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A MESSAGE FROM STAN FREEMAN
In 1994, while working as a newspaper science writer in Massachusetts, I started Hampshire House Publishing Company as a part-time publisher of regional natural history guides. In the more than 25 years since then, I've published five state or regional guides. The two best-selling books, THE NATURAL HISTORY OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS and THE NATURAL HISTORY OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, have sold more than 20,000 copies between them.
However, I'm now retired and in my seventies and since this is a one-person operation, the books might disappear if I could no longer keep the publishing company operating. After consulting with Mike Nasuti, the award-winning illustrator for the books and near retirement himself, we've decided to make PDFs of the Eastern and Western Massachusetts guides available as free downloads on this site. The files can be shared freely but may not be used for reprinting the physical books, which will still be available on Amazon and through distributors supplying book stores. Below are the downloads in two sizes each – a larger file, nearly 45 MB, with high-resolution photos and graphics, and a smaller file, about 20 MB, that can be sent through most email systems. Also below is more information as well as reviews about all our guides. |
| the_natural_history_of_western_massachusetts_43_mb.pdf |
| the_natural_history_of_western_massachusetts_19.2_mb.pdf |
| the_natural_history_of_eastern_massachusetts_-_44.9_mb.pdf |
| the_natural_history_of_eastern_massachusetts_-_19.7_mb.pdf |
Our natural history guides are unique and comprehensive. We began with a series of articles covering dozens of topics – with text, illustrations, charts and photographs – and are attempting to adapt the material to each state or region in the series.
Each guide contains more than 400 full-color photographs and illustrations. The articles cover everything from bears and beavers to snakes and spiders to weather and wildflowers. Learn about your state's geology, its endangered species and its rivers and mountains. Find out how it was shaped by the ice age and the movement of the continents. Learn about the first human residents. There are identification charts and photos for common birds, butterflies, trees and wildflowers. And there’s a month-by-month calendar showing when events in nature happen in the state.
Each guide contains more than 400 full-color photographs and illustrations. The articles cover everything from bears and beavers to snakes and spiders to weather and wildflowers. Learn about your state's geology, its endangered species and its rivers and mountains. Find out how it was shaped by the ice age and the movement of the continents. Learn about the first human residents. There are identification charts and photos for common birds, butterflies, trees and wildflowers. And there’s a month-by-month calendar showing when events in nature happen in the state.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK
Second Edition
(2015)
ISBN: 978-0-9893333-1-3
Retail price – $23.95
First published in 2002, "The Natural History of New York" is an all-inclusive guide to the nature of New York. This second edition is 40 pages longer than the first version and adds new articles and more than 150 new photographs. Plus, it brings all the information in the original book up to date. Learn about the Iroquois Confederacy, Mount Marcy, the geology of Niagara Falls, the wildflowers of New York, the Finger Lakes, black bears, how the ice age formed Long Island, whales of New York coastal waters, the formation of the Adirondacks and Catskills, the monarch migration and more.
Second Edition
(2015)
ISBN: 978-0-9893333-1-3
Retail price – $23.95
First published in 2002, "The Natural History of New York" is an all-inclusive guide to the nature of New York. This second edition is 40 pages longer than the first version and adds new articles and more than 150 new photographs. Plus, it brings all the information in the original book up to date. Learn about the Iroquois Confederacy, Mount Marcy, the geology of Niagara Falls, the wildflowers of New York, the Finger Lakes, black bears, how the ice age formed Long Island, whales of New York coastal waters, the formation of the Adirondacks and Catskills, the monarch migration and more.
View the contents pages HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Reviews for the 2002 edition of
"The Natural History of New York"
"The Natural History of New York"
"Every once in a while, there comes along a book that aims to educate children but is actually entertaining and educational for adults, as well. Such a book is 'The Natural History of New York.' ... The book is a treasure chest of information for students of elementary and middle school age, and forward-looking parents ought to put it on their must-get list ... Easy-to-understand charts and tables and concise prose enable the young reader to enjoy learning about the natural world.” – The Staten Island Advance
“Informative graphics, maps and charts load the pages of 'The Natural History of New York' ... The book, aimed at older elementary and middle school students, is an easy-to-read and visually appealing look at the wildlife, wildflowers, geology, ecosystems, weather and the early humans in New York state ... 'The Natural History of New York,' told in an uncomplicated and easy way, would be a smart addition to classrooms and homes alike." – The Albany Times Union
“Informative graphics, maps and charts load the pages of 'The Natural History of New York' ... The book, aimed at older elementary and middle school students, is an easy-to-read and visually appealing look at the wildlife, wildflowers, geology, ecosystems, weather and the early humans in New York state ... 'The Natural History of New York,' told in an uncomplicated and easy way, would be a smart addition to classrooms and homes alike." – The Albany Times Union
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Second Edition
(2015)
ISBN: 97809893333-0-6
Retail price – $21.95
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Second Edition
(2015)
ISBN: 97809893333-0-6
Retail price – $21.95
A new entry in our series of state-by-state natural history guides, "The Natural History of Western Massachusetts - Second Edition," is an update of our 2007 first edition. New articles, charts and photographs have been added. Like our first edition, the book highlights the nature of Massachusetts' four western counties – Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties. Along with articles, photographs, maps, charts and illustrations, the book includes information about specific features and wildlife of the region, including Mount Greylock, the Connecticut River, timber rattlesnakes, the birds of Western Massachusetts, dragonflies, the Mohawk Trail State Forest, dinosaur footprints, bobcats, flight times for Western Massachusetts butterflies, bloom times for Western Massachusetts wildflowers, Quabbin Reservoir, old Lake Hitchcock and more.
View the contents pages HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Reviews for the 2007 edition of
"The Natural History of Western Massachusetts"
"The Natural History of Western Massachusetts"
“Over the years I've acquired several books on hiking, biking, kayaking, etc. ... Many of them are focused on the Northeast, or New England or Southern New England. They are good books, but precious few are dedicated to the Pioneer Valley area exclusively. Its trails, hills, wildlife. The nooks and crannies and beautiful places that only people who live here could know ... I finally came across the book that I'd been imagining, lo these many years ... To quote the cover: "Birds, wildflowers, ice age, trees, dinosaurs, bears, weather, beavers, turtles, butterflies, geology, fish, mountains, deer, frogs, ecosystems." All of it, and more. And easy to read and understand, for us slower kids in the class. Easy concise local information. With brilliant photos, drawings, and graphics ... If you enjoy the valley, you'll enjoy this book.”
– Tony Mateus, thepioneervalley.blogspot.com
“This book, filled with color photos on just about every page, is both enjoyable to read and educational, a combination that should help it find an audience of diverse ages and interests … Presented in a style that's accessible to young readers.”
– The Daily Hampshire Gazette
– Tony Mateus, thepioneervalley.blogspot.com
“This book, filled with color photos on just about every page, is both enjoyable to read and educational, a combination that should help it find an audience of diverse ages and interests … Presented in a style that's accessible to young readers.”
– The Daily Hampshire Gazette
THE NATURAL HISTORY
OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Second Edition
(2016)
ISBN: 978-0-9893333-4-4
Retail price – $23.95
OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Second Edition
(2016)
ISBN: 978-0-9893333-4-4
Retail price – $23.95
First published in 1998, "The Natural History of Eastern Massachusetts" is an all-inclusive guide to the nature of Massachusetts east of Quabbin Reservoir. This second edition brings all the original information up to date and adds many new articles and dozens of new photographs, charts and maps. Learn about moose and black bears, the first Thanksgiving, the effect of the ice age on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, the geology of the region, the Worcester tornado of 1953, bobcats and coyotes, the Charles River, the whales of Stellwagen Bank, flight times for butterflies and the bloom times for wildflowers and much more.
View the contents pages HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Reviews for the 1998 edition of
"The Natural History of Eastern Massachusetts"
"The Natural History of Eastern Massachusetts"
“If you buy a copy for your kids, you'll have a hard time putting it down yourself. The text by Stan Freeman is clear but does not oversimplify and the illustrations by Mike Nasuti are outstanding."
– The Quincy Patriot Ledger
“A wonderful introduction to the history and features of Massachusetts east of Quabbin Reservoir … Chock full of gorgeous photographs … It's also lots of fun."
– The North Andover Citizen
“A fascinating, richly illustrated guide … A delight for naturalists of all ages."
– The New England Wild Flower Society online book guide
– The Quincy Patriot Ledger
“A wonderful introduction to the history and features of Massachusetts east of Quabbin Reservoir … Chock full of gorgeous photographs … It's also lots of fun."
– The North Andover Citizen
“A fascinating, richly illustrated guide … A delight for naturalists of all ages."
– The New England Wild Flower Society online book guide
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF
PENNSYLVANIA
(2015)
ISBN: 97809893333-3-7
Retail price – $23.95
PENNSYLVANIA
(2015)
ISBN: 97809893333-3-7
Retail price – $23.95
"The Natural History of Pennsylvania," like our other guides in this series, is unusually comprehensive – the Allegheny plateau, American elk, the Johnstown flood, fox squirrels, Mount Davis, little brown bats, Cook State Forest, northern copperheads, the Gettysburg basin, American elk, the Drake oil well, baby bobcats, the Delaware River estuary, the Monarch migration, Penn's woods, leopard frogs and Ricketts Glenn State Park, among many topics.
View the contents pages HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
Retail stores can find out how to order the book HERE.
Individuals who want to order just one copy can do so on AMAZON HERE.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF
NEW JERSEY
(2016)
ISBN: 97809893333-5-1
Retail price – $23.95
NEW JERSEY
(2016)
ISBN: 97809893333-5-1
Retail price – $23.95
"The Natural History of New Jersey" is a comprehensive guide to the nature of the state. It covers bobcats and butterflies, right whales and red-tailed hawks, drifting continents and dragonflies.
Hurricane Sandy, the Passaic River, Kittatinny Mountain, the Haddonfield Hadrosaurus, the Newark Basin, Liberty State Park, the Pine Barrens, the Lenape people and the Delaware Water Gap are also covered.
As in our other state natural history guides for the Northeast, there are charts showing when butterflies appear and when wildflowers bloom. And there are checklists for New Jersey’s common birds, trees, butterflies and wildflowers. There is also a month-by-month calendar for when natural events occur in the state.
Hurricane Sandy, the Passaic River, Kittatinny Mountain, the Haddonfield Hadrosaurus, the Newark Basin, Liberty State Park, the Pine Barrens, the Lenape people and the Delaware Water Gap are also covered.
As in our other state natural history guides for the Northeast, there are charts showing when butterflies appear and when wildflowers bloom. And there are checklists for New Jersey’s common birds, trees, butterflies and wildflowers. There is also a month-by-month calendar for when natural events occur in the state.