{"product_id":"brethren-of-the-net-american-entomology-1840-1880-scholarly","title":"Brethren of the Net: American Entomology, 1840-1880 - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Brethren of the Net: American Entomology, 1840-1880, the bottom line is clear: this is a focused scholarly history for readers who want a deep, archival account of how American entomology matured in the 19th century. W. Conner Sorensen traces institutional growth, transatlantic links, and the backgrounds of key figures, offering a concise narrative that explains why the field moved from a few gentleman naturalists to a professional scientific community. The book is best for historians of science, entomologists with an interest in their discipline's roots, and graduate students seeking contextual analysis rather than a textbook survey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical synthesis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws together information from diverse sources to illuminate an important chapter in the history of American science, providing a single integrated account.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstitutional focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maps the rapid institutional growth of entomology in America, showing how societies, museums, and universities contributed to professionalization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransatlantic perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines the relationship between American and European entomology to explain scientific exchange and influence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Investigates the background of American entomologists to reveal social and educational roots that shaped the discipline.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical and applied links:\u003c\/strong\u003e Considers both entomological theory and applied practice to explain the field's expanding relevance to American society by the 1880s.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at academic readers: historians of science, professional entomologists curious about the field's development, and advanced students who need a research-oriented synthesis rather than an introductory primer. It suits readers who appreciate archival work and careful argument about institutional change and scientific networks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for a pocket field guide, identification keys, or a broad popular history of insects should look elsewhere; Sorensen's focus is analytic and institutional rather than taxonomic or hobbyist. The prose assumes some familiarity with 19th-century scientific institutions and historiographical concerns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear synthesis of scattered archival and published sources into a coherent narrative of professionalization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful transatlantic comparisons that clarify how European links shaped American practice and theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFocus on institutional growth makes it a good reference for scholars studying scientific organizations in the 19th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is specialized and not suited to readers seeking popular natural history or field identification material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrethren of the Net: American Entomology, 1840-1880\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eW. Conner Sorensen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistory of American science and entomology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInstitutional growth, transatlantic links, biographical backgrounds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTime period covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1840-1880\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorians, entomologists, graduate students\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrethren of the Net offers a concise, well-argued account of how American entomology professionalized between 1840 and 1880. Scholars and advanced students will find good value in its archival synthesis and institutional perspective; those expecting popular natural history or practical identification tools should consider other titles instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover identification or field techniques?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. No; the focus is historical and institutional rather than practical identification or field methodology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is the author and what perspective does he take?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. W. Conner Sorensen writes as a historian of science, emphasizing archival sources and institutional development in American entomology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnswer. It can serve in upper-level or graduate courses on history of science, but undergraduates may prefer more general surveys for introductory classes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"W. Conner Sorensen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48759310483675,"sku":"0817312366","price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51B2z9EJ0ZL._SL1200.jpg?v=1778406502","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/brethren-of-the-net-american-entomology-1840-1880-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}