Extraordinary biography about an extraordinary and dearly beloved woman by generations around the world! There are times when I would like to have a 6th star for Extraordinary or Magnificent. This is such a review moment. I researched the length of time it took for Linda Lear to write this phenomenal and prodigious biography and discovered an answer in her own words..."Writing 'A Life in Nature' (the original and my favourite title) was an eight year process from the time I went to the UK until the time the book was published by Penguin (UK) and St Martin’s Press in the US."

Background to my reading Beatrix Potter's biography...
I don't specifically remember reading Peter Rabbit as a child but I know I knew the story. As an elementary school librarian I remember ordering the set of Beatrix Potter stories in the late 1980's. The set was beautiful! Each book was the size of a 3" x 5" index card held vertically and each had a lovely white book jacket with the title across the top, an illustration from the story, and then by Beatrix Potter across the bottom. I covered each book in a Mylar (clear plastic) cover. The first Kindergarten class that came to the library after the books were put on the shelves borrowed them all and class after class of children borrowed them in Kindergarten and 1st grade classes until the end of the school year. I had ignored naysayers that saw the books as I was processing them (with the school library stamp, Mylar cover, etc.) that advised the books would be stolen or never returned by the students. They were wrong. The little ones loved the books and of course they fit so perfectly in those little hands. Seeing the joy on their faces has always stayed with me.

I only knew of Beatrix Potter as a beloved author of children's literature. However, in the span of her life Beatrix Potter Heelis made incredible accomplishments in a wide range of fields. To have accomplished so much while simultaneously addressing the needs of elderly parents (particularly her mother who lived for many years beyond her husband), support to her brother's widow, and care for members of her husband's family is not only to Potter’s credit but adds to one's respect and admiration for this amazing woman that did not allow constraints of the times for women to embitter or restrain her curiosities and it definitely did not prevent her outstanding achievements. Linda Lear painstakingly takes the reader on the journey through Beatrix Potter's adventurous life. Lear's writing reflects the details of her research sharing Potter's own words whenever possible. With the depth of research one might perceive that this biography would be like reading a thesis but that simply is not the case. The reader becomes engrossed in the unparalleled life of Beatrix Potter and enraptured by Lear's passion to open the reader’s knowledge and curiosity to learn about an extraordinary life - an extraordinary person - an extraordinary woman not only in the times she lived but for all time.

I am deeply thankful to Linda Lear for her passion and dedication in taking the unique journey of research and travels, and using her own writing talent to write this comprehensive biography. I am also appreciative to all in publishing who helped make this book available. ( )

About the author, quoting from the book's back cover, "An environmental historian and biographer, Linda Lear is the author of the prize-winning study 'Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature.' [She is] an enthusiastic naturalist and collector of botanical art. . ." About the book, quoting from the back cover, ". . .Linda Lear offers the astonishing portrait of an extraordinary woman who gave us some of the most beloved children's books of all time. Potter found freedom from her conventional Victorian upbringing in the countryside. Nature inspired her imagination as an artist and scientific illustrator, but 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' brought her fame, financial success, and the promise of happiness when she fell in love with her editor, Norman Warne. . .As a visionary landowner, successful farmer, and sheep breeder, she was able to preserve the landscape that had inspired her art." This work contains extensive notes, a select bibliography, and illustrations and photographs in black and white and color. The book includes an epilogue titled "Stewardship: The Lake District."

When this book was chosen by my book group I was not enthusiastic, as I thought it would be all about Beatrix Potter's creation of Peter Rabbit. That is certainly part of the content but I had no idea until I read this that Potter was involved in so many areas: not only a children's author and illustrator, she also produced ground-breaking research in the field of mycology (fungi) which was only properly appreciated many years later, she was a well-respected, self-taught expert on Lake District sheep and she also was instrumental in setting up the National Trust and was one of their early and vital donors.

This is a fascinating account of a Victorian female polymath, which I thoroughly enjoyed. ( )

the great and thorough research undertaken for the writing of this book really serves to give readers a better, more complete picture of beatrix potter. i deducted a star because lear's prose does not flow terribly well and can be repetitive and, early on, a bit of a yawn-fest. luckily that particular kink gets worked out by the author. i have long admired potter but had not really read such comprehensive information about her in the past. her life really was remarkable, not only because of her fame and achievement as a writer of children's books, but for her intellect, artistic talents and respect for nature. as well, her feistiness and determination makes her even that much more admirable!! ( )

Really well-researched and, moreover, well-written. Not an everyday combination in biographies. ( )