Masterminding Nature: The Breeding of Animals, 1750-2010

‘This is a richly informative book that draws on Derry’s academic training and long experience as practical breeder.’

Ann Norton Greene, Agricultural History vol 90:01:2016

‘This is a historian with deep and personal fascination for the world of animal breeding… There is much information in this book. It can be used as a reference for the key movements, ideas and people in the history of animal breeding.’

Jennifer Adlem, The British Journal for the History of Science vol 49:01:2016

‘Masterminding Nature is an informative account of the various innovations that have marked the livestock industry.’

Anna Thompson Hajdik, Business History Review vol 90:01:2016

‘Masterminding Nature is an ambitious and a valuable contribution to the literature.’

Rebecca J.H. Woods, Endeavour vol 30:10:2016

‘The book offers a gold mine of information for historians of breeding and of the agricultural sciences more generally, and several of its overreaching themes are potentially of interest to a wider range of historians.’

Jonathan Harwood, Isis Journal September 2016

“Masterminding Nature is an impressive, detailed, and thorough book by an expert who has both academic and hands-on experience in the realm of domesticated animal breeding. It is crisp, clear, and meticulous.” Sandra Swart, Department of History, University of Stellenbosch

“Margaret E. Derry’s book provides an overview that will serve as a starting and reference point for animal breeding studies for years to come. A pleasure to read, the book presents the subject matter in an accessible way: no specialist knowledge is required to understand her narrative.”

Bert Theunissen, Director, Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities, Utrecht University