A little-known, fascinating story about Thomas Jefferson and his obsessive quest to find America's first complete mastodon skeleton.
Thomas Jefferson: Third president of the United States. Author of the Declaration of Independence. Obsessive prehistoric mammal hunter?? It's true! In this little-known slice of American history, see Thomas Jefferson as never before!
In the late 1700's, America was a new nation, with a vast west that held age-old secrets: Bones! Massive tusks and enormous animal skeletons were being discovered and Thomas Jefferson - politician AND scientist - was captivated. What were these giant beasts? Did they still roam on American soil? Jefferson needed to find out. Funding explorers, including the famed Lewis and Clark, Jefferson sought to find a complete prehistoric mastodon skeleton - one which would advance the young science of paleontology, but would also put this upstart young country on the world stage. Follow along on the incredible journey - full of triumphs and disappointments, discoveries and shipwrecks, ridicule and victory.
Author Candice Ransom researched this amazing story for years before telling this tale, closely collaborating with Jefferson scholars and natural history experts. Jamey Christoph's moody, luminous illustrations paint the scene: A young country, a president with a thirst for knowledge, and an obsessive, years-long quest to find the prehistoric bones that would prove the importance of a growing nation.
- ISBN10 0525646086
- ISBN13 9780525646082
- Publish Date 4 February 2020
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 8 February 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Doubleday Books for Young Readers
- Format Hardcover (Library Binding)
- Pages 40
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780525646082