Searching for the Secrets of Nature: The Life and Works of Dr. Francisco Hernandez

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Searching for the Secrets of Nature: The Life and Works of Dr. Francisco Hernandez

Manufacturer: Stanford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

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Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0804739641
Release Date: 2001-01-29

This collection of essays by historians, historians of science and medicine, and literary and textual scholars—from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Spain—analyzes the achievements of Dr. Francisco Hernández (1515-87) in the history of medicine and science in Europe and the Americas. Celebrated in his own day as one of Spain’s leading physicians and naturalists, he is now best remembered for his monumental work on the native plants and materia medica of central Mexico.

Sent to New Spain in 1570 by King Philip II to research and describe the natural history of the region, to assess the medical usefulness of the natural resources, and to gather ethnographic materials for an anthropological history, Hernández was the first trained scientist to undertake scientific work in the New World. For seven years he gathered information throughout the Valley of Mexico, learning Nahuatl, recording local medical customs, studying indigenous medicines, and writing down all his observations. The result was The Natural History of New Spain, written in Latin, which consisted of six folio volumes filled with descriptions of over 3,000 plants previously unknown in Europe (along with descriptions of a much smaller number of animals and minerals) and ten folio volumes of paintings by Mexican artists illustrating the plants and animals he described.

Hernández died before he could publish his Natural History, and the materials were placed in the Escorial, where they were extensively consulted, copied, abstracted, and translated by generations of scientists, medical specialists, and natural philosophers before they were destroyed by fire in 1671. Hernández’s work was still regarded as authoritative on a number of New World botanical topics as late as the nineteenth century, and his writings remain in use in popular form in Mexico today.

The sixteen essays in this volume treat the most important aspects of Hernández’s experience, including his education, his heterodox beliefs, and the state of medicine in both Spain and New Spain during his era. Other essays show the dissemination of the knowledge Hernández accumulated, including his contributions to European botany and materia medica, his relationship to Spanish Baroque painting, the “globalization” of his work in the eighteenth century, and his place in nineteenth-century debates among Spanish scientists.

This guide provides extensive coverage of Andalucía’s stunning architectural and cultural heritage, with information on the region's many festivals, from centuries-old Semana Santa to the electronic mayhem of Creamfields Andalucía. Side trips explore the region's gorgeous coastline as well as lesser-known provinces like Jaén, Almeria, and Huelva. Up-to-the-minute reviews detailing the best places to stay, eat, shop, and party in Seville and other major cities, including Cordoba and Granada, make Time Out Seville and Andalucía a great resource for travelers.

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It's About Time, Liz!
It was mediocre.
i loved it!!!
Finally Liz!
Not that Bad

Elizabeth; University, Interrupted
Francine Pascal
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553493531
Release Date: 2001-01-09

This book is more of an introduction to the series than a real "first book". It shows why Elizabeth decides to go to London and it describes what happens when she gets there, up until the very end, when she finally finds a place to stay & work. The whole thing could've been a chapter or two. I thought the details were too drawn-out, and it was not a real page-turner. I'm hoping the other books in this series will be a lot better.

it basicallystarts out when elizabeth catches her sister kissint her boyfriend. little did she know jessica was saving her from loseing her verginity with the wrong guy. instead Elizabeth hops on a plane to london with her schallarship, which she is soon to realize when she gets there has been taken by someone elce cause she hasent responded by the dead line. so she gets stuck on the street with barley any money. and to her surprie she gets a job for a family of royalty as a made.

After Elizabeth catches her twin sister Jessica and her boyfriend Sam kissing one night, she bolts with the Jeep. SHe has no idea where she's going, she just knows she has to get away from Jessica and Sam. Elizabeth ends up at a diner in Springfield, Illinois...where she meets Daphne, and forms a great friendship.

After serious consideration, Elizabeth decides to go to University of London (she got a full-ride to study there for a semseter), but when she gets there - nothing goes right.

Yeah, this book was actually good, better than the SVU books, but not the best. It became really predictable by the end, because Elizabeth keeps getting into problem after problem. It is good escapist reading though.