This beautifully illustrated book is both a catalogue of an exhibition (Of Elephants & Roses: Encounters with French Natural History, 1790–1830) that was held at the American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum in Philadelphia between 25 March and 31 December 2011, and a collection of papers that originated in the accompanying symposium that took place on 1–3 December 2011. The exhibition comprised objects from the collections of the APS, alongside loans from several French and American institutions. This volume is divided into six thematic sections, with nineteen essays, five commentaries and five transcripts of discussions between symposium participants and audience members. There are contributions from scholars of art, science, literature and social history. This project uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine scientific theories that emerged during this golden age of French natural history (1790–1830), and is supported by specimens, manuscripts and artworks. Of Elephants & Roses focuses on two important natural-history sites in France – the Muséum d'histoire naturelle in Paris, and Empress Josephine's residence outside the city, Malmaison.

This book is superbly edited by Sue Ann Prince, with a wealth of images that allows readers to admire many of the objects from the exhibition. Richard Burkhardt's keynote essay ‘Civilizing specimens and citizens at the Muséum d'histoire naturelle, 1793–1838’ demonstrates the economic benefits of natural history and its role in civilizing specimens and French citizens by providing a well-ordered image of nature and society. Part II, ‘About gardens and gardening’, reconsiders the traditional view of Empress Josephine as a frivolous spendthrift and focuses on her scientific interests. She was a patron, a plant-collector and a promoter of agronomy in France who organized exchanges of plants and animals with other institutions. Josephine carefully crafted an identity as a shepherdess, introduced hundreds of merino sheep to Malmaison and turned her sheep farm into a profitable enterprise. This domestic prosperity distracted public attention from Napoleon's disastrous colonial policies. Josephine collected specimens of rare plants and exotic animals; her menagerie included orang-utans, black emus and kangaroos; and she was the first person to breed black swans in captivity outside Australia. Malmaison benefited from the influx of plants and animals from Napoleon's conquests.

Part III, ‘Cultivating useful knowledge’, tells the story of two famous elephants, Hans and Parkie, who were confiscated as war booty from the Netherlands and shipped to France in 1798. Elise Lipowitz examines the seizure of natural-history collections from European countries, particularly the Dutch Stadholder collection. The expropriation of natural-history objects as spoils of conquest was a deviation from earlier wartime practices, and Lipowitz argues that the new ideology of linking natural history to economic and moral reform was the primary reason for these confiscations. The Dutch were known to possess the rarest and best-preserved natural-history specimens, with many imported from their colonies, and the transfer of the Stadholder collection to France contributed significantly to the Muséum d'histoire. This collection effectively shifted the epicentre of European natural history from the Netherlands to France, and ushered in the golden age of French natural history. Elizabeth Hyde analyses the increasing importance of the New World as a source of information and botanical specimens for European scientists. The French explorer André Michaux was sent to North America by Louis XVI in 1785 to search for plants and trees that could be beneficial to France. He facilitated the exchange of botanical seeds on both sides of the Atlantic as rare specimens from North America were highly prized by European botanists, gardeners and collectors.

Part IV, ‘Making art, communicating science’, explores the intersections between art and science, and the importance of visual imagery in the depiction of wild animals at the Ménagerie of the Muséum d'histoire naturelle. The interest in observing live animals provoked images of greater empathy from artists, and captured the personalities and behaviours of animals, such as lions and elephants. The artist Jean Hoüel painted elephants roaming free in their natural environment rather than in captivity, and often the stark reality and appalling conditions in which the animals were kept were not depicted.

Part V, ‘Natural history and French culture’, discusses the impact of natural history on political, social and cultural life in France. It tells the fascinating tale of a female giraffe shipped as a political gift from the viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X in 1826. In popularity and interest this object of curiosity was unlike anything previously seen, and illustrates the first steps toward a modern consumer culture. The growth of the press, increased literacy and the reintroduction in 1827 of strict censorship laws preventing newspapers from commenting upon current affairs encouraged public interest in the giraffe. It drew large crowds, and many everyday items such as plates, fans and purses were embellished with the image of a giraffe. Alain Lescart reveals that in numerous political prints and pamphlets, the giraffe became a mouthpiece for freedom of the press. However, by the end of 1827 much of the public interest in the giraffe had waned, reflecting the capricious nature of the public.

The previous five thematic sections are elegantly woven together in the final section, ‘French natural history: reflecting back, looking forward’. The interdisciplinary approach of the essays in Of Elephants & Roses wonderfully captures the excitement and importance of natural history in France from the Revolution to the July Monarchy. Despite the focus on two natural-history sites, this volume will undoubtedly have considerable impact on future studies.