The man's heart was restless; otherwise he would never have achieved so much. He must wander, he must vagabondize, he must acquire; he was never quite easy at the hearth. His love for nature was passionate indeed, pursuing him in all regions, burning him to the last.-Robert Buchanan in the Editor's PrefaceThis edited version of the diaries of John James Audubon reveals the ambitions, achievements, and personal life of the premiere wildlife artist of North America birds. First published in 1869, the book covers his coming to America, the difficulties he confronted in developing his art, his challenges in business and in publishing his works, and his sometimes unbelievable tales of life as an explorer. Above all, his love for outdoor adventure shines through.ROBERT BUCHANAN (1841-1901) was born in England and educated in Glasgow. As a young man, he was a regular on the literary scene in London, where he was a regular contributor to the city's periodicals. He authored numerous poems, novels, and stage plays, more than fifty of which were produced for the stage from the 1880s on, some directed by Buchanan himself.