'This is a richly informative book that draws on Derry's academic training and long experience as practical breeder.' --Ann Norton Greene, Agricultural History vol 90:01:2016 'This is a historian with deep and personal fascination for the world of animal breeding. There is much information in this book. It can be used as a reference for the key movements, ideas and people in the history of animal breeding.' --Jennifer Adlem, The British Journal for the History of Science vol 49:01:2016 'Masterminding Nature is an informative account of the various innovations that have marked the livestock industry.' --Anna Thompson Hajdik, Business History Review vol 90:01:2016 'Masterminding Nature is an ambitious and a valuable contribution to the literature.' --Rebecca J.H.

Woods, Endeavour vol 30:10:2016 'The book offers a gold mine of information for historians of breeding and of the agricultural sciences more generally, and several of its overreaching themes are potentially of interest to a wider range of historians.' --Jonathan Harwood, Isis Journal September 2016 "Masterminding Natureis an impressive, detailed, and thorough book by an expert who has both academic and hands-on experience in the realm of domesticated animal breeding. It is crisp, clear, and meticulous."--Sandra Swart, Department of History, University of Stellenbosch "Margaret E. Derry's book provides an overview that will serve as a starting and reference point for animal breeding studies for years to come. A pleasure to read, the book presents the subject matter in an accessible way: no specialist knowledge is required to understand her narrative." --Bert Theunissen, Director, Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities, Utrecht University.