
109IV
49IV
110THEIR FINAL CHANGE
50HER ORIGIN
111CHAPTER XVI
51CHAPTER VII
112THE ANTHRAX FLY
52THE PSYCHES
113I
53I
114A STRANGE MEAL
54A WELL-DRESSED CATERPILLAR
115II
55II
116THE WAY OUT
56A DEVOTED MOTHER
117III
57III
118THE WAY IN
58A CLEVER TAILOR
119Analysis
59CHAPTER VIII
120Reflection
60THE SELF-DENIAL OF THE SPANISH COPRIS
121Memorable Quotes
61CHAPTER IX
More from Jean-Henri Fabre
The Life of the Caterpillar (Annotated)Jean-Henri Fabre8h 5m$2 · $0.00
The Glow-Worm and Other BeetlesJean-Henri Fabre7h 55m$2 · $0.00
The Mason-WaspsJean-Henri Fabre7h 41m$1 · $0.00
Animal Life in Field and GardenJean-Henri Fabre10h 49m$1 · $0.00
More Hunting WaspsJean-Henri Fabre9h 15m$2 · $0.00
Bramble-Bees and OthersJean-Henri Fabre8h 34m$1 · $0.00
Fabre's Book of InsectsJean-Henri Fabre7h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Story-book of Science (Annotated)Jean-Henri Fabre10h 50m$2 · $0.00
Vax FactsPaul Thomas MD, Deedee Hoover10h 26m$25
Life On Earth 40th Anniversary EditionSir David Attenborough12h 27m$29 · $0.00
BeyondStephen Walker15h 39m$33 · $0.00
A Brief History of IntelligenceMax S. Bennett12h 18m5.0 (1)$29 · $0.00
The Collected Works of John MuirJohn Muir95h 45m$2 · $0.00
LiftoffEric Berger9h 4m$29 · $0.00
Distant SkiesMelissa A. Priblo Chapman12h 39m$23
ApolloCharles Murray, Catherine Bly Cox18h 15m$30
The Story of BirdsSteve Brusatte11h 49m$29 · $0.00
Black Earth WisdomLeah Penniman11h 54m5.0 (1)$8 · $0.00
Crystals for BeginnersKaren Frazier3h 49m$20
What If? 10th Anniversary EditionRandall Munroe7h 29m$23
Nikola Tesla - Ultimate Collection: 70+ Scientific Works, Lectures & EssaysNikola Tesla48h 43m$2 · $0.00
Total Cat MojoJackson Galaxy10h 13m$23 · $0.00
Earth at NightNational Aeronautics and Space Administration2h 26m$1 · $0.00
My Life Among the UnderdogsTia Torres5h 51m$24 · $0.00
What It Takes to Save a LifeKwane Stewart6h$24 · $0.00
Pastoral SongJames Rebanks8h 35m$26 · $0.00
How Stella Learned to TalkChristina Hunger7h$24 · $0.00
Craig & FredCraig Grossi8h 6m$26 · $0.00
You may also like
Fabre's Book of InsectsJean-Henri Fabre6h 48m$2.30
The Mason-WaspsJean-Henri Fabre7h 41m$1 · $0.00
Insect Life Souvenirs of a NaturalistJean-Henri Fabre9h 25m$2.30
More Hunting WaspsJean-Henri Fabre9h 15m$2 · $0.00
White FeathersBernd Heinrich7h 9m$24 · $0.00
Squirrels and Other Fur-BearersJohn Burroughs3h 26m$2 · $0.00
Animal Life in Field and GardenJean-Henri Fabre10h 49m$1 · $0.00
The Life of the SpiderJean-Henri Casimir Fabre8h 28m$2 · $0.00
Wilderness WaysWilliam J. Long2h 57m$2 · $0.00
Bombay DucksDouglas Dewar7h 56m$2 · $0.00
Four against the ArcticDavid Roberts10h 44m$21
The Fungi Files: 7 Books on the Fascinating World of MushroomsGeorge Francis Atkinson, Charles McIlvaine, Robert K. Macadam, Roy Watling, M. J. Richardson, Ellen M. Dallas, Caroline A. Burgin, M. C. Cooke66h 35m$2 · $0.00
The Essence of Wilderness: 9 Classic Wildlife BooksAlfred Wellesley Rees, William Davenport Hulbert, John Burroughs, William J. Long, Joaquin Miller, William T. Hornaday, Enos A. Mills, Harry Perry Robinson52h 58m$2 · $0.00
EvolutionScientific American7h 23m$17
The Bird Watcher in the Shetlands, with Some Notes on Seals—and DigressionsEdmund Selous10h 51m$1 · $0.00
The Life of the BeeMaurice Maeterlinck7h 53m$1 · $0.00
Life at the Zoo: Notes and Traditions of the Regent's Park GardensC. J. Cornish9h 3m$1 · $0.00
Lightships And LighthousesFrederick Arthur Ambrose Talbot12h 22m$2.30
Secrets of the WoodsWilliam J. Long4h 59m$2 · $0.00
All About Aquatic Animals CollectionValerie Houston, Highlights for Children3h 3m$15