Andrews Roy Ch. Natural History of Central Asia. Volume I. The New Conquest of Central Asia. A Narrative of the Explorations of the Central Asiatic Expeditions in Mongolia and China, 1921-1930

New York: The American Museum of Natural History, 1932. — 888 p.This book is an introduction to the scientific publications on the explorations of the Central Asiatic Expeditions in Mongolia and China, from 1921 to 1930. It tells how the work was done and attempts to give a picture of the country itself, of the Expeditions' daily life in camp and on the trail, of the transport by camels and motor cars, and of the principal discoveries in the various branches of science represented. It has been written to give the layman a comprehensive view of the Expeditions and makes no attempt to discuss the discoveries in detail, inasmuch as that is done in the series of scientific volumes which follow.
For much technical information I have drawn freely upon the Preliminary Reports of the Expeditions' work, published in the American Museum Novitates; also upon Volume II, "Geology of Mongolia," by Professors Berkey and Morris, and upon Volume IV, "The Permian of Mongolia", by Professor Grabau, in this series. To the authors of all these publications I owe my best thanks.
The permanency and value of any exploration lie in its published reports. Long after the field work has been forgotten, these volimies will remain as a record of accomplishment.
The success of the work was due to no one man. The Expedition of each of the various years was a well-balanced machine in which every member was a vital part. Had any individixal failed in his allotted task, the efficiency of the machine would have been impaired, if not fatally crippled. The services of brilliant scientists having been obtained, the way in which they cooperated as a imit and worked for one ideal without friction insured success. During all the years we were in the field we lived as a happy family without a single quarrel. This is an almost unique record and one of which we are justly proud. No finer, more loyal or more devoted group of men could ever be brought together. The privilege that I had of organizing the Expeditions and leading them in the field and the personal loyalty of the men to me will ever remain as my most treasured memories.