Taxonomic writings made up only a part of C.S. Rafinesques (1783-1840) oeuvre. His published writings in other fields have never been collected. The recovery and reprinting of these 12 contributions help to broaden understanding of his achievements.

Arranged in nine sections, 25 topics are offered here (several of which are explored in more than one essay), "including the Origin of Native Americans," "Hebrew Studies," "Utopian Society," "Lightning," "the Milky Way," "Sea Serpents" and "Evolution." Editorial introductions are provided for each topic, and period illustrations - some included in the original Rafinesque publications - enhance the text.