Book
reviews A to D
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"This reasonably priced guide to agates deserves to be popular with amateur and professional mineralogists and collectors everywhere."
Mineralogical Magazine, June 2006
"The formation of agates is probably the clearest explanation that I have ever seen…beautifully illustrated with excellent full page colour pictures. Good value."
Down to Earth, June 2006
"A sparkling tribute to agates"
Earth Heritage, July 2006
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"...full
of lavish photographs and illustrated throughout. It takes
us into the world of amber, starting with what amber actually
is and describing the trees from which it comes, being
followed up by the physical, chemical, and visual characteristics...
...this
is an enjoyable book and can be read by both older children
and adults. It is an excellent reference book and will
have uses in universities, school libraries, and museums...this
is not one of those books you read then put on a shelf.
With the many keys to identification, it can be used as
a tool for years to come."
Reviewed by Stephen Caine for
Palaeontologia Electronica, 15 April 2000
"In
a sense, this is not so much a review..., no, rather this
is a gut response to an elegant presentation. This book
positively glows with the lustrous, resinous qualities
of amber...
As
it is, just as it has been for Agates, Gemstones
and Crystals, all companion books to Amber
coming from the Museum, they have invested in the technical
skills and the production means needed to make these treatments
both 'coffee table' and mini-monographs at one and the
same time...Getting just the right glow into amber here
must qualify for Premier League status...
It
can be a tall order to ask of a small booklet that it
both pleases the eye and instructs. I don't think there
can be any question but that Amber does meet all
tests. At £7.95 it is a price which most of us would
pay without second thought."
Reviewed
by Eric Robinson for Geology Today
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"It
is some 20 years since I obtained a copy of the English
translation of Lehman's book on Ammonoids. Since
then there has been a massive amount of research on these
popular fossils, and the authors are to be congratulated
on drawing this material together in a relatively inexpensive
and interesting format.
I
am sure its handy size, well reproduced figures and clear
photographs, including 21 colour plates, will be well
received by anyone interested in life in the past. It
is not intended merely for aspiring academics, but should
be of far greater appeal, being a very approachable natural
history, albeit of an extinct creature.
One
should never judge a book by its cover but in this case
one can safely ignore that maxim. If the rest of the Living
Past series is as good, those interested in life
in the past will be well served."
Reviewed by Tony Cross for Geoscientist,
December 2002
"Based
on the study of their fossil remains and aided by a comparison
with their living cephalopod relatives, this book reconstructs
their way of life, environment and physical characteristics."
Reviewed for Mining Magazine,
December 2002
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"Bats
are amazing mammals. Not only are they the only flying
mammals, but a staggering one in five mammal species are
bats. Phil Richardson has managed to distil an enormous
amount of information on the huge diversity of bat species
in Bats, which is richly illustrated with stunning
colour photographs. Excellent colour graphics help illustrate
often complex subject areas such as echolocation, but
also the more mundane like the wide range of bat roosting
boxes...
As
an introduction to the Chiroptera, I think Bats
is the best on the market; it's comprehensive, easy to
read and good to look at."
Reviewed by Dr Andrew Kitchener for Mammal News,
No 131, Autumn 2002
"...Bats
is a wonderful book, well written and with stunning photography
amply illustrating the diversity and wonder of bat noses.
Although at first glance some species may look like prime
candidates for rhinoplasty, bat noses have evolved for
pollen detections and echolocation. Richardson romps through
the myriad species of bats, explaining where they live,
what they eat and how they are adapted to their environmental
niches. He peppers his text with memorable bat facts:
Did you know that the world's biggest bat has a wingspan
of nearly 2 metres across?...
Richardson's
book is a must for any biology teacher with an imminent
field trip, and also provides valuable substance for classroom-based
projects...Richardson's enthusiasm is infectious. Never
really having noticed a bat before, I confess that I'm
hooked and I'm now off to build a bat cave - or hibernaculum
(as I now know it's called) - of my very own."
Journal of Biological Education (2002)
36 (4)
"This
beautifully illustrated softback looks at bats worldwide...It
reveals a complex lifestyle and social life and senses
that are practically impossible for us to imagine. It
is full of facts (did you know the world's largest gathering
of any mammal was in the caves of Mexico, where 50 million
bats roosted in the 1960s?) and practical advice."
Birds, The magazine of the RSPB, Autumn
2002
"This
colourful, informative book contains everything that you
would ever want to know about bats and their habits. It
covers a wide range of different species of bat and contains
detailed and clear pictures, offering an insight into
a world that is generally hidden from us."
Natural World, Summer 2002
"...Author Phil Richardson offers a great insight into the
bizarre and amazing world of bats, and dispels the many
myths that have been associated with these creatures for
centuries.
Bats provides a well-documented overview of the 980
known species...sheds light on their behaviour and complex
social lives, makes sense of their peculiar anatomy, and
explains their sonar detection system. A comprehensive account,
lightened by Richardson's enthusiasm and humour, it is complemented
by fascinating close-up photography. By the time you get
to the end of the book you'll be inspired to follow Richardson's
simple suggestions on what you can do to help protect these
unique and sophisticated creatures, feared and ignored for
so long."
Reviewed by Winnie Liesenfeld for Geographical,
August 2002
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"…
Jonathan Elphick's meticulously researched and sumptuously
illustrated book - there are over 200 colour plates -
narrates how bird art has evolved … In a book that
covers huge amounts of territory, Elphick also features
the lesser known or neglected artists such as William
Macgillivray and the Dutch painter John Keulemans. He
also manages to blend analysis of their technique and
style with tales from their often eventful lives…The
benefit of Elphick's rounded approach is a work of scholarship
that is also a pleasure to read. If you have space in
your library for just one book on bird art, then I would
heartily recommend this superb volume".
Mark Cocker, BBC Wildlife, March 2005
"…for
a truly special gift, I would recommend Jonathan Elphick's
Birds: The Art of Ornithology…In this beautifully
produced and sumptuously illustrated work, Elphick tells
the story of how bird art developed from the earliest
images scratched on the walls of prehistoric caves to
the present day, with the main focus on that golden age
of avian illustration and portraiture, the 19th century.
If no one takes the hint, then you can always buy it for
yourself".
Stephen Moss, Guardian, 6 Dec 2004
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"Knowing
little or nothing about butterflies, I have been given
a wonderful insight into these beautiful creatures through
this book. It contains easily understood text and wonderful
photographs..."
Sherkin Comment, Issue 35, 2003
"...this
is not another field guide, but an overview of the biology
of butterflies, taking in anatomy ecology and evolutionary
biology, which is aimed at anyone interested in natural
history. It is an ambitious objective, but one that is
well-served by this attractive and informative book...
...Dick
Vane-Wright is well-qualified to explain details of taxonomy
and classification, but overwhelmingly it is his passion
for the insects and for trying to understand their remarkable
lives that comes through in this very readable account.
He writes clearly and intelligently, combining scientific
names and technical terms with vivid descriptions to create
an accessible and stimulating book...
Superb
colour photographs illustrate almost every page, depicting
aspects of behaviour or colour patterns that bring the
text to life and flicking through the book to sample a
few pictures is sure to draw the reader in to find out
more....the author is to be congratulated for managing
to write a brief, popular introduction to the subject
that will educate both newcomers and experts...
...an
enthralling introduction to the lives of butterflies...That
the book often leaves you wanting to know more is indicative
of how readable and interesting it is...It may not quite
be everything you ever wanted to know about butterflies,
but it's a fascinating place to start."
Reviewed by Dan Hoare for Atropos, 22
"This
is an excellent information and reference book...It is
written mainly for top primary and early secondary pupils,
but could very well be used for a quick source book by
many adults...
...with
superb colour illustrations to accompany the fully-detailed
text, and its fascinating facts on myriad butterflies.
For example, did you know that some butterflies can change
colour according to their environment, or that they can
taste through their feet? Read the book to find out more!"
Reviewed by Ann Trevenen Jenkin for The School
Librarian, Journal of the School Library Association,
2004
"...For
those who wish to delve deeper into the origins, life-cycles
and general natural history of these beautiful insects,
these two books offer a suitable opportunity. In addition
to revealing a wealth of information about their subjects,
both books are a delight to handle with a superb selection
of first-rate photographs, including familiar British
species as well as many exotics...
All
in all both books represent great value for money, retailing
at less than a tenner, and offer a superbly illustrated
insight into the worlds of these two very different but
increasingly popular groups of insects."
Reviewed by Neil Anderson for The London Naturalist,
No 82, 2003 (reviewing Dragonflies and Butterflies,
in the Life Series)
"SEX.
It's something that butterflies are rather good at, which
explains why the Lepidoptera are one of the most successful
orders of insects, with some 20,000 species worldwide.
Most butterflies adopt a conventional courtship, with
the female leading her suitor on a merry dance to test
his flying ability and suitability, but some members of
the tropical genus Heliconius have given up this
expensive nonsense. The males simply locate female pupae
on the point of hatching. As the pupa splits, the male
copulates with his child bride.
Stories like that make this colourful book a fascinating
introduction to the complex world of the butterfly. It
reveals, for instance, that the chastity belt is not a
human invention.
But there's much more than sex and scandal in this highly
readable book. If you want to learn about false eyes or
false heads, mimicry and mockers, adaption and evolution,
it's all here. Once you've read this book, even the cabbage
white will never look the same again."
Reviewed by David Tomlinson (joint author of Britain's
Butterflies) for New Scientist, 30 August
2003
"The
titles in the Natural History Museum's Life series are
not the usual id guides, covering a limited group of species
with detailed but rather repetitive text. Instead, they
go behind the individual species or geographical region
to present the bigger picture of the world's fauna in
all its glorious multitude. They do this not by bland
generalisation, but by introducing key scientific work
(both modern and historic) on the insects' behaviour,
life history and physiology, in a very pleasing style.
There
are probably more books on butterflies than on any other
group of insects - though those on dragonflies are fast
catching up. Is there room for more of them on the crowded
bookshelves? Here are two new volumes certainly worth
trying to cram into the bookcase."
Reviewed by Richard Jones for BBC
Wildlife, July 2003
(reviewing Dragonflies and Butterflies,
in the Life Series)
"...one
of the most clear and concise introductions to the biology
of these colourful and ever popular insects that I have
yet seen...In clear and concise language the reader is
introduced to the whole life cycle...The author has avoided
overuse of biological terms, which might confuse the general
reader, and throughout the book his enthusiasm for butterflies
is evident on every page.
The
book is well illustrated with excellent colour photographs,
each one illustrating a particular point or opinion made
in the text. Whilst many photographs are of live insects
form around the world I liked the use of set specimens
to illustrate the subtle difference in seasonal or geographical
variation, and mimicry. It is good to know that in these
days of political correctness, and the digital camera,
set specimens still have a role to play! There are some
interesting photographs of butterflies in flight, a subject
which is not always covered in detail in other publications...
The
book is published on good quality paper with clear type
and good photographic reproduction, and represents excellent
val[u]e at the modest price charged. Anybody with an interest
in butterflies will find much of interest in it."
Reviewed by D A Young for the British Entomological
& Natural History Society, 2003
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"Lavishly illustrated in colour and aimed
mainly at capturing the eye of visitors to the Natural
History Museum....contains many stunning examples from
the world of insects. Every entomologist should have the
opportunity of using a scanning electron microscope at
some stage during heir lifetimes as it allow you to see
whole insects at high magnification in perfect focus.
You can see how the aphid's stylets or the mosquito's
mouthparts are arranged for probing and equally how hairy
and waxy some plant surfaces are that larvae have to hold
onto or eat. You really do enter the insect world."
Reviewed by John S Badmin for British Journal
of Entomology and Natural History, 17, 2004
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"Coral
Fish is a fascinating study of the myriad of fish
inhabiting the coral reefs, as well as an insight to their
interactions. Illustrated with award-winning photography
from the author's own collection, the book provides a
thorough yet concise depiction of the habitat and principal
characteristics of the major coral-fish families."
Geographical, May 2001
"Linda
Pitkin is an award-winning underwater photographer, but
she's also a biologist with a real interest in marine
life. Her latest book takes a comprehensive look at the
varied lifestyles of the huge and colourful diversity
of fish that inhabit coral reefs, and their complex interactions
with one another.
...Illustrated
by more than 100 of Linda Pitkin's own colour photographs
of great beauty, Coral Fish represents real value
for money."
Diver, August 2001
"... Coral Fish provides an accessible, comprehensive
and explorative look at the fascinating and varied lifestyle
of the fish inhabiting the coral reef, how they find food
and shelter and their complex interactions...
Written
by a passionate marine photographer, the text is brought
to life with over 100 of Linda Pitkin's dramatic colour
photographs, depicting an amazing diversity of fish. Pitkin's
underwater photographs have won many national and international
awards and have featured in a wide range of publications
including her two previous books, exhibitions and an IMAX
multi-screen presentation.
...Coral
Fish is aimed at the enquiring adult but is also accessible
to younger enthusiasts due to its open and colourfully
illustrated format...a fast-moving and thorough text everyone
will find stimulating and thought provoking."
Tropical
Fish, April 2001
"...
eminent biologist and award-winning underwater photographer
Linda Pitkin, who specialises in entomology at the Natural
History Museum, provides an accessible, comprehensive
and informative insight into the fascinating and varied
lifestyles of the fish that inhabit the coral reef, how
they find food and shelter, and their complex interactions.
The
informative text is brought to life with more than 100
of Linda's photographs, and discusses the importance and
complexity of the coral reef as an environment and resource,
as well as offering current causes for the depletion of
corals, highlighting the mortality of such a valuable
resource, the implications of its loss, and its immeasurable
worth.
An
informative book for all underwater enthusiasts."
Sport Diver Book Club
"Here's
an interesting book for coral aficionados who think they
know everything about tropical reefs...Pitkin shows there
is even more to these kaleidoscopic environments than
meets the eye...an accurate and engaging introduction
to the types of fish we encounter on the reef. Lavishly
illustrated by the author's own photographs, the book
treats us to a gaudy procession of grazers, puffers, triggers,
crushers, crunchers and mimics...
Although
it's aimed at a broad audience, Pitkin cannot help but
speak directly to the diver. This is the sort of book
that students should be made to read before being let
loose on a coral reef. And at less than a tenner, it's
a bargain."
Dive, August 2001
"Striking images are the order of the day
in this vivid collection of tropical marine fish...Taking
images of fish is not easy at the best of times, but Coral
Fish manages to do full justice to what are without
doubt some of the most colourful inhabitants on Earth...the
book is very informative and as would be expected of someone
with a biological leaning, Coral Fish serves to educate
the audience on the complexities of marine fish, whilst
at the same time serving as a perfect ambassador to the
sport of underwater photography."
Scuba World, July 2001
"... For
a book of 112 pages and over 100 photographs this is great
value, and makes the book accessible to a far wider audience.
Fair play to The Natural History Museum!
Coral
Fish covers an enormous range of marine life, from
enormous manta rays soaring in the blue to the tiny shortstripe
goby on a vivid pink coral. I was particularly impressed
with the 'fish in disguise' that could so easily be overlooked
by a more casual diver. Examples are the harlequin ghost
pipefish that merges seamlessly into the weed, and the
stunning silver razorfish that hang in the water like
fronds of a plant.
Linda
specialises in research on moths, but it is unlikely that
the moths will have a chance to get anywhere near this
publication - it's likely to be picked up, carried about
and borrowed on a regular basis."
Dive Girl, Issue 7, 2001
"...Not
only does this book have stunning photographs of a wide
range of different fishes, and from a variety of coral reef
communities, but, more importantly, it has well-researched
descriptions of fish physiology and behaviour. The language
used is very approachable, while not stinting on scientific
details or Latin names.
This
is a book for the general naturalist and enthusiast; it
would make an excellent birthday or Christmas present
for children of school age and above. If any book could
persuade you to grab your snorkel or learn to dive, this
is it!"
Reviewed by James Crabbe for Biologist, 48(6),
2001
" ...a testimony to Linda's hard work and dedication over
the two years of painstaking research at the NHM's 'excellent
library'. The 23,000 words and 100 + images were not intended
as 'a specie identification guide', Linda explained. 'I
wanted to illustrate the points being made in the text.'
And she has. The book is packed with vibrant, punchy images
with equally illustrative script from all over the world,
describing the environment, food and shelter issues and
specie interaction...
It's
an eye-catching book, the cover designed by the NHM graphics
team, offers a colourful sample of the vividness within.
'It was a lot of work,' Linda confessed. 'So much writing',
but I'm happy with the layout..., a rewarding end product!'
'...accessible,
authoritative and explorative...,' the catalogue series
submitted. 'Visually delightful', is all I would add!"
In Focus, magazine of the British Society
of Underwater Photographers, August 2001
"...With
over 100 of her own stunning colour photographs, the author
explores the varied lifestyles of coral fish, their adaptations
to the reef environment and their interaction with other
species in this densely populated living space. This is
an informative and accessible introduction to the importance
of coral reefs in our lives. Throughout the book the author's
enthusiasm shines through, as does her fascination with
the exquisite beauty for which some of these fish are
renowned.
Highly
recommended for the school or college library."
School Science Review , no. 302, September 2001
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"This
is a really wonderful little book. It brilliantly conveys
the excitement and mystery of the deep ocean and its often
weird inhabitants. The range and quality of its colour
pictures are as appealing as the text is accessible and
authoritative...
The
whole book, part of the Natural History Museum's Life
Series, is clearly well planned; indeed it is hard to
see how the end result could have been improved. The richly
illustrated text is essentially linear, but with a sprinkling
of apt, well-placed boxes.
Who
will fail to be captivated by, for example, the luminescent
blue-spotted squid Watsenia scintillans, the grotesquely
ugly rat-trap fish, or the simply bizarre tripod fish?
Even the sea-cucumbers enthrall. Buy this book; you won't
be disappointed."
Reviewed
by Peter Sheldon for Ocean Challenge,
2001
"With
this erudite little volume, author Tony Rice pulls together
a wealth of material to paint a vivid picture of life
in the ocean basins...
...
Rice has done a superb job in condensing what amounts
to several centuries of research and discovery into so
few pages. The issues that govern life in the deep ocean
are many and complex, but all of those who take the trouble
to read Deep Ocean will benefit by understanding
our planet that little bit more fully."
Dive magazine,
December 2000
"...the
issuing of Deep Ocean in the Natural History Museum's
Life Series coincides with the screening of the BBC TV's
highly successful marine wildlife spectacular 'The Blue
Planet'...one could be excused for believing this book
provided the blueprint for the film's fabulous and revealing
deep sea episode.
The
author, Dr Tony Rice is a respected authority in the world
of oceanography...Certainly Dr Rice's fascinating and
beautifully illustrated book forms an excellent companion
volume to the BBC's film and would form an ideal gift
for any aspiring oceanographer or marine biologist."
The Naturalist , 126, 2001
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"Dino-Birds
is a short pocket book, produced to accompany the 2002-03
exhibition of the same name at the Natural History Museum,
London. The pages are lavishly illustrated, and contain
some surprisingly well-reproduced photos of the fossils.
The text is pitched at the interested layperson and isn't
overly dumbed-down."
Reviewed by GKT for British Ornithologists'
Union, Ibis, 2003
"As
a non-palaeontologist, I found this charming little book
fascinating. It collates the current evidence based on
the palaeontological finds from Liaoning Province...The
finds first became known in 1996. Since then, fossils
from this area have continued to excite and thrill, not
only palaeontologist, but the whole scientific world.
...The
superb illustrations of the fossils finds from this area
are supplemented by excellent line drawings...
...This
little book does not set out to provide all the answers,
rather a snapshot in time, of a range of feathered dinosaurs
and birds living together in a lakeside community close
to erupting volcanoes that periodically covered the area
in layers of fine ash, which gave rise to the exceptional
state of preservation of these amazing creatures...
...I
can recommend this delightful book to any one interested
in fossil finds, dinosaurs or simply for a fascinating
read of part of our geological history."
Susan
Brown, GA Magazine of the Geologists' Association,
vol 2, no 1, March 2003
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"Hectic with energetic watercolours and exactly the sort of facts that keep young children wanting more."
The Independent, July 2006
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"...For
the beginner these books are a wonderful introduction
to these species. Highly recommended for young and old."
Sherkin
Comment, Issue 35, 2003
"Steve
Brooks will be known to many odonatists as the author
of the Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies
of Great Britain and Ireland. Steve, who is based
at the Natural History Museum, has produced another excellent
book entitled simply Dragonflies. It is a well
balanced, easy to read book, which is very informative
and interesting, yet not too scientific or "stuffy". It
is beautifully illustrated with many superb colour photographs...This
is a book for anyone with an interest in wildlife, and
especially the amateur odonatist, who wishes to know more
about dragonflies; a book that should encourage further
study into the fascinating world of Odonates. This latest
addition to the Life Series books published by the Natural
History Museum will be a useful addition to your collection
and I highly recommend it."
Reviewed by John Brook for the British Journal
of Entomology and Natural History, 16:4:2003
"This
new book is a marvellous companion to the excellent Field-Guide
to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain
(2000). Packed with facts on the biology and ecology of
dragonflies, it still manages to be very concise and easy
to read, with some stunning photography...Overall, for
anyone wanting to know more about dragonflies, this is
a very good book and superb value for money."
Reviewed by Dean Heward for WWT (Wildfowl and
Wetlands magazine), Winter 2003
"This
is one of the Life Series: beautifully illustrated paperbacks
that treat their subject seriously but make them accessible.
It is a tricky line to follow with subjects such as dragonflies,
which require a bit of specialist vocabulary, but they
remain clear and a good read and 'dumbing down' is not
their style..."
Birds (magazine of the RSPB), Winter
2003
"...For
those who wish to delve deeper into the origins, life-cycles
and general natural history of these beautiful insects,
these two books offer a suitable opportunity. In addition
to revealing a wealth of information about their subjects,
both books are a delight to handle with a superb selection
of first-rate photographs, including familiar British
species as well as many exotics...
All
in all both books represent great value for money, retailing
at less than a tenner, and offer a superbly illustrated
insight into the worlds of these two very different but
increasingly popular groups of insects."
Reviewed by Neil Anderson for The London Naturalist,
No 82, 2003 (reviewing Dragonflies and Butterflies,
in the Life Series)
"...highlight
of the book is the extensive colour illustrations...The
photos are never less than excellent...This is a book
that I would strongly recommend, particularly to anyone
with a recent or developing interest in dragonflies, though
there is also a great deal for the more experienced reader.
It represent excellent value for money, as well as being
a very readable, comprehensive and stunningly illustrated
introduction to the group. It should do much to further
their growing popularity."
Reviewed by Adrian Parr for Atropos, Summer/Autumn
2003
"...With groups of species such as these,
texts are either produced for the real expert or consist
of fluff, delving into the topic only superficially in a
weak attempt to satisfy the large market of casually interested
individuals. Dragonflies by Steve Brooks breaks
the mould.
It
was so easy to read, very attractive, containing as it
does masses of beautiful colour photographs, but stuffed
with interesting information on the Odonata...Steve has
synthesized a considerable amount of material on pretty
well every aspect of their ecology, life history, behaviour
and diversity.
It
really is an excellent piece of work which, I am sure,
will increase the attention that this attractive group
of insects receives and may also set a number of individuals
on the path towards becoming Odonata authorities. At just
£9.95, Dragonflies is well worth purchasing
for anybody with an interest in natural history."
Reviewed by Dr Graham J Holloway for
Antenna, the Bulletin of the Royal Entomological
Society, July 2003
"The
titles in the Natural History Museum's Life series are
not the usual id guides, covering a limited group of species
with detailed but rather repetitive text. Instead, they
go behind the individual species or geographical region
to present the bigger picture of the world's fauna in
all its glorious multitude. They do this not by bland
generalisation, but by introducing key scientific work
(both modern and historic) on the insects' behaviour,
life history and physiology, in a very pleasing style.
There
are probably more books on butterflies than on any other
group of insects - though those on dragonflies are fast
catching up. Is there room for more of them on the crowded
bookshelves? Here are two new volumes certainly worth
trying to cram into the bookcase."
Reviewed by Richard Jones for BBC
Wildlife, July 2003
(reviewing Dragonflies and Butterflies, in the Life Series)
"...In
non-technical, simple language, with colour illustrations
throughout, this book takes you through the fascinating
life of the dragonfly...Brooks reveals the many interesting
aspects of their history and life cycle - from the ferocious
larval stages to their transformation into breathtaking
adults.
This
book provides the reader with the perfect introduction
to dragonflies - their origins and behaviour, folklore
and importance. For anyone with a spark of interest who
would like to understand the workings of these agile beauties
before heading out this summer, you won't get a more concise
or enticing account than this!"
Reviewed by Cepa Giblin for Wild Ireland, Summer
2003
"This
book represents a significant and praiseworthy addition
to the literature on Odonata. For the first time the biology
and systematics of the order have been reviewed, comprehensively
and accurately, in a readable form. I know of no other
book that present this information in so attractive and
readable a form for the non-specialist. Many aspiring
odonatologists will be in Steve Brooks' debt for having
achieved this task with such distinction. They will be
in the publisher's debt for having made the book available
at so low a price."
Reviewed by Philip Corbet for Agrion, May
2003
"Dragonflies
and damselflies are extraordinarily complex creatures
but, in the first section of his book, Steve Brooks gives
us the basics of what we need to know about them, in such
a manner as to enable the reader to understand what odonatists
are talking about...
Only
those whose knowledge of their subject is deep and extensive
can pass on that knowledge in words that are simple and
easily understood. Throughout his book, Steve shows not
only evidence of his long years of study and research
into odonates but also his appreciation of their beauty
and uniqueness."
Reviewed by Jill Silsby for Agrion, April 2003
"...compiles
the essentials of current knowledge in odonatology on
96 pages.
All
information is organised in brief chapters. This also
helps the advanced odonatologist to update his knowledge,
and it is done in a language easy to read. The book is
furnished with brilliant photographs. If one wants to
motivate people's interest in dragonflies, one should
buy Steve Brooks' book. It is a really excellent book,
and moderate in price. And, of course, it should not be
missing from your own odonatological library."
Reviewed by M Schorr for Odonat. Abstr. Service
12, July 2003
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"...succeeds
in filling a gap in the literature: useful to the expert;
accessible and stimulating to the layman...
The
text is readable and authoritative with good reference
to appropriate illustrations...a comprehensive review,
in taxonomic layout down to subfamily, of all the world's
dragonflies...
...
over three hundred photographs of the highest quality,
not large but beautifully reproduced and not a fuzzy one
among them. For these alone Dragonflies of the World
is worth buying. If only it could have more images of
dragonflies in flight (there is only one in the entire
book) it might be an even better inspirational ambassador
for the dragonfly cause. Now there's a challenge, but
don't wait; buy it."
British
Dragonfly Society Newsletter, Spring 2002
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