American wildlife artist Charles R. Knight (1874–1953) spent a lifetime creating some of the first paintings and sculptures of dinosaurs, mammoths, and cavemen that were both spectacularly beautiful and scientifically accurate. For generations, his work has inspired scientists, artists, and filmmakers all over the world. This richly illustrated celebration of Knight’s artwork gathers together famous and never-before-seen paintings, sculptures, sketches, and murals. In addition to a new biographical essay, it also features excerpts from Knight’s extensive writings about extinct and modern animals. Above all, it provides a refreshing new look at Knight’s lifelong quest to depict the range of animal species, his struggles with failing eyesight, his desire for artistic independence, and his deep sense of kinship with Ice Age cave artists.

Richard Milner’s award-winning books include The Encyclopedia of Evolution (1990), Darwin’s Universe: Evolution from A to Z (2009), and The Last Human (2007). A longtime editor of Natural History magazine, he is a frequent contributor to top science journals, and has appeared on the History Channel, Animal Planet, Nova, BBC Two, and the Discovery Channel. Rhoda Knight Kalt contributes a warm introduction about her beloved grandfather.