Shortlisted for the Richard Jefferies Award for Nature Writing

In Lost Wonders, Tom Lathan shares ten powerful, deeply researched stories of species that have disappeared and been declared extinct in the twenty-first century, a moving tribute to the wildlife we have lost in our own lifetime.

"Timely, elegiac" – The Daily Mail

"Superb storytelling . . . an exhilarating and vital book" – Charles Foster, author of Cry of the Wild

Exploring everything from giant tortoises to snails no bigger than sesame seeds, from ocean-travelling trees to puppy-tailed fish, Lost Wonders offers a rare and compelling look at recently extinct species and the fragile ecosystems they once shaped. Lathan brings these vanished creatures vividly back to life, creating an intimate portrait of biodiversity loss and its impact on our natural world.

Drawing on first-hand recollections from researchers who knew these species best, including those who fought, and sometimes failed, to save them, this beautifully illustrated book is both a memorial and a call to action. Lost Wonders stands as a powerful reminder of what we risk losing next, an urgent warning to protect the species now slipping from our grasp.

Perfect for readers searching for thought-provoking nature writing, books about extinction, and wildlife conservation stories grounded in real science and human experience.