{"title":"Professor John Simons","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of Professor John Simons, a distinguished author known for his intriguing takes on history, nature, and culture. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious learner, or someone who revels in unique narratives, you'll find Simons's works an enriching addition to your collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \"Goldfish in the Parlour,\" Professor Simons dives into the enchanting history of domesticated animals, examining how these creatures have become beloved companions in human households. His storytelling is both informative and delightful, making history feel alive and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith \"Obaysch,\" Simons turns his attention to the fascinating tale of the first hippopotamus in England, weaving a narrative that is as much about the cultural milieu of Victorian Britain as it is about the creature itself. It's an engrossing read that blends meticulous research with engaging storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur selection of Professor John Simons's books belongs to categories such as History \u0026amp; Military and Education \u0026amp; Reference, offering insightful resources for both academic study and personal exploration. Discover the captivating insights of Professor Simons and allow his works to broaden your understanding of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"goldfish-in-the-parlour-by-professor-john-simons-9781743328729","title":"Goldfish in the Parlour","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the first time, fish became our companions and a corner of many a Victorian parlour was given over to housing tiny fragments of their world enclosed in glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe experience of seeing a fish swimming in a glass tank is one we take for granted now, but in Victorian England, this was a remarkable sight. People had simply not been able to see fish as they could with the invention of the aquarium and everything that went with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGoldfish in the Parlour\u003c\/i\u003e looks at the Victorian-era boom in the building of public aquariums, as well as the craze for home aquariums and visiting the seaside. Furthermore, this book considers how people see and meet animals and, importantly, in what institutions and in what contexts these encounters happen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Simons uncovers the sweeping consequences of the Victorian obsession with marine animals by looking at naturalist Frank Buckland's Museum of Economic Fish Culture and the role of fish in the Victorian economy, the development of angling as a sport divided along class lines, the seeding of Empire with British fish, and comparisons with aquarium building in Europe, USA, and Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGoldfish in the Parlour\u003c\/i\u003e interrogates the craze that took over Victorian England when aquariums introduced fish to parks, zoos, and parlours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849187709164,"sku":"9781743328729","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19188973482808.jpg?v=1759026664"},{"product_id":"obaysch-by-professor-john-simons-9781743325865","title":"Obaysch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eObaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London\u003c\/i\u003e is the story of Obaysch the hippopotamus, the first 'star' animal to be exhibited in the London Zoo. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1850, a baby hippopotamus arrived on English shores, allegedly the first in Europe since the Roman Empire, and almost certainly the first in Europe since prehistoric times. Captured near an island from which he took his name, Obaysch was donated by the viceroy of Egypt in exchange for greyhounds and deerhounds. His arrival was greeted with a wave of 'Hippomania', doubling the number of visitors to the zoo.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUncovering the circumstances of Obaysch's capture and exhibition, John Simons investigates the notion of a 'star' animal, as well as the cultural value that Obaysch, and the other hippos who joined him over the following few years, accumulated. This book also delves into the historical context of Obaysch and his audience, considering the relationship between Victorian attitudes to hippopotami and the expansion of the British Empire into sub-Saharan Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e'Obaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London\u003c\/i\u003e is a fine example of how an academic book can work for a general readership...it is over and above an accessible, intelligent, charming, sometimes funny, sometimes sad account of Obaysch.' - Stephen Romei, \u003ci\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47362937028844,"sku":"9781743325865","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19160333482808.jpg?v=1772904536"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/professor-john-simons.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}