Editorial Review

The Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals combines 600 vivid full--color photos with descriptions of more than 500 specimens. This authoritative and systematic photographic approach, with words never separated from pictures, marks a new generation of identification guides.Each entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight the chief characteristics of the rock or mineral and distinguishing features. Color--coded bands provide a clear, at--a--glance facts for quick reference. In addition, each mineral entry features an illustration showing the crystal system to which the mineral belongs. Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, the Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals explains what rocks or minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection. To help in the initial stages of rock identification, a clear visual key illustrates the differences between igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, then guides the reader to the correct rock entry. A concise glossary provides instant understanding of technical and scientific terms ... Read more

Reviews

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, February 18, 2001
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

a must have for any rockhound or gem and crystal lover, September 5, 2005
I am more of a gem and crystal lover myself, yet I am happy to own this book. Whenever I go thru it I have a real URGE to go out hunting! Very comprehensive, quite technical, classifies rocks and minerals according to chemical formula (sulphides, oxides, halides, carbonates etc) or type of formation (sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous), and then works thru ecah subgruop alphabetically. Detailed descriptions, chemistry, hardness, tests, BEAUTIFUL photos, detailed index and glossary. Only thing I am missing is WHERE ON EARTH am I most likely to find them (especially the ones I absolutely LOVE), so I can plan my next vacation :D

GeoNewbie, September 6, 2002
I am new to the study of geology and have found this book to be indispensable in identifying rocks and minerals in the field. It even has a few tips at the beginning about how to do tests, and each mineral suggests tests to further aid in identifying them. It has also been a great reference when reading texts about geology. I use it to look up the rocks and minerals mentioned there. Very helpful for later field study. The least I can say is: buy this book, it is EXCELLENT!!

I enthusiastically recommend it!, October 1, 1999
After wading through a half-dozen mineral guides i found this one to be a gem (pun intended). It has large labeled photographs to aid in identification and a very user friendly format. There is enough information here for the extremely curious and features enough to excite dormant curiosity. At the same time, the author's concise style and avoidance of excessive technical jargon make this book appealing even to the very young. I also appreciate his avoidance of pat answers where none have been conclusively found, as when he states that tektite "were once believed to be meteorites" but that "they may not in fact have an extra-terrestrial origin". In short, this is a great addition to any home library.

Great Picture Resource, March 8, 2007
I have been looking for a field guide for my 6-year-old son and could only find books for children that gave a general overview of rocks and minerals. This book is the one I have been looking for. I knew that DK would be the publisher to give me what I wanted. In DK fashion, the pages are easy to read without a lot of text clunking up the page. The rocks are organized in nice boxes with information laid out neatly and unobtrusively. Each page features two new rocks with a large full-color picture of each. This is now his favorite book. It has all of the information we have been looking for in a concise, easy-to-read format. Each profile gives the name and visual outline of crystal system; specific gravity; cleavage; fracture; chemical test to confirm identification; mineral-forming environment; main text describes mineral's identifying features; standard name of the mineral; chemical group to which the mineral belongs; chemical formula for the mineral; hardness according to the Mohs' scale; variations of the mineral shown in full-color when applicable; annotations identifying mineral's main identifying features. I LOVE this book. It is a great book for kids(who eat, sleep, and breathe rocks and minerals) and adults. I am thinking of getting another one just for me. I think this would also be an invaluable resource for classroom teachers. I will be teaching First Grade and will use this book to introduce scientific concepts.

Beautiful photography, October 6, 2000
Dorling Kindersley's Handbook of Rocks and Minerals is a more systematick approach to identification. Each entry has a sharp color photo, group name, composition, hardness, SG, cleavage, fracture, formation and tests for id. Thes is a nice basic reference book and a good size (8.5"x6") to tote along. A glossery defines technical terms, common in scientific descriptions.

Clear & Beautifully Presented, June 29, 2007
I bought this for my 7-yr. old daughter - budding rock hound and naturalist! Like other DK books, the photography is luscious and the layout is casual and very inviting - full of beautiful images.

It provides a great overview of rocks and minerals, including tools used to find them, the different characteristics and where specific types of rocks and minerals can be found. It also provides detailed "specifics" such as classification, occurence and cleavage - as appropriate.

This is a thoroughly engaging book for all ages and it is highly recommended.

Rocks and Minerals, March 30, 2006
This is the one book I was looking for, with good close-up pictures. Pictures that point out the small things on rocks or minerals you want to look for. It could be a small mass of fibers or small group of crystals. It sections off a mineral so you know what the different colors are. If you have any type of sight problems, this is more that helpful! I recommend this book for all beginners and anyone who just might be curious. It is well worth your money!

Great handbook!, January 28, 2000
I too am in Science Olympiad (div. B), and I found this to be one of the most reliable handbooks that I have used when participating in this event. Its sleek organization and excellent presentation of information make this the best choice among the myriad others that are available.

Rocks and Minerals, August 14, 2007
Great Book...full of useful information. The pictures really give you an indepth but brief description of the item discussed. This book is absolutely essential to the amature hobby collectors out there. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reminiscent in both spirit and design of the beloved Whole Earth Catalog, Country Wisdom & Know-How is an unprecedented collection of information on nearly 200 individual topics of country and self-sustained living. Compiled from the information in Storey Publishing's landmark series of "Country Wisdom Bulletins," this book is the most thorough and reliable volume of its kind. Organized by general topic including animals, cooking, crafts, gardening, health and well-being, and home, it is further broken down to cover dozens of specifics from "Building Chicken Coops" to "Making Cheese, Butter, and Yogurt" to "Improving Your Soil" to "Restoring Hardwood Floors." Nearly 1,000 black-and-white illustrations and photographs run throughout and fascinating projects and trusted advice crowd every page. ... Read more

Reviews

Very interesting, very thorough, great reference, April 30, 2005
If you could gather up the wisdom of the many generations of farmers, ranchers, outdoorsmen, homesteaders, and mountain-men and put it into a book you would end up with a book like this. While this is not as thorough as the multi-volume sets like the older Foxfire series, it is one of the most complete single-volume works available. The text is small in order to cram all the information into this oversized almost 500 page book but it is still readable and very interesting. The book is divided into the six major sections of animals, cooking, crafts, gardening, health and well-being, and home. Each of these major divisions is subdivided into multiple more detailed sections. For example, the animals section includes information on attracting desirable animals such as humming birds, building bird shelters, feeding birds while preventing squirrels from robbing the feeder, getting rid of problem animals, taking care of your pets, herbal treatments for dog problems, rabbit husbandry, horsemanship, raising chickens and ducks, beekeeping, and butchering. Each section is similarly detailed with the gardening section being particularly large. Country Wisdom and Know-How is an indispensable reference volume for anyone interested in country living and is highly recommended.

Full of Fascinating Information, April 14, 2006
This is an odd book for someone to buy that lives in a major metropolitan area. However, if you are interested in how things used to be done, and/or are looking for more control over the products that affect your family this is an interesting read.

PROS:
1. Nice collection of feline information. From building a cat tree, to giving your cat pills, and teaching your cat tricks.
2. Very detailed information on gardening.
3. How to make homemade candy including salt-water taffy. Who knew?
4. Significant section on Preserving, pickling, canning and distilling.
5. Natural Home Remedies for many common ailments.

CONS:
1. The print is very, very, very small. Expect to use reading glasses.
2. I would have preferred a hardback, but that wasn't an option.

Overall, a highly recommend for those that are lacking in how to do things that our parents and grandparents took for granted.

Great book - Text is sooo small, December 28, 2004
I got this for xmas 04. I have looked at a few subjects and the amount and depth of facts on so many subjects is very impressive. 500 pages and the book is huge. The font/type size is really small which adds to the size of the info but it is really kind of small to read. Its a good thing Im nearsighted..
I read about raising ducks. It was so much info - very interesting and complete.
Recently I bought Readers Digest Back To Basics at a library book sale. It is also really good although maybe not as in depth it is really good and the illustrations are better. I like both books.

Great Info but Greatly Disappointing Book, March 9, 2008
A huge compendium of information from animal husbandry to construction and crafts to gardening...even how to recipes. That's the good news. I have great admiration for Storey Books and own many of their products. This book, however, is not up to par with their other products.

The publishing (not by Storey itself) leaves much to be desired. I'm surprised Storey put their name to it. I'd have gladly paid triple the price for a better quality soft-cover or hard-cover books with good quality pages and larger print...even if in several volumes. In fact, that's exactly what Storey should do with this and the similar "Survival Wisdom" book. They would be great hits and huge sellers. So what if it's a collection all in one book. The brown paper cover and lighter-than-newsprint pages require extremely delicate handling, and the tiny print is almost painful to read.

Much, if not all, of this book's contents are from the Storey "Country Wisdom Bulletin" series. It would ceratinly cost more, but a set of the bulletins may be the better option.

Overall, I'm disappointed. Regardless how potentially useful the information in its pages, this book is not a prudent buy.

This book is responsible for me moving!, March 28, 2008
Our copy of Country Wisdom & Know-How is very worn and tattered but still remains the focal point of our coffee table.
I discovered this book at a Barnes & Noble while living in the city. Was attracted to it because of it's paper-bag-like cover. Even though I lived in the middle of a city, in an apartment, I bought it anyway. My wife and I became hooked! Fell in love with the idea of having a hobby farm because of this book and packed up and moved to the country.
Everything you could think of is stuffed into this book, from Beekeeping to butchering chickens to building a compost bin. The book it's self is huge, but the print is very small. The "organic" looking cover doesn't last long. But the material inside is awesome.
Since this book, my wife and I have started a small side business keeping honeybees and selling our honey at farmers markets. We also enjoy making pickles, canning, raising chickens, and watching our daughter grow up in a world much richer than what we had in the city.
Highly recommend this book for any city dweller interested in starting a life in the country. It's a reference you'll never live without!

Good Book, Small Print, September 11, 2007
I agree with a lot of the reviewers that the print is small. But this book is packed with tons of info about country living. After having lived in the city for years we now live in the country and have found a lot of helpful hints. It's divided quite well and particular topics are easy to locate.

A mixed bag, September 14, 2009
I originally intended to leave a scathing review, but held off until I was in a better mood. There is a lot of good information in this book - printed in tiny text on very large pages. This is not a problem for my 20/10 vision, but may be an issue for some. I really like the info about cheese and yogurt making. The gardening and animal sections are good solid starting points although leaning a little more towards conventional methods. There are lots of good recipes. (Perhaps a few too many.)

My problem is that in between the good information, there are a lot of perfectly useless topics such as training your cat, feeding birds, stenciling, busy-work crafts, etc. These are not awful subjects to read about, but this text devotes way too much time to such superfluous pursuits. Before you think I'm cold-hearted, consider the fact that there is 3 times as much material about feeding birds than there is on raising chickens. Then consider the title of the book and you tell me...

Great if you are looking for a overview of many subjects to get started with.

Great resource - very small print, March 12, 2007
This book is filled with a lot of information and I believe a great resource. It includes a great deal of details on all topics listed. This book was a present for my father who has retired and working to "live off the land". He was very impressed.
The only draw back is the small print -

Even my grandma was amazed, April 27, 2007
This book is filled from cover to cover with great information on how to do things yourself. I love learning about how to do things the old-fashioned way. With modern technology so easy to crash, I feel safer knowing that I can survive on my knowledge a little better after having this book. Some of the ideas my grandma could even remember doing with her grandma. There is something to say about the strength of time honored tradition.

Good Content, Bad Packaging, January 7, 2010
I am sure that the information in this book is excellent, as I have read other Storey guides before and found them very helpful. However, when the other reviewers comment on the size of the font and the quality of the paper, they have a very legitimate complaint. The font is miniscule, and the paper is thin and flimsy. Also, the large size of the book makes it difficult to pick up and flip through. As someone interested in the aesthetics of a book as well as the content, I would have to say this is a very poor design. I would rather pay more and get a book I could read more easily. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From spooker poles and Perrier bottles to water bombs and cayenne pepper, Bill Adler, Jr., has tried every conceivable method to rid his backyard of these fluffy gluttonous rodents. Revised and even craftier than the first edition, which sold over 100,000 copies, this new revision contains humorous advice on keeping squirrels out of the flowerbeds and bird feeders. ... Read more

Reviews

A definite stocking-stuffer for any birding friends, November 11, 2001
There are some books that you just HAVE to have - if only because the topic they're on is so funny. This is one of those! Not only that, but it actually is handy for birders, in a practical way.

Whether you like or don't like squirrels, you have to account for them when you're trying to feed birds. Otherwise your birds end up with no food and you have many fat squirrels running around. This book gives you ways to handle this situation whether you mind the squirrels, or just want them to be in their own area.

It rates various feeders, complete with photos, showing you the drawbacks and benefits of each one. It talks about different kids of food, and different ways you can work with them to make them bird-only. It gives you ways to distract the squirrels. And it's REALLY funny!

A must-buy for any birder on your present list, and tuck one into your own stocking, too.

Excellent. Solid, practical advice with humor and style., March 3, 1999
We all love those furry little creatures but there comes a time when you must say "enough." With wit and humor, Bill Adler offers practical advice on how to keep squirrels from ruining your fun, hurting your lawn and gardens and taking food from the bird feeder. It's a must for anyone who owns a home.

Funny and Informative, February 26, 1999
I love both birds and squirrels. I don't mind feeding the squirrels, I just don't want them destroying my bird feeders. With the help of this book I was able to set up a bird feeding station that was safe from squirrels but also had a ground feeder just for them. It's a great book.

Extremely funny but helpful with practical ideas and advice, April 24, 1999
As I was standing at my double patio doors with my nose pressed to the window watching the squirrels raiding my bird feeders, I became so agitated I abruptly jerked the door open to scare them off and banged myself in the mouth with my door. I decided at that moment to wage war. Although I haven't won yet, the book offers good advice on how I can get revenge without doing bodily injury to the little monsters.

Inadvertantly increased my appreciation for squirrels, November 27, 2001
I really enjoyed this extremely humorous book. After reading it, any failure on any birder's part to get rid of his sleek, well-fed squirrels is understandable. They're great athletes, motivated and social to boot.

It is great stocking stuffer for your squirrel-obsessed birder spouse or friends!

For Determined Bird Watchers, June 8, 2005
This book is a guide to keeping your bird feeder squirrel-free. Adler had a particularly pestiferous squirrel who found ways around every squirrel-barrier Adler could think of to protect his bird seed. The squirrel's notorious feats put Adler on the war-path. In writing this book, he is not only fighting that one squirrel, but all of squirrel-kind. If readers pull-off a successful squirrel battle because of ideas in this book, then Adler can declare victory.

Bird watchers, (or would-be bird watchers) are the intended audience for this book, so the book begins with some suggestions about how to attract birds, along with a list of suggested foods to offer and descriptive profiles of birds who commonly come to North American feeders. Adler then turns his attentions to squirrels and provides a supposedly thorough description of squirrels, their biology, and behavior. Next, he describes and compares common bird feeders according to how squirrel-proof they are. Following this are a list of anti-squirrel devices that can be added to a feeder, and a list of combative actions a bird-viewer can take to ward off squirrels. Adler concludes with "101 Cunning Stratagems" (an attempt at humor?), ideas for squirrel lovers, ideas for dealing with problem cats at feeders, and a list of resources for bird-watching and squirrel-fighting equipment.

It's hard to tell whether this book was intended to be humorous, or what. Certainly, the comparison of bird feeders is far too serious to be funny. (And unfortunately, the feeders are listed by brand-name, rather than by some grouping according to general type or shape.) Some of the "101 Cunning Stratagems" seem intended to be funny, but fall short of the goal. Overall, the entire book reads as if it could have been a decent magazine article, but Adler had to really work to come up with ideas enough to stretch his material to fill out an entire book. For instance, he fills out his list of 101 stratagems with a number of patent descriptions, which are neither funny nor descriptive enough to give you an idea how the devices being described actually work.

Even though he seemed desperate to add to his work count, Adler still left out some key information. Namely, he provides almost no information about different types of squirrels, and how their approaches to feeders differ. Adler lives in a city, where he apparently only sees gray squirrels, which is probably why he barely mentions any other types of squirrels. In our experience, red squirrels are much more aggressive and agile than the grays-with our large population of red hoodlums, grays wouldn't stand a chance in our neighborhood. We also see flying squirrels at our feeder, but they don't bother us since they only come out at night when the birds aren't in the feeder, and they don't seem to gobble as much seed as the reds. They sure can jump, though. Then there are the black squirrels, which are the big gorillas of the squirrel world. I've seen them in Toronto, and I've also heard they haunt Washington, D.C. after escaping from the National Zoo. Do they also make pests of themselves at feeders? Adler leaves us in the dark about these critters.

Adler interviews world-renowned squirrel expert Vaun Flyger in the chapter on squirrel biology, and Flyger assures him that the best way to outwit a squirrel is to treat them like chicken; i.e., use them in any recipe that calls for chicken. In other words, Flyger advocates the "final solution". Adler doesn't consider this approach seriously in this book (but speaking from experience, it works, and better than any squirrel bafflers. Once neighborhood squirrels get the idea you're out for blood, they quickly learn how not to eat from your feeder).

Funny, good, and wise... what more do you want?, November 23, 1998
Hey, I like and feed the little rodents myself, but they're party crashers in the bird world. Our feeder says very clearly: "Bird Station." Furry rats need not apply.

This is not merely a good read but a funny book. Mr. Adler has scored five stars from me, even before I read about Rosie O'Donnell's rave.

Good fun for birdlovers., July 21, 1998
I must admit that I'm a bit nutty over brids, and I don't much like the squirrels pilfering expensive seed. This book gave me some good advice for keeping the tree rodents away from the feeder. And it is funny too. Any birdlover will appreciate this.

Not Remotely Tremendous, January 10, 2006
I'll keep this review short and sweet, since the book isn't exactly the utmost in literary achievement ever produced. The book is decent, probably right on the 3 star mark given what it tries to do and what it does. The intention of the book is to, well, outwit squirrels - a silly notion given a day or 2 observing the little...um, natural friends. Wit isn't what makes the squirrel dangerous. It's the endless effort a squirrel will go through to get your food. The overall effort described here should probably be called, "Outenduring Squirrels," since that's what you will need to do.

Overall, the book is hit or miss with the advice it gives. Living in a neighborhood with approximately more squirrels than blades of grass, you tend to either pick up ways to stop them from getting to your feeders, or you stop feeding the birds. Or as some have done, you throw in the towel and get used to having your seed receptacles ravaged by these tree rats. The advice in this book is sometimes right, and sometimes off the mark. That opinion is based on copious amounts of personal experience.

I got this as a gag gift from my father-in-law, since he knows how much I hate these animals. It was entertaining enough, though at times his sense of humor wasn't exactly what I would call top notch. Other times it was downright irritating. So it goes. I don't think squirrel banter is going to be on prime time television any time soon. Until then, you'll have to make do with books like this, which are good enough but hardly knocking on the door of your local bookstore's best seller list.

Serious approaches, humorously written, March 4, 2001
I wish I had known about this book two years ago. Mr. Adler provides insight into the single-minded focus of these furry creatures and their expensive impact on attempts to fill the backyard with a variety of colorful birds. Be sure to read the section on Nixalite. If only Bill Adler could be convinced to write a book on squirrels and their egregious misappropriation of the attic. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Trees are vital without them we simply wouldn't be here. Not only essential, they have been an inspiration throughout our history. In breathtaking photographs and stories we are taken on a journey from the boreal forest at the edge of the Arctic to the rainforests girdling the planet; from ancient bristlecones to fresh-leaved seedlings; from the charming and familiar to the scary and rare. An elegantly written and highly accessible text is complemented by an extraordinary collection of images created by some of the world's leading nature photographers. ... Read more

Reviews

Gorgeous photo book, December 3, 2009
This book is a beautiful tribute to trees. I bought it primarily for the photographs, which are breathtaking, but I am enjoying the text as well. It is much more informative than I expected, and the photographs are as stunning as I had hoped.

The Life & Love of Trees, December 16, 2009
The photography is beautifully presented within design that does not distract from the the most important part of this book. Fabulous photography of trees.

STUNNING!, January 16, 2010
After reading a review of this book, I purchased it as a gift for my best friend who is an artist. I glanced through it before wrapping it to send to her, and almost kept it! I stared mesmerized at each page...the photos are simply stunning. I have never seen anything like this book before! My friend called me after receiving this stammering for words, and told me she had only made it to page 3 before calling me.
This book will now be what I give special people in my life as gifts!!

Amazingly beautiful, February 1, 2010
the pictures are so beautiful and the text is full of amazing and suprising information on trees and their importance to our daily lives. This is a large book and looks wonderful on a coffee table....guaranteed to generate conversation!

Beautiful photography and thoughtful writing, December 21, 2009
This is a truly lovely, enjoyable, and inspiring book. The photography is superb. The author compels you to action to take your own steps to combat global warming. You cannot read it and not act.

Blackwell needs an editor, December 27, 2009
Despite the truly stunning photography, the text in this book is so poorly constructed, it renders the work almost entirely unreadable. Run-on sentences, half-baked ponderings, and grammatical errors occupy every inch of the meandering discourse. This is by far the worst writing I have ever experienced in a major publication. I really wanted to like this book because the photography (which comprises most of the book) is spell-binding, but the coarseness of the writing is so distracting that it ruined the book for me. If you purchase this book, do yourself a favor, and don't read any of the words. You'll appreciate it much more.

how amazing this book is, January 30, 2010
After seeing this book recommended by Ellen DeGeneres, I decided to purchase it as I love trees. I have to say that this was a very good decision. I simply LOVE this book. The photos, the information and the beautiful quotes all add up to a wonderful book that you will keep picking up and reading. If you only buy this book for its awesome photos, then you certainly haven't wasted your money.

Loose Yourself in the Loveliness of Trees, February 5, 2010
The photographs in this book The Life & Love of Trees are spectacular beyond words. Lewis Blackwell's seemingly bigger than life photographs lure you into the very nature, the very presence of these living giants. Several times I have found myself happily lost meandering in and out of the colorful pages of this BIG impressive book of Trees.

To me the words in the book are only second in importance to the photographs. Like the trees that grow in nature they are not in any strick order or structure. They are free to grow in any pattern stunted or standing straight, short or tall, growing where ever and at any time they please reguardless of demands we as humans put upon them. That is the nature and beauty of trees, and in my opinion the beauty of this book.

Thank you Ellen for introducing us to Lewis Blackwell and his book; The Life and Love of Trees!
Mud Witch Boy of Ghost Canyon

Good, January 26, 2010
This book was a lot of information, not necessarily in any reference to specific pictures. While some of the pictures were very nice it seemed a bit run of the mill to me. I am a tree lover and have spent many years studying trees and their environments, I am not sure what I was expecting but I just wasn't wowed. Still a cool coffee table book however and thanks to anyone who spends the time on tree's.

Beautiful book!, February 14, 2010
I heard about this book from the Ellen show. I was not disappointed. My husband loves trees and this book delivers! The photographs are breathtaking! ... Read more

Editorial Review

More than 370 edible wild plants, plus 37 poisonous look-alikes, are described here, with 400 drawings and 78 color photographs showing precisely how to recognize each species. Also included are habitat descriptions, lists of plants by season, and preparation instructions for 22 different food uses. ... Read more

Editorial Review

$14.95 gatefold paper * 1-58685-234-5 * May

6 x 9 in, 192 pp, 70 Line Drawings, 16 Color Photo Pages

Rights: W, Survival/Nature

"If you breathe and have a pulse, you NEED this book."

-Cody Lundin

Cody Lundin, director of the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Prescott, Arizona, shares his own brand of wilderness wisdom in this highly anticipated new book on commonsense, modern survival skills for the backcountry, the backyard, or the highway. It is the ultimate book on how to stay alive-based on the principal of keeping the body's core temperature at a lively 98.6 degrees. In his entertaining and informative style, Cody stresses that a human can live without food for weeks, and without water for about three days or so. But if the body's core temperature dips much below or above the 98.6 degree mark, a person can literally die within hours. It is a concept that many don't take seriously or even consider, but knowing what to do to maintain a safe core temperature when lost in a blizzard or in the desert could save your life. Lundin delivers the message with wit, rebellious humor, and plenty of backcountry expertise.

Cody Lundin and his Aboriginal Living Skills School have been featured in dozens of national and international media sources, including Dateline NBC, CBS News, USA Today, The Donny and Marie Show, and CBC Radio One in Canada, as well as on the cover of Backpacker magazine. When not teaching for his own school, he is an adjunct faculty member at Yavapai College and a faculty member at the Ecosa Institute. Cody is the only person in Arizona licensed to catch fish with his hands, and lives in a passive solar earth home sixty miles from Prescott, Arizona. ... Read more

Reviews

Reality at its best, August 3, 2004
Excellent book on survival. I am glad someone finally divides "SURVIVAL" from "Wilderness Living Skills" I would venture to say that most people that provide bad reviews of this book are looking for texts in Wilderness Living Skills. There are other books for that. I use 98.6 for a text book in our Search and Rescue Team training. In reality most victims succumb to hypothermia in survival situations other than trying to catch fish with a shoe string and a safety pin. It is reality at its best, presented in a humorous fashion.

Ted Fisher, Vermilion County Search and Rescue

A Fresh New Look at Survival, August 27, 2004
It's about time I pick up a book that has more than a list of survival skills. In fact, this book doesn't make any attempt to teach you how to trap animals or construct log furniture in the wilderness. Instead, you learn how to idetify potential survival situations and avoid getting into them if possible. If you do, backcountry knowledge will be helpful but it will be even better if you know how to take care of the basics such as controling fear and focusing on keeping your body at a comfy 98.6 degrees. I absolutely loved this book. There is discussion of psychology, biology, and physiology, all in a basic easy to understand format. Lundin's writing style is as if he were there talking to you. One of my personal favorites of the book is the chapter on survival kits, complete with color photographs. I thought I had a pretty good kit but after reading this, I need to make a few changes. If you spend any time in the world, anywhere, I recommend this book. If you want to know how to build monster solar stills, trap wild animals, and spear fish, look elsewhere. This book rocks!

It kept my ass alive!, May 12, 2005
Prior to embarking on a rugged solo day hike in AZ's Superstition Wilderness, I read this book cover to cover. (I'm a middle-aged, East Coast trail hiker who hasn't hiked recently, so survival was a major consideration.) My desert day hike turned into an overnight stay on a canyon ledge far from the trailhead. Thanks to Cody Lundin's book, I maintained a "party on" attitude, was fully prepared (both with equipment and mentally), and spent a fabulous night watching the stars. The right attitude is everything! Enjoyed the humor and common sense approach of his writing. His examples stick with you when you need them. Great tips on putting together a practical, personal survival kit that will work anywhere. There's now one in my pack and one in my car. Lots of useful information on how to overcome fear and keep your head.

Skewers Many a Sacred Cow About Wilderness Survival..., February 24, 2007
This book works for many reasons:

1. Unlike alot of wilderness survival books that are cut and paste jobs from military manuals, Cody's book is funny, entertaining, and highly readable while remaining on topic-hence the info conveyed will stay with you.
But don't be fooled by the gonzo approach. Cody knows what he's talking about. The first few chapters about maintaining core body temperature should probably be read more than once.

2. Cody covers the base essentials: wear proper clothing, maintain core body temperature, and prepare for the 72-hour survival window. Learning how to snare a deer, while fun, with your boot string probably won't come into play during most wilderness survival ordeals. (I did actually learn how to do this at a survival course in Virginia.)
And here's the statistical bottomline of Cody's overall philosophy: if you aren't located in the first 72 hours, your chance of survival and rescue drops to 3%. Of course this doesn't mean you give up, but that's the statistical reality.

3. Cody devotes a substantial part of the book on how to build a personal survival kit. I really like his approach: the kit should be portable and cheap; hence, you can build several, test them beforehand, easily replace items, and become intimately familiar with them. No need to buy a $120 Doug Ritter Survival Knife or $150 Delta Life Capsule unless you have money to burn or are a survival gear junkie like me.

4. And let me say one last thing...military manuals written about survival should be taken with a grain of salt; in a survival situation, your goal should be to stay loud and visible until found; in the military, even in a survival situation, our goal is to remain invisible and undetected until rescued; usually with the aid of radio and satellite.

You cannot go wrong with this book., March 2, 2006
If you are involved in *any* outdoor activity, even if you just walk to your mailbox and back, this is a book you should have.

Filled with all kinds of insightful tips, tricks, and Cody's personal take on the survival kit, it stands up better than many of the other books in the field.

What I like most is Cody's survival kit, a core to the book. It is small (fits in a fanny pack), lightweight (under 5 lbs), and inexpensive (no costs given, but I priced it out at well under $50 and that is buying much of the pieces at a regular retailer, as opposed to a discount store).

Go ahead, pick up a copy, you can't go wrong.

A great guide to getting out of a survival situation., October 9, 2006
Unless something is wrong with you, your goal when thrust into a survival situation is to get out of it as fast as you can. That is the premise of this book. You won't find detailed instructions on building and using a fire bow. You won't find recomendations on the biggest, baddest knife. The one used in the book has about a 4 inch blade and retails for less than $20. You will find practicle suggestions for fire. You will also find suggestions on assembling a survival kit that's thorough but not enormous. There is scientific discussion on the human body's reaction to the environment. All of this is presented in a humorous style. The book focuses on preparation for a survival situation and how to get out of it. Not learning flint knapping, snare building, dead falls, etc. I found the book informative and easy to read. Those offended by the few cartoon characters should get a life.

Everybody Ought To Read This First, Like It Or Not!, June 17, 2009
OK, here's the deal. If you've ever read through one of the exhaustive, "Military-FM-Type" survival manuals (some of which are really great, by the way - Lofty Wiseman's classic comes to mind), you know that they often detail a half-dozen ways to improvise and use fishing gear, maybe a dozen different snares and deadfalls, and several dozen or more species of wild edibles. Absolutely none of which are included in Cody Lundin's book.

And they darn well shouldn't be. Simple as that.

Because even a cursory glance at survival/rescue statistics will support Cody's assertion that the vast majority of wilderness survival scenarios, barring getting lost in the Amazon or something (if that's a possibility for you, by all means check out Wiseman, but AFTER you've read this -- what's here still applies), occur over a 72 hour period or less. This book is about making it through that three day period. That means that, given an average amount of body fat, you could have not eaten for a couple of WEEKS before you got lost and probably still come out okay. Food's just not an issue for short term survival, folks.

But hypothermia and hyperthermia? Now THOSE are issues, as another casual glance at the statistics will confirm. What's the number one killer? Not a failure to eat. Not a failure to navigate by the stars. Not even a failure to adequately execute a figure-four deadfall. Nope. The number one killer is a failure to adequately regulate core body temperature.

The problem is, everybody else glosses over this particular subject on their way to the really cool improvised fishing tackle and blowguns. I mean EVERYBODY. I love the books by Lofty Wiseman, Greg Davenport, Bradford Angier, and Ray Mears, just to name a few. I really do, and I think they're all worthwhile reads. But maintaining temperature is given barely a mention in these works; maybe a paragraph each for arctic and desert extremes, maybe a page or two in the first aid section. And it's the NUMBER ONE KILLER!

What the reading of Cody Lundin's book does is hammer this realization into your brain by way of repetition, mnemonics, humor, and cartoons. These things aren't filler, as has been suggested; they're part of a bona fide teaching methodology. And it's a methodology that works. The book actually affects your behavior on (or off) the trail. You'll find yourself constantly monitoring your body, your clothing, your fluid intake. If you go out with loved ones, you'll find yourself far less cavalier concerning their environmental safety. And if something does happen, to you or to someone else, you'll by God know what to do about it. All of which are Really Good Things.

So, yes, there are certainly more complete technical manuals on the market, and I urge anyone even remotely interested to check them out. But the fact is that hypo/hyperthermia isn't something that should be relegated to a blurb, like treating a snakebite or building an igloo. It's SERIOUS and, whoever you are, if you play outside you're LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE ONE OR BOTH at some point. So start here. Enjoy Cody's style, or not. Laugh at the cartoons, or not. But read it, because if you do I guarantee that the information that's here will stick with you, and might just save your life.

Just the facts..., January 30, 2006
And you will get more than that in this gem of a book. This book is not about long term survival but is focused on how to avoid injury or death in a far more common scenario - backcountry emergency, the trip gone bad, etc...Well researched information on what the body requires to get out alive. I especially enjoyed the survial kit photos (well done) and descriptions. I would have to say this is one of the most useful books on the subject and from a man who has real experience to share.

Lots of valuable information and easy to understand, February 9, 2006
The goal of Lundin's book is to teach you how to survive until help arrives. As such, he doesn't attempt to teach primitive living skills. As he points out, it's not that they're without value, but the most common wilderness emergency situation is being stranded in the middle of nowhere for a few days. His in-depth explanations of how the body succumbs to hypothermia and hyperthermia are well written and serve to drive home his points regarding proper clothing and hydration. Lundin also stresses the importance of keeping your head and offers useful advice for doing so. The section on survival kits is highly informative with good logical explanations for each item included. The author provides valuable, easy-to-follow instructions in other areas as well (such as fire starting and signaling rescuers). There isn't much at all on land navigation, but then again that's not the subject Lundin is dealing with. The book, while well written and often humorous, frequently uses language that's unnecessarily raw, but given the excellent information presented, it's easily overlooked. This is a well written text that provides a great deal of information in a format that is easily understood.

A must-read for any hiker, hunter, camper, etc., August 25, 2007
If you believe the TV drama crap in the show "Man vs. Wild" where Grylls is scaling cliffs and jumping into freezing rivers, this book isn't for you because Cody Lundin actually wants you to live. The book 98.6 Degrees tells you statistically that most people who die in the wilderness die from hypothermia and hypothermia -- not from avalanches, bear attacks, etc. But most people don't want to hear this maybe because it isn't exciting enough.

I think of this book as the foundation from which all survivalism studies should start. The book really goes into great detail into the "whys" of exposure and other conditions one commonly faces in the wild. You need this information so that you can adapt and think on your own for the unique situation you may face. Cody challenges traditional survivalism manuals and has the personal experience to back up what he writes. One reviewer labeled this book as a kum-bay-ya book, but the book is exactly the opposite. The book speaks with life saving frankness and flat out tells you that you will be worm food if you make certain wrong decisions.

The book has some great color photos and diagrams as well and has perhaps the best and most thorough advice on assembling a survival kit I've seen (the book explains why store bought kits are seriously lacking). The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that I felt the book, at times, spends a little too much time on trivia knowledge (e.g., history of the match) at the expense of more knowledge on shelter building strategies, how to build a fire, etc. I want more info on how to put the survival kit to use. I suppose that might be in a sequel to this wonderful book. Despite minor shortcomings, this book has completely changed how I look at preparing for and handling survival situations. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The man who revolutionized the field guide to birds now brings his formidable skills of identification and illustration to the more than six hundred tree species of North America. Similar in size and format to The Sibley Guide to Birds, the layout for this guide is another triumph of logic and concision. Species are arranged taxonomically, not by features such as leaf shape (as in most other guides), which will enable the user to browse the images to find a match for an observed tree in the same way a birder uses the bird guide. And all pages will follow the same format, allowing the user to pinpoint particular information with ease. David Sibley s meticulous, exquisitely detailed paintings illustrate the cycles of annual and lifetime development, and reveal even the very subtle similarities and distinctions between like elements of different species: bark, leaves, needles, cones, flowers, fruit, twigs, and silhouettes. More than four hundred maps show the complete range, both natural and cultivated, for nearly all the species. Issues of conservation, preservation, and environmental health are addressed in authoritative essays. As innovative, comprehensive, and indispensable as The Sibley Guide to Birds, this new book will set the standard of excellence in field guides to trees. 1.05 inches tall x 6.47 inches long x 9.76 inches wide ... Read more

Reviews

Good first impression, but ..., October 13, 2009
As someone who spends much of my free time poking about in the natural environment, has been an avid birder for over 35 years, and has a graduate degree in botany (ecology and systematics), I have used most of the major field guides and many of the more technical floras for North America. My hope was that this guide would be equivalent in importance to Sibley's bird guides.
The first things I do with a new plant guide is test it against a flora I'm familiar with and see what sort of identification keys are used. I didn't notice any errors or exclusions for the trees of Michigan, but using a common ID problem for this area, looked at the comparison between white and red/green ash. Sibley notes that red/green ash may have hairy twigs, but doesn't make clear that they may also have smooth twigs, as does white ash. He also doesn't point out that growth habit is often a good clue for distinguishing red/green from white ash, nor does he mention that some authorities now split red/green into two species. This is the sort of thing that makes me doubt the book's usefulness if someone tries to use it in an unfamiliar flora.
The biggest problem with this book, and I consider it to be significant, is the lack of identification keys. Although Sibley includes extensive illustrations of compound and lobed leaves in the beginning of the book, what does one do with an unfamiliar tree with a simple leaf? The only option is to start flipping through the pages, and that is a method that will lead to many misidentifications. Useful keying systems have been developed that don't require extensive knowledge of botanical terminology (e.g., Newcomb's system). Also, a glossary, or given Sibley's artistic gift, an illustrated glossary would be very helpful.
There are some good things about this book. It is the only book I'm aware of that includes all (or nearly all) the native and naturalized trees, and many or most of the commonly planted ornamentals found in North America. It also includes a number of shrub species that rarely take tree form (in fact, its inclusiveness of ornamentals and shrubs seems a bit far reaching and inconsistent). The art work is good, but I don't think Sibley's style is nearly as effective for trees as it is for birds.
This is an attractive book that presents basically sound information, but it seems to fall somewhere between a useful identification guide and an aesthetic celebration of trees. With a little tweaking and some editorial review by some botanists with regional or taxonomic specialties, this could be an awesome book.

Finally a real field guide for trees, October 3, 2009
I was very excited when I found Sibley's field guide for trees. I was secretly wishing that Sibley would produce a field guide for trees with the same level of detail as his guide to birds so I had been holding out for a long time to buy a field guide for trees. Sibley's field guide, unlike others, actually shows full color illustrations of each part (young/old bark, buds, flowers and most importantly, like he did with the bird guide, a full review of the different forms of a leaf of every tree). In just a few minutes of thumbing through the book I was able to ID a couple of trees that have been vexing me. Like Sibley did with birds, he has produced the definitive field guide to trees.

A work of art, October 9, 2009
The artwork in this book puts me in mind of David More's work in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Trees which covers trees grown in England and Europe. I remember wishing there was a book of that quality for North America. In August of this year (2009) I got my wish.

Sibley's guide is more portable than the aforementioned work. It's larger than the typical field guide but will fit into a backpack or can be left in the car.

What strikes me most about Sibley's guide is the illustrations of leaves and fruit. They are more lifelike than even photographs can be and they seem to jump off of the clear white paper. The text is brief but mentions fine points in identification that make it invaluable. The only fault I can find with the book is it should have more tree silhouettes. Even with that fault I find it the best overall guide with its clear and precise leaf and fruit illustrations.

A good guide, but not inclusive or thorough, November 29, 2009
This guide seems designed to sell rather than to be useful; to be looked at rather than used. It lacks some things that it really should have.

First, as pointed out by others, it needs some kind of key system for identification.

Most importantly, this book needs more than two or three sentences per tree. The distinguishing features listed are in many cases wholly insufficient to accurately and consistently identify the species. Sibley perhaps sees trees as being as simple to identify as birds; due to introgression, they are not. One or two features is not enough to go on. Often, very useful identification features are left out of his text. For example, in his description of rock elm, there is no mention of the growth form/tree shape, which is by far the most distinctive aspect of this tree, and the easiest way to identify it.

The selection of trees included is very odd indeed. While he says that "any plant species that is commonly over 30 feet tall with a trunk more than one foot thick is included in this guide," this is simply not true. Peachleaf willow, for example, grows to be more than three feet in diameter and seventy feet in height, but is oddly not included. While many questionable "trees" such as glossy buckthorn are included, others that average larger in size, such as black haw, are not. The blue elder of the mountain west is not discussed, even though it commonly grows in tree form and may stand 30 or more feet tall. While he excuses this erratic inclusion in the introduction by saying that "one could quibble endlessly over the definition of a tree," this seems like a cop-out. Other guides, like the old Outdoor Life guide by T. Elias, do not have this problem. A tree guide should at least cover the common and widespread species that regularly reach tree size, even if they are usually smaller; if it chooses to cover only some, there should be some logic or consistency in how this is done.

The three things that I have pointed out seem to have been left out to save space. This is probably the publisher's fault. I understand that many buyers want a small book, or a pocket guide. Less inclusive guides are made for them. People who want a thorough and inclusive tree guide need to realize that there are lots of trees and accept that such a guide will simply have to be physically large. The Sibley guide tries to be both small and thorough and simply fails. Another year of work and 150 more pages could make this book the best of its kind.

All that said, it's a good book. I was disappointed only because I expected it to be great. It is certainly better than its main competitors in this niche. I'd recommend, along with this, getting a more thorough guide that is specific to your region.

Not a field guide, October 28, 2009
This book is not suitable as a field guide, for two main reasons. First, the book is physically too large and heavy to be practical to carry around on long hikes. Second, there is no usable identification key for locating species. The paintings of leaves and trees are beautiful, but short of going page by page through large sections of the book, there is no way to quickly locate a particular tree. Compare this to the vastly superior decision tree and organization of the Peterson Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs, which lets you narrow your search to one or two candidate species in a matter of minutes by answering a series of yes/no questions about a leaf specimen. I wish Sibley had just donated his wonderful artwork to the Peterson series.

If You Buy 1 Field Guide to Trees, This Is It, November 12, 2009
This is an amazing book. It is not the most comprehensive guide, but covering more the most common half of tree species in North America, it would be quite unwieldy to tote around if Sibley were aiming at completeness. Sibley has arranged the trees by families, which is quite convenient for narrowing down what you are trying to identify. However, what makes this book such a fantastic companion is how he can pack the most relevant information, mainly in pictorial form, about each tree in a page or two. The illustrations of leaves (often both sides, some in fall colors), bark, twigs, seeds, nuts, acorns, flowers, etc. are geared to helping make a rapid identification. By using pictures, instead of lengthy descriptions, you can instantly compare the tree you are looking at to the species in the book. If you are interested about the trees in your back yard, the local park, or hiking through the forest, this guide can help you find out what you are looking at. Knowing the name, can then be the spring board to find out more our leafy friends.

Know your neighbors, November 1, 2009
As an Australian recently arrived in the USA, this book has been my savior. I pride myself on my knowledge of the Australian flora and fauna, and I was becoming increasingly frustrated by my ignorance of the trees that adorn my patch of Kentucky. I have looked at a lot of reference works on the American flora, but many are intended for the home library, not the backpack or glovebox, and those which are not are often too limited to provide anything other than a general idea of what one is looking at. "The Sibley Guide To Trees" bridges the gap.
I had not long been in this country when I bought "The Sibley Guide to Birds", which I use to confirm and expand on identifications I have made using my Falcon "The Easy Bird Guide: Eastern Region: A Quick Identification Guide for All Birders (Falcon Guide)". David Sibley's "Birds" set the standard for me and his "Guide To Trees" is of the same caliber.
Sibley provides enough initial detail to narrow the field when you're seeking to name a particular tree, but he limits the use of scientific terms only to those necessary to identification, always welcomed if you are turned off by references that appear too technical. Clear, annotated illustrations of flowers, fruit and leaves along with tree silhouettes and in some cases branch and twig details are great refinements - as are the illustrations of the fall colors displayed by some species, these could be the clincher in identifying members of large families.
A home-owner planning a native garden would also find this book a useful tool. Not only are average and maximum heights given, but the additional information will tell her how the garden might look throughout the year, leaf-color in fall, tree shape in winter and so on.
One small thing stopped me from giving this book 5 stars. I would like to see a symbol used to identify naturalized garden escapes and another for introduced species. Even so, I would rank "The Sibley Guide To Trees" at 4.5 stars if it were possible to do so.

Sibley guide to trees, December 14, 2009
Wow! I really like this book. It is easy to use and gives so much information to make it easier for a "newbie" like me to identify trees. The drawings are detailed with good descriptions. The quality of the book is great in every way.

The reason I like this book better than one on trees for my section of the country is that so many times I come across a tree that is "non-native" to my area and it is not listed in the other tree books. This book has native trees and common trees. I have found it very useful.

Ho Hum, November 12, 2009
I guess this would be useful if you needed a quick guide to identify every tree in the continental US. Descriptions are very skimpy and they often feature 2 or even 3 trees per page. For me, this book was a waste of money. If you're not planning to visit all 48 states you would be much better served by buying a good regional guide. I live in Maine and I find Trees of the Northern United States And Canada is much more useful as they devote 2 full pages to each tree.

Simple format, great illustrations, December 23, 2009
The Sibley Guide to Trees has a great format that has worked so well in wild life guide books, pertinent illustrations and well written descriptions. It even has a check list in the back like a birding book.

My only issue would be that the maps showing the range of the trees are very small and hard to use. But all in all, a great book that many people have picked up off my coffee table to browse. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A detailed guide to all aspects of using edible wild plants, from identifying and collecting through preparation. Covers 41 plants in-depth and the text is accompanied by multiple color photos. ... Read more

Reviews

It isn't slightly better than other books on the topic; it's in a whole different league., April 1, 2010
These are not good times to put out a book on edible wild plants. Unless you're Samuel Thayer.

When I reviewed Thayer's first book, The Foragers Harvest, I wrote that it is as good or better than anything available on the topic. It has since become the go-to book for students at the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School. His new book, Nature's Garden, builds upon the high standard set by The Foragers Harvest and establishes him as the leading authority and author on edible wild plants that has ever published. It isn't slightly better than other books on the topic; it's in a whole different league.

The meat of the book is made up of plant accounts. These are in-depth profiles of edible plants, full of photos of how to identify, harvest and use them. The author bases all of his work on personal experience, so there aren't the usual falsehoods handed down by authors of lesser works. Instead, you get what works, along with anecdotal stories of how the author got to know the individual plants and how he's used them in the past. His writing style is conversational, and while there is a description for each plant that includes botanical terminology, the author writes it so as to make it accessible to the non-botanist. The numerous photos contribute greatly to aid the neophyte in identifying the individual species. The Harvest And Preparation section for each plant is where the author's experience really shines. Whereas the Peterson's Field Guide To Edible Wild Plants will list "starchy root" or similar descriptive term after a plant, Thayer has several pages of highly descriptive how-to information. To use a specific example, most books on edible plants have a sentence or two on acorns. Nature's Garden has 50 pages.

Anyone who has read The Foragers Harvest would expect the Plant Accounts to be encyclopedic and accessible, full of great photos and useful information. On this point, they deliver. If the book contained just Plant Accounts it would still be a fantastic resource. But there's more to outdoor living and foraging than how-to, and in the first section of the book the author gives a snapshot into the mind of living with wild foods. With sections on getting started, the ethics of harvesting wild plants, conservation, personal experiences on a wild food diet and a harvest calendar, he provides those new to foraging a great jumping off point. In a section titled Some Thoughts On Wild Food, he offers useful advice such as don't make a wild plant fit the description in the book (which is a common pitfall), then expounds upon the myth of the instant expert. The last chapter of the section is titled "Poison Plant Fables", where he discusses the story of Christopher McCandless and how his demise in Alaska, chronicled in the book and movie Into The Wild, didn't occur as the famous author of his biography would have us believe. He didn't poison himself by eating the wrong plant. Rather, he starved to death. By pointing out the facts, though, he doesn't poke fun at McCandless like so many armchair survivalists like to do. Instead, he treats him with respect, saving his derision for the authors and movie producers for not telling the truth. The money quote from this section comes in a section titled "What Lessons About Wilderness Survival And Wild Food Can Be Drawn From The Story Of Chris McCandless?"

'In a short term survival situation, food is of minor importance. However, in long term survival or "living off the land", it is of paramount importance.'

Bushcraft continues to evolve for me away from skills and toward personal relationships with the land and people. While I've never met Samual Thayer, after reading this first section I feel that we're kindred spirits.

There isn't a better book on edible wild plants. Taken together with The Foragers Harvest, it is the last word on the topic in print. I don't think more can be learned from any book; to go beyond what Thayer has written, you have to be out there actively foraging.

A Must-Own!, April 8, 2010
Whether you're a newbie or an experienced forager, you'll find this book fascinating and a must-own. I have over 200 books on edible wild plants, and this is far and away the best ever published.

A visual and informative treat that is hard to put down, its 512 pages are well illustrated with 415 color photos. Sam brings us fresh insights on 41 new plants. ("New" because the first book in Sam's series, The Forager's Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants covered 32 other plants.) One of the great things about Sam's writing is that it is absolutely authentic, based on first-hand knowledge. For instance, every one of the 32 plants in TFH is one that Sam has eaten at least 50 times.

A second thing that distinguishes Sam's work from other authors is that Sam has a great curiosity. He doesn't hesitate to question edible wild plant claims made by other authors. He delves into research reports and studies, experiments on his own and keeps track of his findings like a scientist. His "Nature's Garden" account on acorns is 51 pages long, and contains information and a synthesis of material and insights that you'll not find anywhere else.

One of the plants included in NG is garlic mustard, which I had written off as an edible that wasn't to my liking. I've cooked and eaten the leaves, the flower buds, and the tuberous root. I've nibbled on the bitter, pungent seeds. In his chapter on garlic mustard, Sam writes that the young, succulent stalks, stripped of leaves before the plant blooms, are mild, sweet and juicy. He says that they are good in salads, snacked on raw, excellent boiled or steamed like asparagus, and that they add a nice flavor to soups. This may sound weird, but I can hardly wait for garlic mustard to come up again this spring, so I can try it!

Sam also has a chapter on autumn olive. He says that they are the berry of choice for making fruit leather. I agree wholeheartedly. He demonstrated how to make it several years ago, let me taste some, and I thought the fruit leather was awesome. Since then, I have made enough for my own use and have shared it with over 300 people in wild food presentations.

If you are concerned with how applicable this book might be to your part of the country, take a look at page 16 if allowed by Amazon. In the chart, Sam states a percentage of the plants covered that would be found for a given state or Canadian province or territory. Sam has done a masterful job of choosing the 41 plants, and comments in each plant's chapter on closely related species found in other North American locations. Only three states - Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada - and two Canadian territories - Nunavat and Yukon - are below 50%. Even if I lived in one of them, I would still want to purchase this book for the insights that Sam delivers. Also, since I travel, it would allow me to pursue my hobby in other regions.

This book is definitely a must-own.

A professional-quality reference, April 12, 2010
Award-winning expert in wild foods Samuel Thayer presents his latest, up-to-date expert work in Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants. Nature's Garden lives up to its title with extensive information on harvest seasons for wild plants, and detailed instructions for preparing gathered foodstuffs. More than 400 color photographs on high-quality paper illustrate this compendium, helping the viewer see the difference more acutely in look-alike plants. From black oak acorns to ligonberries to cow parsnip and more, Nature's Garden covers an immense diversity of edible plants - including some that require extensive preparation according to step-by-step instructions. A professional-quality reference, and an absolute "must-have" for anyone seriously contemplating "living off the land" for an extended period of time.

Sam Thayer continues to fill the void!!!, April 1, 2010
Thayer has compiled another outstanding edible wild plant book with 512 pages that essentially has the same format as his first book, The Forager's Harvest, which has 360 pages. Not only does Nature's Garden continue to fill the void but the author listened to criticisms about his first book and expanded the coverage for the entire U.S. and Canada by including widespread species and genus-groups. A tutorial on "Plant Identification and Safe Consumption" provides the step by step lesson for those unfamiliar with how to go about getting started. The author has a nice 20 page chapter on "Poisonous Plant Fables" in which he puts to rest the twisted and incorrect notion that Christopher McCandless died from eating a poisonous plant that was perpetuated by Jon Krakauer's book, Into the Wild. There are 42 plant account chapters that are applicable to well over 100 species of North American edible wild plants. Every plant account has the common name(s), scientific name(s), family scientific and common names, an introduction covering some thoughts and experiences of the author, description, range and habitat, harvest & preparation, while others may include sections on ecology, history and lore, individual genus or species accounts, comparative tables, a dichotomous key (Lettuce-Dandelion Group only), line drawing (lotus tubers only) and an abundance of excellent photos. There are 50 pages dedicated to a fan-freakin'-tastic section on how to collect, process and utilize acorns from oak trees. He has added some very useful comparative photographs of some commonly mixed up poisonous and edible plants. For example, he clearly shows how to differentiate between Poison Hemlock (C. maculatum) and Wild Carrot (D. carota). In comparison to his first book, it contains a bibliography that is 4 times the size and a similar but slightly expanded glossary which is also very useful, as well as a handy index. A visually stimulating book with informative, enthusiastic words from an experienced, practicing forager who continues to research and experiment with edible wild plants. Without question, this book must be in the hands of those who are just beginning through to the accomplished foragers. Sam: thanks for taking the time to assemble this fabulous book and for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us so we can more easily and confidently enjoy the bounty that nature provides!

Absolutely Excellent!!, May 18, 2010
I have about a dozen different books on edible wild plants in my library, and Samuel Thayer's books are by far my favorites. Where other authors attempt to give you a huge list of all of the edible plants in the United States, or a large area thereof, Sam has narrowed his focus to a much smaller number of plants that have significant food value. A brief glance at other wild edibles books will show that a large proportion of the plants listed in them are only suitable for use as a tea or salad green. Rarely do they make much distinction between what is simply edible and what actually tastes good, or give sufficiently detailed instructions for those plants which require special preparations. In contrast, Sam presents extensive, detailed instructions and photographs on identification, harvest, preparation, and storage of those plants which are not just edible, but also delicious, and that have sufficient caloric value to be capable of serving a meaningful role in the diet of a forager.

Like his first book, "The Forager's Harvest", "Nature's Garden" has a regional bias toward plants that are found in the Midwestern United States. However, he has selected plants that have a wide geographic distribution to make this volume useful over a larger area. About half of the species covered in the book occur in all of the lower 48 states.

I would recommend this book very highly to anyone who is interested in learning more about edible wild plants, no matter their experience level.

Outstanding, accessible and comprehensive, July 2, 2010
No matter how well you know your wild edibles, American forager Samuel Thayer can teach you something. His brand new how-to book, called "Nature's Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting and Preparing Edible Wild Plants," is by far the best work on the subject, well worth the $25 cover price.

What sets "Nature's Garden" apart from other guide books is its incredible depth. Thayer is true to his subtitle as he tackles the intricacies of 42 common plants found across North America -- including dock, elderberry, oak, wild lettuce, amaranth, chickory and huckleberry -- over 512 glossy pages. Packed with outstanding full-color photos and helpful charts (for instance, on the characteristics of red vs. white acorns), the book is highly useful for beginning and advanced foragers alike. It is written in an accessible yet scholarly style that avoids jargon whenever possible.

Thayer's propensity for going the extra mile on the details makes this a total win for readers who really want to try this in the field. Lots of books might tell you, for instance, that young dock leaves taste better than older ones. But Thayer offers helpful tips like, "They do not have to be tiny, just young," and "As long as the sides are even slightly rolled up, the leaf will be tender. Often...you will find them very slimy. Don't worry: the slime is a sign that you are getting leaves at the right stage, and it will rinse off."

Though it's by and large a how-to, there is a narrative element as the author opens each chapter with a reflective personal anecdote about his experiences. These can be serious in tone, so I appreciated the occasional levity in the captions: Passifloracea, he writes, is "arguably the coolest-looking flower in the world." And the first 75 pages are an entertaining read as Thayer reveals his personal views on what really killed Christopher McCandless of "Into the Wild."

Thayer's first book, "The Forager's Harvest," was published in 2006 and has become a respected standard, covering 32 wild foods, from cattail to stinging nettle (the newest work does repeat a few, but not many). One of my favorite features is a handy calendar outlining the harvest times for various plant parts from March through November. Fortunately, the latest work does too.

Review originally appeared on FirstWays[dot]com

If I could only have one book on foraging, this would be it., April 30, 2010
I said the same thing about his first book. I hope I get to say it about his next book. I am going to automatically buy anything Samuel Thayer writes from now on. His refreshing "claimer" (as opposed to "disclaimer") was alone worth the purchase price. Mr. Thayer is as much a philosopher as a forager. He encourages us to participate in nature rather than just visiting it like tourists, and does so in a forthright manner that appeals greatly to me.

Wonderful!, September 24, 2010
Fairly new to the subject of wild edibles... I REALLY enjoy this book! Packed full with big beautiful, colorful, clear pictures and complete, easy to understand descriptions-- what a gem! A joy to read and very interesting. I also got the other book Forager's Harvest by Samuel Thayer, and I am glad I did. Very pleased! Both books are recommended to anyone with an interest in the subject, gardeners and farmers, teachers, naturalists, survival minded folk, pro-organic types...you name it!

Great guide to wild edibles, May 25, 2010
I like that he has first hand knowledge and has (it sounds like) dedicated his life to this topic. It is nice that he goes into depth on each plant and shows poisonous look-alike plants. I find this book to be well written; interesting to read; and useful for this topic. It is nice that he spends time discussing the myths about harvesting wild edibles. It helps to allay some of the fear and societal pressure against it.

Detailed Guide to a Variety of Plants, May 18, 2010
This book is deep into 5 star territory, right at or near the top. The author clearly combined a lot of research on edible plants along with a lot of personal experience. I have picked just a couple of the plants that are reviewed so far but they match the descriptions of the author exactly.

More than a book on gathering herbs, if you are open to it, this will change the way that you think about the natural world and early North American history. North American has edible plants all over as if it were the remains of wild/forest gardens tended to for thousands of years.

Great descriptions of both the plants to pick, whether similar plants are edible [that you might mistake a plant for along with detailed descriptions of poisonous plants you could mistake for edible ones. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A stunningly original exploration of the ties that bind us to the beautiful, ancient, astoundingly accomplished, largely unknown, and unfathomably different species with whom we share the world.
 
For as long as humans have existed, insects have existed, too. Wherever we’ve traveled, they’ve traveled, too. Yet we hardly know them, not even the ones we’re closest to: those that eat our food, share our beds, and live in our homes.
 
Organizing his book alphabetically with one entry for each letter, weaving together brief vignettes, meditations, and extended essays, Hugh Raffles embarks on a mesmerizing exploration of history and science, anthropology and travel, economics, philosophy, and popular culture to show us how insects have triggered our obsessions, stirred our passions, and beguiled our imaginations.
 
Raffles offers us a glimpse into the high-stakes world of Chinese cricket fighting, the deceptive courtship rites of the dance fly, the intriguing possibilities of queer insect sex, the vital and vicious role locusts play in the famines of west Africa, how beetles deformed by Chernobyl inspired art, and how our desire and disgust for insects has prompted our own aberrant behavior.
 
Deftly fusing the literary and the scientific, Hugh Raffles has given us an essential book of reference that is also a fascination of the highest order.

http://insectopedia.org/ ... Read more

Reviews

Crazy bugs, crazy people, April 27, 2010
This book is about those moments when you've thought the cockroach in the sink was staring back at you. It is not about entomology, and it's not science. It's about how human imagination brings insects into view in unexpected ways, and it's about the ways insects can show people in a curious light. It's about finding out that you are surrounded by thousands of bugs that never bother you, and it's about that moment of sickness when you learn how many spiders you swallow at night. The writing doesn't argue but rather demonstrates through the use of often dainty details and metaphors that can be as fragile as the wings of a fly. Sometimes the language can be too fragile - but overall it's generous, playful, and quite a joy to read.

Interesting look at the human world through insects, April 12, 2010
Insectopedia is an intriguing study of the human world through its relationships with insects. Why do we have such a visceral revulsion to cockroaches, but not (for example) ladybugs? What does the intricate communication methods of bees (physical movement), pine beetles (auditory), and ants (chemical) say about our verbal language? How does a fly process visual information -- and can we ever really "see" from another creature's viewpoint?

Particularly interesting chapters include a first hand account of Chinese cricket fighting, the history of the theory of evolution through insect study, and the amazing chapter about honeybee dances -- great cocktail party fodder! Did you know researchers can translate bees' dances into coordinates (as in, "there's a great stash of spilled jam 90 yards to the southeast")? Who *doesn't* find this stuff fascinating?!

The author is an anthropologist, not an entomologist. If you're looking for a simple guide to insects, this is not the book you're looking for. But if you're curious about how the worlds of insects and humans collide, Insectopedia is an interesting read. You know that insects outnumber humans by some 200 million to one, right? I, for one, welcome the knowledge about our future insect overlords.

I love this book, May 4, 2010
I love this book. Such an unusual, creative, and interesting way to think about the world - examining human life through our relationships with insects. There are so many fascinating stories here and they take you all over the world, to meet people in China, Japan, Africa, Switzerland, and other places and discover their lives through their unusual and intriguing connections to insects. Along the way, I learned not only many new facts about both people and insects but also, and this is no exaggeration, a new way of looking at the world and its inhabitants, human and animal. And a fun read to boot!

Insectopedia is an ingenious, original book, April 1, 2010
Insectopedia is an ingenious, original book by brilliant scholar and writer that goes deep
into a miniature world that reflects and philosophizes on just about everything in the human size world.
Insectopedia gives the reader all at once the spirit of l9th century delirious excitement, modernist story telling,
highly sophisticated humor in the telling, and an incisive journalistic account of particular places that few have gone to.
Hugh Raffles' writing and the accounts of his mysterious journeys are a pure and absolute pleasure to read.

--- Toni Schlesinger

fun and exciting read, May 13, 2010
This is a great, funny, well-written and engaging book. No, it's not a true encyclopedia, but instead jumps all over the place, throughout time and across continents and illustrates just a tiny fraction of the fascinating things there are to learn about the insect world. It was fun to read and kept me turning the pages to find out what else there was to learn.

they live among us, May 8, 2010
Hugh Raffles's Insectopedia is a beautifully and ever-so-carefully constructed opening into the world(s) of insect/ human relations, inviting readers to reconsider how we think about these little animals, both in our lives and in the lives which are their own. Perhaps the discomfort of some reviewers comes from the inability of the writing to fit squarely in science/ nature writing or in literature (technical vs. descriptive), as it forces the question of where the boundary may lie. This book is not merely about insects, but about the possibilities of knowing them and the possibilities of writing grandly about something so... small.

Insectopedia, September 20, 2010
The title is misleading, this is not a comprehesive look at the world of insects. Rather, it's an idiosyncratic collection of some of the odd and fabulous stories of how human beings interact with insects. Some of it is historical/cultural, some is current. The book strikes a balance between items that can easily interest most readers and in-depth sections on more arcane subjects. It is never boring. I highly recommend it.

Scary at first, May 17, 2010
I was afraid I was not going to be able to understand the book - but the topic was so charming that I decided to give it a shot. Besides insects always fascinated and scared me: all those legs and eyes, funny hairs, some are slimy, and others sting and hurt. Human beings scare me too: insects and humans together are just one scary nightmare.
I finally decided to start reading it a couple of weeks ago and to my surprise, I am really enjoying it, even if at times I do not indeed understand some passages. I am also surprised that some of my hesitations about insects are also studied in the book.
Overall this has been a curious experience for me and I am glad I finally decided to read it.

Bugged by Raffles, June 15, 2010
Raffles presents insights into the relationship between insects (ugh!) and us (yay!). Some of them are new, like the inside scoop on Chinese cricket-fight gambling, and some are old, like the honey-bee's dances that direct other bees to new nectar sources. Much of it I found fascinating, and many of the illustrations novel, delightful and intriguing. I have to say, too, that it is thoroughly documented and indexed.

But I found it such hard reading I couldn't finish it. His style is so turgid and verbose I had to resort to my Mirriam-Webster for each paragraph, and even then I wasn't sure what he was actually trying to say. And the encyclopedia format is contrived and silly, and unnecessarily so. Raffles' material could have been presented much better.

Three stars is generous.

Thought-Provoking, but not for Everyone, June 8, 2010
What begins as a professor's thoughts on our relationship with the insect world quickly becomes a fascinating study of man and beastie. Look elsewhere for details of insect science (although there is a wealth of information), Raffles focuses on how we study, relate to, share much in common with and can learn from the annoying critters around us. If you give this book a little time, it will take you to places that seem at once new and familiar. "What oft was thought but ne'er so well expressed" indeed. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Take a peek! Just turn these pages and discover a world filled with whimsical habitats constructed from natural materials. The idea is to entice a fairy to stop by for a visit. From rustic dwellings to fairy mansions, these small structures are appearing in woods, parks, backyard gardens and even at the beach. But beware! Building fairy houses can be addictive for all ages. Symptoms include exploring the outdoors, being creative, sparking the imagination and discovering Nature s enchantment. You know you re really hooked when you start building fairy houses ... everywhere! ... Read more

Reviews

A Scenic Tour Of Fairy Homes, July 21, 2007
I have a love of Fairies and one day while searching for all things Fairy on the internet, I discovered Fairy Houses; little dwellings for your yard and gardens for your family fairies to reside in. Of course I was immediately taken with the little homes constructed of materials found in nature; I wanted some and bad. That's when I discovered most of the ones I enjoyed that were already built cost about $200 - $300... Forget that!

Then one day I was searching on Amazon and discovered this book, Fairy Houses...Everywhere. This charming little picture book contains over 50 different colorful examples of hand made fairy homes. There is very little text, just brief introductions to pictures here and there. The pictures themselves are enchanting. These little homes are so inviting any fairy would be happy to reside in one.

There are houses built into trees, on the beach, in the water, snow and even in pumpkins and gourds. Some of the houses are intricate and have a lot of detail; others are wonderfully uncomplicated, but still appealing. There is a home for every season and every yard.

When this book arrived my 4 yr old son and I sat down to look through it. We made a list of features we liked and what we'd want our fairy house to look like. So far we have decided our house needs a swing, a ladder, some fairy boats and furniture made of sea shells. Armed with a large bucket, my son and I went for a walk last night to gather the first pieces of nature to use to build our fairy house together.

I admit a good portion of my family members think I have lost my mind, but my son and I are very excited about our project. This book doesn't contain how to instructions, but gives you enough examples of houses, at all levels of building skill, that I am sure most everyone will be able to create a fairy home. We hope to have our Fairy folk moved into their new home sometime in the next two weeks. When it's all said and done my son and I will have created something beautiful and a little magical together; that alone is worth the price of the book.

Creating Memories with your Children, September 22, 2006
My daughter has always been interested in fairy houses since we first watched Kristen's Fairy House. They are delightful little creations that she would spend hours making in the back yard, or we would go on walks and find natural things for her to use in her designs. She is now 8, and still very much into creating unique homes for the fairies. I feel so lucky to see her whimiscal artistic side bloom. She is even creating seasonal fairy house centerpieces for us to decorate our home with. I will always treasure these times with her, and the magical memories that we are making. Sorry if I am long winded. Getting to the point, this book has GORGEOUS photographs of all kinds of fairy houses, in all seasons. It is an inspiration to behold. My daughter and I love to look at the pictures over and over. The authors brought up a really nice fundraiser that they started by having everyone they knew in their neighborhood make fairy houses. What an interesting and unusual idea! Next house tour to raise money for school, can be fairy houses! This book offers the person that would like to get started making houses, lots of ideas, or is a sweet read for the person that just wants to appreciate little bits of beauty. A nice addition to Kristen's Fairy House Video/DVD, and sweet memories for family times together.

Explores the fantasy world of fairies as a fun task with an appeal to readers of all ages, June 13, 2006
Fairy Houses... Everywhere!, is a compilation of photographs and writings assembled by Barry & Tracy Kane, into an eccentric collection of brief, illustrated descriptions of wild and intricate fairy homes, mansions, cabins, marinas, gardens created by the artistic imagination of the authors. Providing readers with a complete and timeless anthology of a hobby-turned-profession, Fairy Houses... Everywhere! explores the fantasy world of fairies as a fun task with an appeal to readers of all ages. Fairy Houses... Everywhere! is highly recommended for its undeniably entertaining, wonderfully fun, innovative ideals and explorative concepts.

OUCH!! These photos are hurting my eyes!, November 26, 2007
Okay, I am not one to usually write a review,( although, I read them all the time! ) . . . However, I feel it necessary to inform those of you contemplating buying this book to PLEASE- first go look at it at your local bookstore. I am saying this b/c in the copy I received over 3/4's of the photos are OUT OF FOCUS!!! I can't really even tell you much about the book's subject matter etc., b/c flipping through this book literally hurt my eyes too much. I bought this for my son for the holidays, however, I am sending it right back b/c of its poor quality!

Beauty Beyond Words, November 30, 2006
This book is Fabulous! It took me back to my childhood when I used to build weird little things outdoors using sticks, stones, feathers and anything else I could find. Any creative child will love this book and be able to use it a aspring board to invent stories of their own, or set out to make their own fairy houses in the garden. This is not a "look at once" time book, this is a KEEPER. I should mention that there are no words in this book besides the headings such as "Woodland Fairy Houses", "Beach Fairy Houses", ect.

Nice idea, but too small, January 13, 2008
The idea behind the book, photographs of adorable houses built for fairies out of natural materials, is wonderful, but I found that the pictures were too small for my daughter to get too excited about. In future editions, I hope the authors/publisher will consider enlarging the photos and adding more text.

poor design, February 20, 2008
I found this book to be inspiring when it came to the beautiful fairy houses depicted, but I have to agree with another reviewer, in that the photo quality is quite poor. The photo quality really takes away from the book and the book design is unappealing. There are annoying feathered borders on photos on graded colour backgrounds which is really distracting to the eye. It looks like the photographer used a macro lens with improper settings or without a tripod, either way most closeup photos are out of focus likely from using a shutter speed too low. I recommend a new edition with a different layout and better photography....then it would be spectacular. Overall, I was disappointed and hope they put out a better edition....this book could be a real gem.

So so, January 11, 2007
I have to admit, I'm a bit over the pebbles and berries effort to make a faery home, if it's very primitive. Go on fairy houses dot com. If you like what you see then you'll enjoy this book. Fairy Island is a much nicer choice for a book in this type of genre, if you will. In fact one of my favorite books, is "In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hollow" by Disney, unbelievably, it's very eye catching. Check out my book list for tons of ideas. Wendy Froud's books are EXCELLENT too!

Beautiful Photographs, August 6, 2007
This book was everything I expected it to be. My 4 year old loves it and we used it for inspiration before beginning our fairy house scavenger hunt for her birthday party. All of the kids at the party loved it as well. This book is definitely going to be well used. The best part is that the kids really get to use their imagination and show their appreciation of nature as well. I would suggest it for ages 3 and up. Since there aren't any words, just chapter titles, it's ideal for any child that can't read yet (and I love it as well!). They can just curl up and enjoy the beautiful photographs of fairy houses which have all been made out of natural elements.

Not what I expected, December 28, 2009
I was expecting it to be faerie houses, with little stories to go along with them, or something to that effect...you know here's the house and then a story about the faeries who live there and pictures of how they decorate it for different seasons...well it's just pictures. There's almost no text in the book, and certainly no stories. As long as you realise it's just page after page of pictures (small ones, 4 per page in many cases) then you won't be disappointed. I'm actually sending my copy back though because I can't really find another use for this book? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Long-awaited, lavish, complete - Paul's lifetime accomplishment, September 30, 2010
Gregory S. Paul's 1988 book, _Predatory Dinosaurs of the World_Predatory Dinosaurs of the World: A Complete Illustrated Guide, reignited my childhood interest in dinosaurs when I was a teenager. I read it cover to cover several times and carried it around for months and months, lingering over his exacting white-skeletons-on-black-soft-tissue reconstructions with my eyes, ruminating over the accompanying text, and wistfully wishing that the book didn't stop with the last theropod but went on to cover sauropods and everything else in the same level of detail.

Now, some 22 years later, Paul releases what is probably his magnum opus: a big, bold 8 & 1/2 by 11 volume containing hundreds of reconstructions dozens of muscle studies and shaded skull drawings, and numerous fine color scenes. A feast for the eyes and an atlas for the imagination.

Paul writes in the preface: "Producing this book has been particular satisfying in that it has given me the reason to achieve a long-term goal, to illustrate the skeletons of almost all dinosaur species for which there is sufficiently complete available."

Thank you, Mr. Paul, from the bottom of our hearts! And thank you Princeton University Press for producing a durable big-format volume, the sort of thing that older boys can carry around on planes, trains, and automobiles . . .

Dinosaurs, October 1, 2010
This is a top quality book on dinosaurs at a price that most can afford. It is packed with excellent graphics and is filled with skeletal reconstructions of the professional quality that Gregory S. Paul is famous for using. There is knew information as well as some of the knewer dinosaurs and synonymies of formerly known kinds. Clearly, this is a must have for any dinosaur enthusiast.

A wealth of prehistoric information, November 7, 2010
This is one of the best dinosaur guides I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Lavishly illustrated, exhaustively researched, this guide is, in my humble opinion, the definitive guide to the prehistoric world. From well known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Allosaurus fragilis, to obscure dinosaurs such as Nothronychus mckinleyi and Cryolophosaurus ellioti, there's something for everyone. The introductory section of the book really brings you into the frame of mind you would need to venture into the wilderness of the past as well as even a brief section on what would be needed if one were to travel to that far distant past. Even some of the more recent discoveries have made their way into this book, such as Torosaurus actually being fully developed adult Triceratops horridus. Other dinosaurs, such as "Nanotyrannus" suffered the same fate in the past, but have since been properly identified as juveniles, Nanotyrannus in fact being the juvenile of Tyrannosaurus rex. The only disappointment, and this is a tiny one as I will explain, is there is no section on pterosaurs. Now, I'm quite certain that this is because the pterosaurs are not dinosaurs at all, but are very simply flying lizards. Still, a mention would have been nice. All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to any dinosaur enthusiast.

Great Book--Would like it to be "field guide" size, October 21, 2010
Paul's "Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs" is a wonderful resource with a great deal of information for professionals and lay persons alike, but particularly adults who have an interest in dinosaurs. That being said, it's difficult to know which audience this book is primarily targeting (professionals or lay persons).

To my knowledge, this is the first "field guide" since David Lambert's Dinosaur Field Guide (1986) and Dinosaur Data Book (1989) that extensively covers many known genera and species. However, one advantage to Paul's book over Lambert's is that many of the species accounts are accompanied by illustrations of the known skeletal material upon which the species are identified. Additionall, the skeletal reconstructions for a number of species are shown from different angles (top down & side view primarily). Couple this with Paul's life reconstructions and you have a wonderful resource.

Paul's incorporation of some of the latest research (e.g. Anchiornis huxleyi coloration) makes this book a great and timely asset.

As a lay person who has not kept up on many of the technical papers, I think I would have benefitted from more explanations of some of Paul's taxonomy changes. For example, I was surprised to learn that Styracosaurus was no longer considered a distinct genus, but was lumped with Centrosaurus. The Theropod taxonomic revisions seemed to be well explained, but many of the plant-eaters did not include the same sorts of justification comments.

Another thing that would have perhaps made this book more valuable/interesting to a lay person is to have reduced its size a bit to make it more like a field guide for extant species. Something along the size of a Sibley Guide to Birds would have worked. As lay person I would have liked to have been able to carry this into a museum with me and check off the species I've seen on display. As it is now, it's really more of a desk reference than a "field guide".

One last thing that would have made this book more valuable to a lay person is to have included maps with each species (much like a bird field guide)showing where skeletal material has been found on a current map, or where the species were presumed to be located on a map from the time period during which they lived. Paul does include this as text, but I found myself having to refer back to the maps towards the beginning of the book to get an idea of where various species were found.

Overall, this is a great, and affordable, resource that should be included on the bookshelf of every teen to adult dinosaur enthusiast. It makes me hope that Paul decides to update his predatory dinosaur book with the specimens, including many of the ancient birds from China, that have been discovered over the last 20 some odd years since the release of that text.

beautiful on Kindle!, September 22, 2010

I just received my Kindle copy of that rare book that is worth $19.25 on the Kindle platform: the Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs. This amazing book looks fine on my B&W Kindle 2 and spectacular on my Kindle for PC. I only wish I could see it on an iPad! A truly exemplary conversion of a high-production-value book to Kindle.

Dinosaurs fans may also enjoy these Kindle books that I publish:

Professor Barrister's Dino Mysteries# 1: The Case of the Truncated Troodon

Professor Barrister's Dino Mysteries #2: The Case of the Armored Allosaurus

Professor Barrister's Dinosaur Mysteries #3: The Case of the Enormous Eoraptor

... Read more

Editorial Review

There is a sense of mystery that surrounds hummingbirds: Why are they so small? What makes it possible for them to hover? Why are they so colorful? Do they ever rest? This book gives the often amazing answers. The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds takes the reader into the high-energy world of North America's smallest bird. Hearts that beat 500 to more than 1200 times per minute. Wings that buzz at as much as 52 beats per second. And respiration that can clock in at up to 600 breaths per minute. But their energetic lifestyle is only one facet of the secret lives of hummingbirds. Illustrated with twenty-nine full-color photographs, The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds is a treat for birders, naturalists, or anyone else who can't resist the allure of these eye-catching, pugnacious miniature birds. The book also includes a close-up look at the Desert Museum's famous hummingbird aviary as well as tips on how to enjoy and attract wild hummingbirds. It's no wonder that The Secret Lives of Hummingbirds is our most popular publication! ... Read more

Reviews

Wonderful book!!, November 2, 2003
I bought this book for my dad who lives in Tuscon AZ because of all the different species he has there (here in VA we're blessed with the Ruby-throated little sprites but no others). The pictures in this book are worth it alone. They're close-up and amazing! It really does give you a good peek into the lives of hummers. Highly recommend especially as a gift book for an overview of hummers (other books give more in-depth details of their real lives, miration but this gives a great overview)

Wonderful Book that Ends All Too Soon, July 9, 2006
The book is very readable and has lots of interesting information about hummingbirds. Makes me want to visit the museum now for a photo tour. The book is only 22 pages long, however, so be aware of that in ordering.

Great little book, June 11, 2000
I bought this book when I visited the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. It was nice and short to read, with a variety of topics covered. I really enjoyed it, and the pictures were great too.

AMAZING AND TRULY INFORMATIVE BOOK., September 8, 2007
You really cannot go wrong with this one if you have any interest in these wonderful little creatures what-so-ever. I have been watching, photographing, feeding and studying these little birds for years now. It is rather amazing that the author could pack so much information into one small volume and give us some wonderful photographs to boot. We here in Missouri have only the Ruby Throated, but, and I am lucky, I know, we are able to travel to other parts of the country and view other species. No matter how much you know of these birds, you are sure to pick up some new information in this work. As another reviewer pointed out, the photographs are well worth the price of the book. Recommend this one highly.

Great info on hummingbirds, November 14, 2006
I thought I knew a little about hummingbirds, but I found there was a lot I didn't know. This book is full of information on hummingbirds, their traits, their travel and when they sleep, the size of the eggs they lay, etc. A perfect book for anyone who is mesmerized by these beautiful little creatures.

Jewel's Of The Air!!!, January 13, 2004
A fantastic insight into the amazing world of the Hummer! As a Southern California native, we have many species of Hummingbirds and this book gives a great basic overview of the little jewel's of the air!

Secret Lives of Hummingbirds, August 1, 2006
A very nice look at the smallest, but most colorful and energetic, member of the family of birds.

Everything You wanted to Know About Hummingbirds But Were Afraid to Ask !!, October 15, 2007
This is a wonderful Book!! The pictures are fantastic!! Makes a great table book but unlike most table books it's full of everything you need or want to know not just pretty pictures. I "Raise" Hummers in the wild and it has provided me with a wealth of information regarding these truly magnificent creatures. I'm constantly referring to it! I wish it wasn't such a beautiful book! That way I wouldn't worry so much about dog earing it up!!hehe!!

BEAUTIFUL BOOK, August 6, 2008
This book is filled with beautiful colored photos and lots of very interesting information about hummingbirds.

Hummer Reference, June 30, 2008
Another reviewer was right! Small book, LOTS of information that you can USE if you're into attracting hummers...HIGHLY recommend the book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Detailed photographs and illustrations, a simple to follow style and sixteen years of experience teaching thousands of people how to tan, allow Matt Richards to show you exactly what you need to know to successfully turn your deer elk, moose or buffalo skins into the leather preferred by outdoorsmen and native peoples for millennia. You’ll learn the traditional methods of brain tanning as well as how to use a dozen eggs or soap and oil instead. This revised and updated edition includes substantial improvements to the process that make it even easier for you to produce soft and durable buckskin.
What’s New
A new 15 minute step that creates:
• Easier to soften hides
• Hides that come out super soft
• Hides that take the dressing even when dry, which in turn:
• Removes the variability of trying to get the perfect moisture content before dressing
• Makes it much easier to get complete brain penetration on thick hides, which makes tanning thicker hides such as moose, elk or even thick deer, way less work.
• Makes it so you can skip one of the wringing steps (which takes 15 minutes itself).
Other key new highlights include:
• Different skinning cuts for a better hide shape.
• How to tan Moose, Elk & Antelope
• Bibliography (thorough and user-friendly)
• Important improvements to the Bucking process.
• Important improvements to the Dressing step to ensure success for first timers.
• A step-by-step guide to varying this books’ Basic Method if you want to try the ‘pre-smoking’ method, or if you want to tan without the bucking step.

Buckskin is durable, soft, washable and warm. A hand-made garment for people all over the word for millennia, it breathes and stretches with your body, cuts the wind and won’t tear on briars. It is excellent to wear hiking, hunting or around the house. Plus you don’t need to hunt. Deer skins that would otherwise go to waste are available every fall from neighbors, locals and butcher shops. ... Read more

Reviews

He nailed it...., January 13, 2000
This book has many virtues, but the one I was most grateful for is that Matt make it impossible NOT to understand how to wet-scrape braintan. He anticipates the reader's every possible wrong turn. So many skilled craftsmen are tongue-tied. Even if they know what they are doing, they cannot put themselves into the mind of a newcomer to their craft. Matt not only has a rare knack for doing just that, he also knows how to keep the nervous newbie calm. Anyone who follows Matt's directions will have a beautiful piece of buckskin, soft as velvet but tough enough to turn the meanest thorns...

A must-have for anyone interested in the way things were., January 11, 1998
Writing a regular outdoors column for four SC newspapers and having been involved with primitive skills for over ten years, I can honestly say that Mr. Richards' book on hide tanning with the brain-tan method is one of the best I have seen. I first learned to tan hides with this method when I was still in high school and have enjoyed making my own buckskin ever since.

When I got my copy of Deerskins into Buckskins in the mail, my learning started with the picture on the cover and didn't stop until I reached the back cover. Specifically, the front cover photo shows a skin sack smoking, but the hide is hung from the rump not the neck as I had been doing. Mr.Richards goes on to say that this allows the hide to hang with fewer folds and so, prevents streaking from the smoke. He's right!!

Probably the best bit of knowledge I gained from this book is glueing the seam with regular elmer's glue, instead of sewing it shut or using clothespins. The glueing makes a tighter seam, is faster than the other methods, and because it is air-tight, it forces the smoke to penetrate the hide instead of rushing out of the gaps. Due to the pressure, the hide balloons, further reducing any folds or wrinkles in the hide. This is the fastest method I have ever tried.

These two bits of knowledge alone make the book worth the price asked but when you combine it with the author's easy, simple style of writing, you have a true gem. I've read it from cover to cover at least twice and will undoubtedly read it again. Take it from an experienced tanner, you won't be dissappointed.

Very Clear, Very Helpful, April 8, 2003
This book shows, in great detail and easy-to-understand language, the basic steps for natural tanning. Compared to other books I have read, this one really covers all the bases in a clear and concise way. Where other instruction books leave you saying, "Huh?", this one caters to those of us who REALLY have never done this before!

Excellent step-by-step directions. I highly recommend this book.

The Best Book On The Subject, September 5, 2001
I tried for fifteen years to successfully brain tan a deer hide. I read every book I could on the subject. I usually made rawhide chew bones for the dogs.

Since buying "Deerskins into Buckskins" I have successfully tanned about 65 hides,and the dogs haven't had a chew bone.

If you want to be successful at brain tanning, buy Mr. Richards' book and use his simple method. You won't be disappointed.

Best that I have seen on the subject., June 25, 1998
I review many books for one medium or another, centering on rendezvous crafts. This is the best book on the subject, along with clear instructions and well done photographs to highlight one process or another. The only thing that I can write about this title is GET THIS BOOK! Layout is outstanding. I have seen too many books with good information and **horrible** layout. This book represents a perfect combination of outstanding layout and excellent textual presentation. You **will not** get any better.

The one to have if you are only having one, February 15, 1999
This book is truly a must have for the person who wants to learn to make their own high quality buckskin. It will help the seasoned tanner as well as the beginner. buying this book is money well spent.

Deerskins Into Buckskins: How To Tan with Natural Materials, August 9, 2005
This is the most in depth and comprehensive book on the subject of brain tanning that I have purchased. The Author does not hide any of his secrets. I have already done a couple of smaller skins and am satisfied that the methods that Matt Richards teaches are what I was looking for. I am now ready to move on to a deer hide, and I have also purchased two fresh buffalo hides, one to rawhide, and the other for a braintan robe. My freezer is filling up fast. Thank you Matt Richards for putting your knowledge into print.

Great Book, September 3, 2001
This is really an excellent how-to and reference book. It is easy to read and explanations are very clear. Matt writes with an easy sense of humor that draws you into the subject.

Tanning skins is a subject that is treated superficially in a number of books on outdoor and primitive survival, with the result that if you follow the loose instructions you may just end up with stiff, high-protien-cardboard.

Been there and done that.

After following Matt's method I ended up with soft buck skin the very first time with significantly less effort.

Matt's book covers the subject in very good detail, covering the bucking/wetscrape tanning method, theory of how brain tanning works, the tools necessary including primitive tools, and the basics on how to make garnments.

I think that if you are going to try brain tanning deerskin, this book is a must-have.

Simply Put.....The Best Book On the Subject, September 8, 2001
While there are many different ways of making Buckskin the methods described in this book just plain work! Mr. Richards takes you from obtaining hides to how to use them when you have tanned them. Heck you also get online support. Ancient methods backed by contemporary perks.

Excellent book to have when learning to brain tan., September 3, 2001
When I recieved my copy, I did not know anything about brain tanning hides. With this book, I learned how to tan, and successfully completed 15 of 30 hides this past summer (the other 15 were tanned in a different fasion). I am so confident in my abilties to brain tan with this book and personal assistance from all the folks at braintan.com, that I have already placed orders for 80 hides this season, plus panning to pick up additional hides along the way.There are other books and videos available on the market dealing with this, but my personal recomondation for you is to get "Deerskins into Buckskins" to guide the beginner and refresh the advanced tanner in brain tanning deer skins. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Best guide book ever written, July 16, 2006
Of all the travel books I've ever used for sightseeing, this is by far the best of them all. All other travel books, especially the consistently mediocre Frommers and Fodors could learn a lot by Chapple's layout and content. We had several books with us for Yellowstone, but this was the only one we needed - every leg of Yellowstone is clearly laid out with mile markers regardless of which direction you are traveling, which is only one of the things that separates this book from the competition. It also covers surrounding areas (entrance cities) of the park, as well as maps, the animals, geography, geology and history, all in a compact fashion. It is extremely thorough and well written. Buy this book for your Yellowstone trip - you won't regret it.

Useful and Handsome Guide to Yellowstone Park, February 5, 2002
This is a handy and detailed guide to Yellowstone with descriptions of the Park's features arranged by the five main roadway entrances: West, South, East, Northeast, and North, plus the Bechler Region.

For each approach there is a full color map with icons symbolizing the main attractions, facilities, trails and so forth. The guide then takes you mile by fraction of mile with a description of the historical, geological and natural features you will encounter. There is also a historical chronology, a discussion of the wildlife, an chapter on the 1998 fires, and a lot of useful travel phone numbers and tips.

The inset maps, pictures, and sidebar stories are wonderfully presented-- when you look at this book you will be drooling to visit the Park! It is beautiful, and the solid fund of information makes it a good buy at only twenty bucks. The geologic explanations are particularly neat.

This is a guide that will suit educated visitors (and daydream wanderers) who have want to know the story behind the major and minor sights. You may need a more tourist oriented guide if you want detailed info on in-park and near-park lodgings and places to eat. Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park by Lee H. Whittlesey would make a fine counterpart to Yellowstone Treasures.

extremely comprehensive guide through the park, January 9, 2005
This book will take you through the park and list each (hundreds of) potentially interesting items with a clear description of where they are found. I would recommend reading this book prior to visiting Yellowstone and highlighting those items that you would like to see. Then having your passenger follow along with the book as you drive, alerting you when you approach one of the items that you have highlighted.

A beautiful guidebook, July 8, 2002
"Yellowstone Treasures: The Traveler's Companion to the National Park" by Janet Chapple is a magnificent catalogued resource to the full enjoyment of a huge national park and area known as Yellowstone. The author has extensive knowledge and experience in exploring the beauties of the area. She says, "I hiked on all the trails I recommend, some of them several times... they are ways to get away from crowds and enjoy the Yellowstone that not everyone sees." Also contributing to the geological history chapter as well as the many informative geological sidebars of "Yellowstone Treasures" is Bruno Giletti, Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences at Brown University, and also Chapple's spouse. "Yellowstone Treasures" is divided into road logs and destinations by six sections: the Northwest Section (containing the famous geyser Old Faithful), the Bechler region, the Southern Section, the Eastern Section, the Northeastern Section, and the Northern Section. Each chapter has large and clearly illustrated colored maps, as well as copious color photographs of stunning sites. In addition there follows follow chapters on Natural and Human History in Yellowstone, with a Chronology of Yellowstone since 1800, and Living Things: a Yellowstone Sampler. Chapple helps the reader contemplate the enormous task of navigating the logistics of the park, a staggeringly huge area, by recommending 58 short walks, listing facilities in Yellowstone, campgrounds, and recommended Yellowstone books and maps.

Altogether, Yellowstone Treasures fills an ongoing need for new generations of park explorers and appreciators. She has spent much of her life becoming better acquainted with the riches of the area and she is generously sharing her knowledge with this beautiful guidebook. It is not to be missed.

Nancy Lorraine
Reviewer

Exceptional Yellowstone guide, October 3, 2003
Yellowstone Treasures, by Janet Chapple, is the key to appreciating this beautiful park. Because the book is organized into Road Logs, wherever you are you read about what's coming up next: geological phenomena, animals, trees, flowers, trail heads, lakes and human history are all included. The maps are clear, plentiful, accurate and useful. Each section is amply expanded with information boxes about things such as how geysers work, how terraces are built, how the names of places were chosen, petrified trees, geological mysteries, etc. The chapters on geological phenomena, human history, flora and fauna are a gold mine of information. Take the book with you, but look at the website http://www.yellowstonetreasures.com/ well beforehand, because it is also a treasure. We were never without this book during our visit.

Fabulous guide to Yellowstone, June 30, 2003
I just took this book to Yellowstone and found it indispensible! We quickly gave up using the official park guides to the various geyser basins and relied on this book to tell us all about the different geysers and their histories. The book is packed with information about the history of Yellowstone. It even has a flora and fauna guide! Included are lists of suggested sights to see, hikes to take, driving distances, road maps (but no topo maps), discussions about how geysers work, the Yellowstone caldera, the 1988 fires, where to stay, etc. The book is printed on nice paper and the photos are in full color. This is really an indispensible book to bring along on your next visit to Yellowstone!

The essential guide to Yellowstone. Don't go without a copy!, June 28, 2009
In its third edition, Yellowstone Treasures is a comprehensive guide to Yellowstone National Park, written by Janet Chapple. Janet's father worked in Old Faithful Inn for four summers, giving his daughter a lifelong love of the park.

That love has translated into this guidebook.

I purchased the book in anticipation of a trip to Yellowstone, and on our recent trip to the west, my friends and I quickly discovered this book was illuminating, enlightening, and above all, essential to our travels.

My friend's daughter needed a bathroom, and quickly? Janet's system of describing everything along the roads of the park, down to mileposts, allowed me to easily tell them exactly where we were, and exactly how far it was to the nearest toilet. What's the name of that mountain? A quick look at the mileposts, drawing and maps almost always told us the answer.

In addition to the comprehensive and painstaking detail on the sights at each mile of the road, Janet provides opinions on the best things to see, cross references things by subjects, and provides a lot of the background on the park in asides in the book.

I found myself, as we were traveling along, reading aloud on subjects that Janet mentions. Where did the Firehole River get its name? Just who was Norris that Norris Geyser Basin is named for? Which of the sights in Mammoth are worth stopping to take a look at?

I had purchased an additional guide to Yellowstone, but everything my traveling companions and I could want to know or need to know about the area within Yellowstone was within the nearly 400 pages of this book. The next time my friends and I go back to the park, we certainly will be making use of Ms. Chapple's work.

If you are planning to visit Yellowstone National Park, I strongly advise you to get a copy of this book beforehand yourself and keep it on hand as you traverse the park. You will be extremely glad that you did.

This is the way to write a travel book on a National Park.

Highly Recommended.

Outstanding in depth reference, May 14, 2007
We used this book in combination with a quick road guide (the National Geographic Road Guide) for a full-featured tour of Yellowstone National Park. This book is FULL of easy-to-read and detailed tidbits about every feature of the Park you'd want to know about. It includes things about geothermal features, wildlife, history, fires, hiking trails, and so much more!
It was fun to come across something in the Park, flip open this book, and be able to read more about what we were seeing. Very interesting and educational! We bought other guides, but THIS IS THE ONE WE USED.

The only guide you need, September 27, 2006
We recently returned from our first trip to YNP and this book not only helped in the planning process but was also a wonderful companion during our time in the park.

The road logs and maps are terrific. You don't just get a map of the whole park, you get maps of every leg of the roads that take you through the park as well as maps of the major stops like the Old Faithful area, all the geyser basins, Mammoth Hot Springs, etc. detailing each spring, pool, and geyser you will see on your walks. The road logs take you point by point through the park pointing out various sights of interest so you don't miss a thing.

The author also includes bits of history and science so you can learn more about the park and the features as you go. She highlights some of the not to be missed features and has a couple pages listing the shorter hikes/walks in the park which is helpful if your time in the park is limited.

Yellowstone is a very large park with more things to see than you could possibly fit into one visit, no matter how long it is. It's important to plan your trip before you go, have an idea of what you are interested in seeing so you can focus your time appropriately. Whether you are interested in seeing the geysers and thermal features, wildlife, short hikes or long hikes, this book will help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

million dollar book on a blue collar budget, October 26, 2009
This book is fabulous. I've traveled to Yellowstone twice and just bought this book after returning home. I bought it because it was sugessted on a travel web site, and I have enjoyed reading it almost daily. I am currently using it as a nice review of places I have been and as a resource to plan a trip for 2010. It has everything:history,geology, maps, an endless array of photos,travel suggestions, brief narratives of the geysers and hot springs, and even information about the wildlife you are sure to see in the area. I especially like the the way the book is broken down into regional areas with small maps and descriptions of individual places. I took 2 books with me on my last trip which lacked alot of useful information which this book includes. Next year, this will be the only book I plan to take on my trip back to Yellowstone. For the price you pay, this book is priceless. Kudos to the author, Janet Chapple, for writing such an informative travel book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

For Beginners only, November 10, 2008
This book was for the most beginning of beginners. They say to stay away from any gilled mushrooms (I love gilled mushrooms). My other criticism is that the book doesn't mention morel mushrooms which are not a gilled mushroom and in my top 10 of all the most delicious of the fungi and not that difficult to id.

Nothing Else Quite Like It, January 2, 2010
This book has some shortcomings. It doesn't cover many varieties of mushrooms, and it is ultra-conservative in the rules for collection. Still, for the beginner who wants to get out there and start hunting, this is the best book to start with.

Mushrooms Covered:

Cep or King Bolete
Red Cracked Bolete
Hen of the Woods
Larch Bolete
Bay Bolete
Birch Bolete
Chanterelle
Trumpet (Winter) Chanterelle
Hedgehog
Common Puffballs
Horn of Plenty
Cauliflower

Yep, that is the whole list. The good news is that these are all fairly common mushrooms, and some of the notes on each are really illuminating. For example there are tons of Boletes in the Pacific Northwest where I do my hunting, and telling them apart can be a real head scratcher. The photos and description of the white network on the stem of the King is very clear and makes identification almost foolproof.

Also, the section about ridges vs gills was helpful. Chanterelles have ridges and not gills, and since most hunters would love to bag some Chanterelles, this clear distinction is really helpful. The first time I was out with a guide we were looking for Chanterelles and I was told to look for ridges rather than gills. It sounds like a no-brainer when you say it, but in the field, when you are first starting out, it can actually get confusing. The three pages in this book that explain ridges are succinct and clear and about all you need to understand the distinction.

Maybe Alexander Schwab would consider doing a Mushrooming Without Fear 2 that would cover the same number of mushrooms this book does, but taking on some more challenging ones. My request would be for fairy Ring Mushrooms, Pine Mushrooms (White Matsutake), Aspen Bolete, Shaggy Mane, Oyster, and the Blewit.

NO FEARS, March 14, 2009
I never write reviews although I have several books on mushrooming including a couple by Micheal Kuo which I also like very well.But I've decided that this book warrants my praise . It's a great little book with great color pictures and checklist guides for picking about 12 of the most popular varieties with the exception of Morels .
This book has taken away my fears about mushrooming and has even encouraged me and made me anxious to get started .
If after reading and following the guides in the book to the letter you happen to pick a poisonous variety,then you probably aren't following instructions.
I feel this book is almost a foolproof in it's simplicity you'll not be burdened with a lot of scientific jargain .
If you were ever curious about picking wild mushrooms but were afraid then BUY THIS BOOK

Misleading editorial review, October 16, 2009
There are, indeed, hundreds of color pictures in this book (a must for field guides, in my opinion), and great step-by-step instructions. However, do not be misled... this is strongly oriented toward helping mushrooming beginners to get started. Only twelve (not 700+) types of mushrooms are identified, and while it seems to be a good selection I found myself wanting to be able to identify other mushrooms I've found, good or bad.

With all the pictures, this book is an easy read. I finished it in about an hour. The pictures and checklists are well organized.

In summary, I love the book and recommend it as a beginning mushrooming guide -- with caveats. It does a great (maybe overzealous) job of eliminating riskier candidates. However, even with the small number of mushrooms covered, it may be slightly oversimplified in spots. It would be discouraging to start into this hobby and not be able to find any of these twelve varieties, yet pass by other excellent candidates. Then again, you have to start somewhere...

Easy to do mushrooming, October 28, 2009
Of the three mushroom reference books I purchased, I feel this one is the very best to help a person get started in the field. It is easy to read, has repeated warnings about what to harvest and what NOT to harvest, has pictures and is an all-around easy to use guide. I think every beginner should purchase this book. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Perfect for beginners looking for edibles, June 8, 2009
This book has clear guidelines and excellent photographs. No nonsense and easy to follow. As novice mushroom seekers who really just want to find snacks, this is a solid book to start with. No morels included - but they're easy to ID. Only wish would be a smaller size to stuff in a backpack. Worthy purchase!

excellent book, November 1, 2009
This book is great for beginners just starting out on their journey of being a mushroom hunter. I ordered this book and found it to be very helpful in identifying edible plants. Would recommend this book to anyone serious about mushrooming.

Not very impressed, November 24, 2010
I was looking for a beginning book, but this was way too basic. I expected that it would still cover the full spectrum of mushrooms, while breaking it down more for the beginner. This book looked like something a person could sit through a mushrooming seminar for the first time and write himself. Not Impressed. When I first saw the rules for mushrooming, I thought, "this is going to be a well written book." Then I turned to the next few pages and noticed that it just restated the rules again and again to show pictures that describe them. The pictures are great for the limited mushrooms covered, but the material offered in this book could pretty much be summed up on a few sheets of paper. Not worth the money.

Every beginner should have this, October 3, 2010
If you are interested in mushrooming, and have no prior experience, this is where you should start. The book has excellent color photographs, a very straightforward identification system, and limits your exploration to only the safest, most identifiable families. Some will give it a lower rating because it is not comprehensive. But that is entirely the point. This guide will get you comfortable with the traits and identifying features of a range of mushroom types. You may not actually find any of the exact mushroom species in the book during your early forays, since there are only a couple dozen documented of the thousands of species to be found. But you will gain experience and confidence in examining mushroom traits, that you can then expand on with a more complete field guide.

No longer fearful, October 8, 2010
I'm new to mushrooming and this book helped me to be confident that I can do it! It is a very easy read. The directions are very clear. The pictures leave little doubt that you know what you are looking for in the wild. I'm excited to start finding some food. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A vast improvement over 3rd edition!, November 2, 2006
As someone majoring in Wildlife Science, I needed to have a field guide for my studies. I bought the previous edition about 3 yrs ago, but found it lacking. For example, it showed the historic range of raccoons, but not the current (expanded) range. It also used older genera (plural for genus) names & had very few bat species depicted. These & other factors made it impractical for me to use the book in my studies.

However, this new edition appears to be much more applicable for someone like me. It has color maps (the 3rd edition's maps were black & white) which are included in the species accounts (rather than at the end). Introduced species & their populations are shown in blue; historic ranges are shown using dashed lines; & sea mammals' ranges are included (no ranges were given for them in the 3rd ed.). Select maps are even shown with county lines drawn in in large states like CA & TX so residents can easily determine whether a species is in their county or not.

The color plates are better too. Animals are depicted in more natural body positions & appear more lifelike. There are many many more bat species depicted than in the 3rd ed. Sea mammals are included in the color plates; in the third edition, they were only depicted in black & white drawings. Introduced species (like the Blackbuck) are also depicted in this section. Select black & white animal tracks are included in the color plate section, rather than on the inside cover.

Skull identification is very important to biologists, since skulls are often all you'll find of an animal. This book has color photos of various skulls. The 3rd ed. had only black & white photos, which wasn't so bad, but I like the color photos better. Also, the dental formulae are given in this section for the respective genera. I will say, however, that I did like the dental formulae chart in the 3rd ed. because it summarized them all in 1 place, rather than spreading them out over several pages.

Immediately following these plates is a section of illustrated shrew teeth & molars of sm mammals. On the page just before the Species Accounts section is a depiction of pocket gophers with grooves on their incisors, a feature often used to distinguish between them.

Although most color photos are found in the skull section, there are more throughout the species accounts.

Species' names have been updated too. In the 3rd ed, the author chose to stick w/ some of the older names. In this edition, the accepted names (like Spermophilus) are used & even Bison bison was updated to Bos bison.

In the species accounts, common names other than the one Reid used are written in sm uppercase letters below the line w/ the common & scientific names. For example:
COYPU Myocastor coypus (introduced)
NUTRIA

The species accounts describe the animal, sounds it makes, similar species, habits, habitat, range, & even its status (whether it's common or endangered, & which organization lists them as such, such as the USFWS & the CITES appendix #). The previous edition included eyeshine colors (which are included in some entries in this new edition), number of mammae, & economic impacts, but for the most part these features were left out of this edition. However, I doubt many people will miss them.

I think this edition is excellent. I only had my book for a day & yet I found all the improvements mentioned above. I recommend putting a self-adhesive plastic book cover on your book because the plasticized coating wears a bit quickly. (Note: I've had my book just over a year now and am slightly editing my comments to fix minor typos & improve the flow a bit :})

The Best Holiday Present in Thirty Years, December 4, 2006
Fiona Reid has created a tour-de-force in The new Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America, the first update of the Peterson series on mammals in thirty years. This is the best Peterson Field guide ever, the ideal gift or stocking stuffer and a must have for anyone who loves environment, natural history, the outdoors and wildlife, from your budding naturalist eight-year old to your birder grandmother in Wisconsin.

The new guide combines all the best features of recent ground-breaking field guides in a completely new book. It is both encyclopeadic and accessible, beautiful to hold in the hand and, as has always been the case with the Peterson series, the perfect size to take to the field. It will also look very good on your window sill and be handy next time that bear or ermine comes to the feeder.

A revision was of Peterson's Mammal Guide was long overdue and Fiona Reid has gone about it masterfully. In comparing the new and the old guide, one need only look at the new paintings to realize how much we needed this brand new treatment of North American mammals and to see how beautiful a book this is. Our knowledge has advanced tremendously, even for better known groups such as the carnivores; but it is when you spend some time with groups such as the bats and the chipmunks that you begin to realize just how far we have come since the last edition in our understanding of the mammalian diversity we see around us. Brilliant author-biologist-artist Fiona Reid has captured the traditional basics of a field guide with astounding plates and just the right amount of detail on ranges, biology, morphology, and even environmental threats.

This is the new gold-standard of field guides.

Top notch mammal guide, January 21, 2007
This new guide is hands down the best mammal guide for North America currently available. An impressive volume and effort by the author. The artwork is superb, the photography crisp, and the phylogeny and other science accurate and up to date.

Great Guide, May 15, 2007
A thorough guide to North American animals. Lot's of color plates and informative. It even covers animals in their stages like a fox in winter and midsummer and how their coats change color.

To put it simply you won't be disappointed.

Peterson field guides are the BEST!, July 4, 2009
I own 4 Peterson Field Guides: edible wild plants, insects, reptile and amphibians, and mammals.
I am a student at U of M in Dearborn, MI and 2 of these books were required in a field biology class. They are easy to use, offer complete species information, and are a sturdy well bound book.

Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America: Fourth Edition, March 22, 2009
Good book, there are some north american species maybe overpass because live in North Mexico includieng Baja which should begin in the guide, otherwise the propper name should be USA & Canada mammals guide. The carrier left the book on the rain, not destroyed at all.

Excellent and thorough, but not as natural to use as Kaufmann, February 5, 2010
I returned the Peterson Guide to Mammals and bought the Kaufmann Mammals Guide. The Peterson Guide is excellent and thorough, but the arrangement is not as easy to use as the Kaufmann Guide to Mammals. For my purpose as a quick reference guide in the field, my wife and I prefer the Kaufmann guide with its excellent photos and natural indexing.Kaufman Field Guide to Mammals of North America

Comprehensive & Very Useful, December 30, 2009
This Peterson Guide offers a very well-rounded selection of animals at a great price. You won't find a plate of every little-known vole species in existence, but you'll find more than you've likely ever heard of. An especially useful addition to this field guide is the extensive series of skull plates. No field guide on mammals is required to have a section dedicated to osteology, but this Peterson Guide goes above and beyond the call of duty in this respect.

Inevitably, you'll find an animal here or there that is placed under a genus or species that has since been revised by the scientific community. Knowledge concerning mammalian taxonomy is simply increasing faster than revised editions can be printed, so this doesn't really represent a 'weakness' in the Peterson Guide.

Best Field Guides Around, September 16, 2009
This is my second Perterson's Field Guide and I love them. So far I have found that these are the best field guides around. They are put together nicely, its easy to find what your looking for. They have drawings, actual photos and good write ups. Highly recommend any of the Peterson's guides.

Great gift, June 12, 2009
Bought this for my non-fiction 10 year old nature enthusiast. I'll find him with it just looking things up and when he finds something cool you can see him brighten with the new knowledge. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Guide to identifying native (and some widely introduced) trees of U.S. and Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. Organized as a dichotomous key, the book leads the user through a series of simple questions about the shape or appearance of different parts of a tree. Includes 161 species. Illustrated with line drawings. The small (6" by 4") format fits in pocket or pack to take along on a hike. ... Read more

Reviews

The title says it all, June 21, 2002
I took a class about tree identification several years ago at Morton's Arboretum near Chicago and this book was used as part of the class. I really love this little book. I have several of the fancier (and more expensive) books with color plates and photos, but for identifying trees this one is the best. Based on the tree's leaves it very clearly walks you through the identifation process step by step.

If you want to read more about the tree once you have identified it, the other guides are great. But for purposes of tree identification, this is the best I have seen.

Identifying trees by leaves, June 5, 2002
This is about the best I've seen. It is compact for carrying with you and easy to use. It is a logical key that you can follow from the tree down to its identification by its leaves. It covers the eastern US so there is not a lot of extraneous material to wade through. I have been looking for exactly this kind of book since I started being interested in trees.I recommend it very highly especially to the beginner.

A GREAT LITTLE BOOK, October 21, 1999
A great little book to take along on a walk in the woods. The easy step-by-step key really helps you identify trees, and it's fun to use.

Easy to use, October 6, 2002
This is the easiest tree finder book out there. Not only are the pictures very clear, but the questions that allow you to narrow down the tree type are very clear. This book is also small, so it's easy to bring with you when hiking so you can just whip it out when you see an interesting tree. This is the book that led to my profound curiosity and love of trees. Too bad I lent my copy to someone who took it back with her to Korea!

Terrific Little Book, August 17, 2007
I too took a tree identification class at a state park some years ago and this was the official guide book. It's easy to use, laid out well and has many varieties of trees in it. With practice, you can get to the point where you know what they look like by sight without having to resort to the book.

If you're a novice, get this book. It's inexpensive and offers you a great deal!

Great book for child learning to identify by leaves, April 6, 2004
My 7 yr old loves to look through this book while we go on nature hikes...yes in NJ! As a prior reviewer stated there are no illustrations of the whole tree - just the leaves. For my child's age and curiosity it works very well.

The best pocket field guide for trees available, May 10, 2000
I have a "Master Tree Finder" booklet copyrighted in 1963 that I use to teach Boy Scouts how to identify trees. It was passed down to me from my mom. I was delighted to hear that the bok is still available and that there are other titles in the series. The dichotomus key is the most effective tool for making identifications. I also believe in teaching the boys how to use the book (and other guides) to identify plants and animals instead of just memorizing from rote. The names of those trees will eventualy fade. But the skills to identify a tree with a good guide will last a lifetime.

Tree Finder - it does just that!, August 30, 2000
I have successfully used the Tree Finder with students as young as 3rd grade (with some help). My 6th grade classes and high school classes were able to use it independently. Its' simple, straightforward approach is a fantastic introduction to using a key. The diagrams are a big help for the student unfamiliar with the vocabulary. The only weakness is that it doesn't cover some cultivated varieties, ie. thornless, so some coaching is necessary when using in a typical park or residential setting.

Tree Finder is the Best, November 9, 2006
I use this book to teach trees to people of all ages. I carry it with me on all camping trips plus a copy in my truck. The best part about it is to find a specific tree, say one of 6 different type of maples within just a couple pages. It helps teach the basics of how they classify the trees, also. Great book.

Easy to use field guide, May 13, 2002
I'm a novice when it comes to identifying trees. This booklet is easy to use and follows some very logical steps to make an identification. ... Read more

Editorial Review

825 classic marine life photographs of 600 common and rare reef fish species. The easy-to-use, quick reference format makes it a snap to identify the myriad of fishes in Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas waters. A must for every serious diver. 6 inch x 9 inch, cloth stitched flexibinding that allows the book to lie flat. ... Read more

Reviews

The Best Available, April 21, 2002
This is the authoritative reference for reef fish throughout the Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas area. The most complete book on reef fish that I have seen, it is easy to use and beautifully illustrated. Each fish has it's own full color picture along with a line drawing that points out the defining characteristics of that particular species. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book.

Each entry has complete information on the fish from size, depth, range and habitat to the level of concern that a diver should have for their safety around the fish. Whether you snorkel, scuba dive or engage in other activities around a reef, this is the best book to have to identify the fish. This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Coral Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Fish Identification book.

Amazingly Comprehensive, February 18, 2002
If you are interested in identifying Caribbean reef fish, this is the best guide available. I am a professional marine biologist and have extensive diving experience on reefs in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I can honestly say that after 300+ underwater hours in these locations, I have never come across a bony fish that was not included in the guide. This fact was humorously brought home to me when I was in graduate school. My graduate advisor (a very experienced marine biologist with 20+ years of tropical diving experience) once thought that he had discovered a new species of fish. He was very excited and told all of us students to watch his fish and make sure "nothing happened" it. Needless to say, he was somewhat embarrassed when a 2 min investigation into the guide revealed that the fish was simply a wrasse blenny.

The guide is well organized, informative, and easy to understand. Although some scientific terms are included, the text is generally designed for non-specialists. That said, however, the information is so well presented and comprehensive that every specialist I know makes extensive use of this guide. Additionally, the illustrations are remarkable. Each species is represented by one or several beautiful color photographs as well as a simplified line drawing with the important identification features indicated. Overall, I can recommend this guide to anyone interested in Caribbean Fishes and/or Marine Biology. The guide would make a particularly nice gift for someone with a marine interest. Also see the companion volume "Reef Fish Behavior: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas;" an equally excellent book, that adds the ecological dimension to reef fish identification.

The definitive guide for reef fish of the Caribbean, June 8, 1999
I visit family in St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) yearly, and I have looked at a number of books in order to learn the names of the numerous fish I see when I'm snorkeling or diving. This one makes identification easy, with beautiful pictures and the all-important "Distinctive Features" sections, which give you tips on how to distinguish one fish from the next. Make no mistake: this book is the easiest to use and the most comprehensive one I've seen. I'm online to buy the other two books (Reef Coral and Reef Creatures).

The Best Fish Identification Guide Available!, September 29, 2001
When I first received this book as a christmas gift from my mother,I was shocked. It was spiral bound,but twice the size of a norma fish identification guide. At 424 pages & 670 photos,it is rather spectacular. Although I have only seen it in pictures,the west atlantic is my favourite underwater landscape,and therefore,it was a great honour to own this book.
The book begins with an introduction to fishes in the caribbean and the ecology of the reefs. A massive ID book is needed to identify fishes on the world`s second largest reef area.
Different from most other fish ID books,it is a rather special one that is dividing the fish into groups based on look rather than relationship. I`ll go through these groups one by one in this review.
ID group 1 is Disks/Oval,featuring some of my favourite fish,making a perfect beginning of the book.
Butterflyfish,angelfish,and surgeonfish can be found here.
Every description includes a short description of colors and gender differences,if any,distribution,family,size,depht and reaction to divers,and natural habitat.
The photographs are accompanied by b/w drawings of the silhouettes.
The second one is a rather large chapter,covering the silvery,stream-lined ocean hunters like barracudas,porgies,mojarras,dolphins,mullets,and the large predator cobia. Not very colorfull,but still majestic.
The 3rd chapter includes Sloping Head/Tapered body,with snappers and grunts as the main families.The grunts can be rather varied.
The 4th one includes Small Ovals,where the damselfish and chromis can be found. There are no anemonefish in the caribbean,but these are closely related to those. Also included here are the hamlets,which are all subspecies of one species.
These are very colorfull and cute little critters. The next chapter is Heavy Body/Large Lips,including the largest bony fishes here - groupers,of which the jewfish can weigh 900 pounds!
These are clumsy,but still charmy fishes. Except 30 species of those,the little fairy basslet,the most beautifull fish of the caribbean,is included here too,yellow and purple.
Swim with Pectoral Fins,which is ID group 6,includes the varied family of parrotfishes and wrasses,which are very colourfull. The Hogfish can also be found here,the character of the caribbean. ID group 7 introduces Reddish/Big Eyes,with the big-eyed squirrelfishes and the small,but beautifull cardinalfish.
ID group 8 treats the Small,Elongated Bottom-Dwellers,whose beauty is often underestimated,especially the cute gobies. The sailfin blenny is one of my favourites. Here,we can also find the yellowhead jawfish,which is a famous fish here too. Odd-Shaped Bottom Dwellers includes the toadfish and the funny-looking flounders & batfishes,who walks on their fins!I am very fascinated by the looks of the strange frogfishes. Odd-Shaped Swimmers (chapter 10) includes the pufferfish,which can fill themselves with air,and the funny-looking trumpetfish. Also found here are the boxfishes,who are covered with armor,except for their fins,eyes and mouth. They can have very beautifull colors. The triggerfish can be found too. They are colorfull,although agressive inhabitants of the coral reefs. So are their close relatives,the filefishes.
And finally,the cutest fish in the Caribbean,can also be found here. It is the little yellow porcupinefish,less than an inch in size. The famous jack-knife is also found in this chapter. It looks like a cross between a scalare and a chromis!
It is believed to be the juvenile form of the web burrfish.
The 11th chapter is the Eel Deal of the book. Here comes the snake eels,beautifull but mysterious bottom dwellers. And last,but not least,the venomous moray eels also lurks in this chapter. The 8-foot green moray is the most famous,while the most scary one is the viper moray with huge teeth!I love moray eels,so this is a paradise for me!
The final chapter "Sharks & Rays" deals with the ultimate UW predators. But not all sharks a fierce. In fact,the whale shark is one of the friendliest fishes in the world,reaching a size of 60 feet and harmless to everything but plancton!The nurse shark is also a character of the Caribbean. Other ones included here are the manta ray,lemon shark,mako shark (the fastest fish in the world)and the dangerous tiger & bull sharks.
This is a chapter I would have liked to expand a bit,but as many sharks are not reef dwellers,I understand why they did not included the great white and/or the Megamouth.
Over all,now I have gone through all chapters fastly,but you have to see this book to really enjoy it. When I go to the Caribbean or Florida,I will bring this book and see how many fish I can identify.
So go get it!

Excelling book for identifying all types of tropical fish, July 18, 2003
After we came back from our honeymoon, I wanted to buy my husband a book to help identify the various fish we encountered on our trip, and this book turned out to be perfect. First of all, the fish are broken down into various classifications, and each category is clearly labelled. There are wonderfully clear, glossy pictures of each individual fish combined with a detailed description which includes information such as size, colors, appearance of immature, habitat, and reaction to divers. An ideal book for serious research or just for fun.

CD version does not match quality of printed book, January 20, 2005
Last fall I spent a week diving in Bonaire, and on my return saw the hard-copy version of "Reef Fish Identification (Florida Caribbean Bahamas) at my dive shop. I was very impressed with the large numbers of crisp and beautiful pictures, the authoritative description, but most importantly, the depiction for each animal of differences in appearance during each phase of life. I recently purchased the CD version (based largely on the reviews) and began using it today. I was disappointed to discover that it is clearly targeted at Windows 3.x machines: old-style forms and layouts, 8.3 naming conventions in directories (i.e., "Program Files" becomes "PROGRA~"). Most disappointing, however, was the grainy quality of every single fish image on the CD, despite my running it on a high-end graphics workstation. The only positive reason I can offer for purchasing the CD version is the Fish Finder, which offers the ability to search for creatures based on selecting from about eight characteristics.

The FINEST identification book out there!, December 5, 2001
This is a fantastic book, and along with the other two books by this author you should be able to ID any marine creature you encounter!

The book lists virtually all types of fish, including angels, tangs, butterfly, damsels, clowns, and more!

Each entry has an excellent picture, the name, family, size, depth, and other information.

The pictures alone are worth the cost of the book!

This is definitely the book you want to have with you when you dive or snorkel. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed!

When you want to know what you've been watching (or what was watching you)!, December 26, 2007
This is a reef fish identification book. This sounds obvious, but that really is the focus here. It's not a book to teach you about fish behavior, biogeography, community ecology, or population trends. Author, diver, captain, photographer, and attorney (!) Paul Humann took most of the 670 photographs in this book, a real accomplishment for any diver, since the result of a blurred or indistinct photograph of a fish is to... go get another.

The organization of this ID book is by fish shape. He's got 12 "identification groups":

- disks and ovals (colorful)
- silvery
- sloping head and tapered body
- small ovals
- heavy body and large lips
- swim with pectoral fins, and with obvious scales
- reddish and big eyes
- small, elongated bottom-dwellers
- old-shaped bottom dwellers
- odd-shaped swimmers
- eels
- sharks and rays

Any fish watcher would see the "logic" of this organization, although it could make some ichthyologists squirm with these sets of artificial groupings.

The book is spiral-bound so that the pages, when opened, stay open. And the clay content in the paper makes it more resistant to water dripping from your wetsuit or your hair. Just make sure you wipe it off, pronto.

Now the photos... They are very high quality, and Humann is to be commended for taking, or selecting from other photographers, pictures that really pull out the details of the various fish . For example, the Sergeant Major has the delicate yellow along the base of its dorsal fin, and those frogfish must be viewed in both a camouflaged condition and in a setting where they are contrasted with the background.

Any amateur photographer will soon discover the difficulty in getting a full, close-up and lateral view of a fish. They tend to swim away from you as you get close, giving you a great view of the tail sweeping away. These photos are the result of a truly amazing amount of patience.

In an appendix, he throws in some sea turtles and dolphins or good measure, as well as a checklist for keeping track of the reader's sightings.

My ocean diving has all been in the Pacific, and it was interesting seeing species related to my own "friends." If I get the opportunity to dive in Florida, the Caribbean, or the Bahamas, this will be the book I throw in my dive bag... in a zip-lock bag, of course.

A must have reference if you dive/snorkel or take u/w photos, October 29, 1998
This is the first book I purchased after getting certified (I now have the whole series...Fish ID, Coral ID, Creature ID!). Enables you not only to identify the fish you see, but to find the ones that camoflauge themselves! Also very informative regarding fish behavior and filled with excellent photos. Highly recommend!!

A must have for any diver visiting the Bahamas, May 25, 1999
As a SCUBA INSTRUCTOR this book is the best I've seen for fish identification. It gives many pointers on how to distinguish between fish. If your looking for a book to take on a trip make no mistake this is your best choice. ... Read more

Editorial Review

"Very funny and moving...The glimpses of rare fauna seem to have enlarged [Adams'] thinking, enlivened his world; and so might the animals do for us all, if we were to help them live."
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
Join bestselling author Douglas Adams and zooligist Mark Carwardine as they take off around the world in search of exotic, endangered creatures. Hilarious and poignant--as only Douglas Adams can be--LAST CHANCE TO SEE is an entertaining and arresting odyssey through the Earth's magnificent wildlife galaxy.
... Read more

Editorial Review

There is no group of birds more mysterious and fascinating than owls. The loudmouths of the raptor world, they peep, trill, toot, bark, growl, shriek, whistle, chittle, whoop, chuckle, boom, and buzz. Indeed, very few actually "hoot." They have become the stuff of lore and legend -- from the Roman myth that an owl foot could reveal secrets to the First Nations belief that an owl feather could give a newborn better night vision. But the truth about owls is much more exciting.

In this gorgeous book, celebrated natural history writer and wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch reveals the secrets of this elusive species with stunning photographs, personal anecdotes, and accessible science. The photos alone are masterpieces. Unlike most published owl photos, which are portraits of birds in captivity, the vast majority of these were taken in the wild -- a product of the author-photographer's incredible knowledge and patience.

Lynch complements the photos with a wealth of facts about anatomy, habitat, diet, and family life. For each of the nineteen species that inhabit Canada and the United States, he provides a range map and a brief discussion of its distribution, population size, and status. Lynch debunks myths about owls' "supernatural" powers of sight and hearing, discusses courtship rituals, and offers personal tips for finding owls in the wild.

From the great horned to the tiny elf owl, this amazing volume captures the beauty and mystery of these charismatic birds of prey.

Reviews

Owls of the US and Canada, December 23, 2007
A wonderful book. The large format and abundant photography at first suggest a coffee table book, but Lynch's contribution is much more than that. The writing is intellectually luminous, displaying a good mind and careful researching. Though the author is very up to date on current research in the field, the scholarship is unobtrusive - the text is free of footnotes and citations though these can be found at the end of the book.
The photography is in a league of its own. Lynch is a well-known wildlife photographer, and these photos show just why. The artistry and a technical excellence are breathtaking. For instance, the whiskered screech-owl on p. 16 is composed the way a painter would compose, but the photo still brings out the individual feathers, the half-closed eyes, the long beak hidden behind the whiskers. These birds are so closely observed they show more than I can see with my binoculars in a woodland walk. And add to this the field knowledge: owls are not sparrows or seagulls that one can see anywhere. To capture them on film, the photographer must spend hours in a blind, and travel to places far off the interstate. This book is one that will stay in the mind after it has been read.

A Great Guide To Owls, December 6, 2007
This book combines the personal experiences of the author with detailed information about the owls that live in the United States and Canada. The background information given in this book can be applied to more than one species of owls, and in some cases, it could be applied more generally to birds of prey. There are comparisons between humans and owls to give the reader a better image of what the author is describing. When there is a piece of general information given, the author gives examples of which owls that piece of information might be applied. The book is filled with wonderful photos, and includes a guide of owls that is located between the first two chapters.

This is one of the best books about owls that I have read.

Owls of the US and Canada, January 8, 2008
This is another wonderful book by a real naturalist and consumate photographer. The images are just stunning photographically and from a naturalist's standpoint. Dr Lynch writes in a conversational tone that makes reading a pleasure, it's more like a conversation with him than anything else.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in either nature photography or birds, but especially if you like both.

Chase Hunter

Best book on North American book, March 3, 2008
I have studied owls for years and this one is the finest book I have read on the subject, Not only are the pictures fantastic but the text is very informative. Buy with confidence that you will enjoy this book.

Beautiful, Fascinating and Informative, July 30, 2008
The book is great. There are many stunning photos. The book is worth every penny for just the photos alone. But after you get past all the eye candy there is a lot of interesting information about Owls. For example he shatters a lot of myths about their sight and hearing. The book has 8 chapters plus an introduction explaining Owl addiction: Anatomy of an Owl which has an identification guide; son et lumiere where he talks about the sight and hearing of these birds; Haunts and Hideaways; The Owlish Appetite, Family LIfe; The Next Generation; Predators, Pirates and Pests and Owls and Humans.

Owls, September 12, 2009
This is a marvelous book that will please both the student of owl biology and behavior as well as individuals who simply wish to see gorgeous photos of intriguing birds of prey.

Wonderful!, March 7, 2009
My daughter is thrilled with this book, she reads it over and over again. The pictures are great and the information is very interesting. This is a book that you want to buy if you love owls. It would also make a wonderful gift. Thank you

Great book, February 8, 2008
this was a gift for a friend, that is into birds. He said he loves it. ... Read more