Originating in the Middle Ages, bestiaries were illustrated volumes that described various animals - some real, some mystical. The natural history and illustration of each beast was usually accompanied by a moral lesson. In this beautifully illustrated book, renowned painter Darren Waterston and distinguished poet Mark Doty come together to breathe new life into the medieval genre. Waterston's precise and haunting silhouettes depict species from insect to bird to mammal, captured in motion as they hunt their prey, build their nests, or protect their young. Accompanying these illustrations are Doty's poetic observations on the wonders of the animal world - its panoply of sounds and shapes, its dignity and its cruelty. Lovers of art, animals, and poetry will delight in this elegant volume that captures nature's exquisite and terrible beauty.