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Dry Store Room No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum
 
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Dry Store Room No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum (Paperback)

by Richard Fortey (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Review
'This book is worthy of the place it tells us about, and that is a pretty lofty chunk of praise.' The Times 'In this loving survey of his life at the museum, Fortey...is never less than enthused by all the museum's collections.' Financial Times 'Fortey...sneaks us behind the scenes with all the glee of a small child seeing for the first time the museum's iconic Diplodocus skeleton. The beauty of the book is that - just like a museum - you can visit the different sections in any order you choose, lingering in the places that most take your fancy ... and there is plenty of solid science to enjoy, elucidated with brilliant flair.' Sunday Times 'His glorious new book is generously illustrated!the tale he tells is often very funny as well as erudite!it is impossible to avoid list--making in reviewing such a book. Really, all that needs to be said is simply read it, and enjoy it.' Country Life 'This book is worthy of the place it tells us about, and that is a pretty lofty chunk of praise' The Times 'In this loving survey of his life at the museum, Fortey!is never less than enthused by all the museum's collections' Financial Times 'Fortey!in his affectionate portrayal of the institution in which he spent his working life!sneaks us behind the scenes with all the glee of a small child seeing for the first time the museum's iconic Diplodocus skeleton!always authoritative!the beauty of the book is that -- just like a museum -- you can visit the different sections in any order you choose, lingering in the places that most take your fancy!and there is plenty of solid science to enjoy, elucidated with brilliant flair' Sunday Times 'Engaging!Fortey's writing is enough to make the behind-the-scenes work of the museum totally fascinating!(his) delightful book, like the museum it describes, is both rambling and elegant' Sunday Telegraph 'Fortey has a scientist's regard for fact but a poet's delight in wonder. This is a rare intoxicating insight into a hidden community intent on unlocking the universe's myriad secrets' Metro

The Independent
'Immensely satisfying...not just enjoyable and informative, but inspiring.'

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful book, 7 Sep 2008
By Big Jim "Big Jim" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
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.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars dry store room no.1, 17 Mar 2008
By Mrs. Virginia Giles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review
Condition is a s good as new, not dog-eared or folded pages or broken spine, great!
Published 1 month ago by Ms. E. J. Martin

3.0 out of 5 stars Fortey-fying but with an aftertaste
Dr Fortey's latest (Dry Store Room No. 1) is a mixed bag. It is introduced as an idiosyncratic account of London's natural Historyand Museum, based on Fortey's own career and that... Read more
Published 2 months ago by barbicandy

5.0 out of 5 stars If you were ever taken here as a child, read this now.
A fascinating look behind the scenes at London's top museum. This is packed with wonderful, interesting stories about the staff and specimens, and is incredibly readable.
Published 4 months ago by C. Howells

5.0 out of 5 stars Store Room isn't really dry.
While the book doesn't really live up to expectations - no uncovering of marvelous little secrets, for instance - it is fascinating to read & quite gripping. Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. K. Dillon

5.0 out of 5 stars Dry Store Room No. 1
Another excellent book from Richard Fortey. This is not just a history of a great museum and its (sometimes) eccentric denizens: it makes a compelling claim for the importance of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. LAMBERT

5.0 out of 5 stars Opening the locked doors
This book allows the reader into areas of the museum they will never ever see......

Each section will never be the same again.
Published 5 months ago by N. Titchmarsh

1.0 out of 5 stars Had to put it down
I was really excited to read this book...it sounded so interesting. Even though I am a Creationist and expected to read accounts of evolution that I do not necessarily agree... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Seattle Reader

4.0 out of 5 stars Life Begins For Fortey
Richard Fortey is brave to include the word "Dry" in the title of this scientific ramble, since "dry" is exactly what a prospective reader could think when confronted with a book... Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. J. O'neill

1.0 out of 5 stars A boring book with an interesting title
A very boring and tedious book that should have been left on the shelves with the other unseen exhibits.
Published 16 months ago by P. Malling

5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read
Once again, another good book from Fortey. His writing style is completely addictive and difficult to put down - if only he would write more!
Published 16 months ago by Garry Paton

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