Reviews (3)

Essential Reference!
Dr. Prete has put together a collection of the works of the finest research minds in the field, organized into a concise reference. Scientists and laymen alike will marvel at the quality of the presentation and the full color plates. Serious researchers will appreciate the quality of the data and the organized and well indexed approach. This volume is essential to the collection of any fan of the marvelous mantids.

Jacek Jarczynski
A truly fascinating book based on serious research in the field of entomology. The book caters to the readers who are aware and appreciate the beauty of pursuing knowledge by way of science. This is not a book for the beginner or temporary hobbyist wishing to only read about keeping a mantis alive. The concepts addressed in The Praying Mantids are often complicated and require a seriousness of thought and a scientific base to work with. Finally, The Praying Mantids is a long awaited and comprehensive book on mantids written from the perspective of a scientist.

Every thing about praying mantids you want to know!
Excellent book,a comprehensive reference for both technical and non-technical readers on the insects that continue to fascinate people after thousands of years. Zoologists, biologists, psychologists, and ecologists cover history, morphology, and taxonomy; ecology and mating behavior; hearing and vision, motor behaviors; defensive behavior; and techniques for rearing, breeding, and researching. A battery of color plates include several that resemble find-the-mantis puzzles. Information is also provided on permits and responsibilities and sources of equipment and supplies for rearing and breeding, and on museums housing major mantic collections. This book has everything you want to know, so get it! ... Read more

Book Description

Dazzling in appearance, idiosyncratic in behavior, dragonflies and damselflies have long captured the imaginations of nature lovers. In this illustrated natural history guide, Cynthia Berger takes the reader on a whirlwind trip through the lives of these intriguing insects, from their birth underwater (where they actually spend most of their lives as ferocious nymphs) to their miraculous transformation into free-flying adults. Features a field guide to the most common North American species--including life-size silhouettes for easy identification--as well as tips for observing dragonflies in the wild and attracting them to your backyard. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

reviews by Nick Donnelly, Cendrine Huemer
Nick Donnelly (Argia):

This slender paperback is one of the most engaging field guides that I have encountered. The major appeal in this book does not reside in the species descriptions, but in the introductory material, which is slightly more than half of the entire book. Beginning with life history (thoroughly treated and brilliantly illustrated with colored drawings), she continues on with flight, territoriality, mating, thermal regulation, migration, and a host of other topics that rarely are included in a book of this scope. She even includes a discussion of construction of a dragonfly pond for your backyard. This book will be a very suitable introdution for almost anybody from high school age on, and veteran students will learn new things from her treatment.

The remainder of the book is devoted to the identification of 27 Eastern odonates; 4 damselfly and 23 dragonfly species. One can quibble over the selection of species (no Argia, a relatively less common Lestes), but the accounts are thorough and the accompanying illustrations are as accurate as they are attractive. The author's aim is to facilitate identification of the more common species encountered in the US, and she accomplishes this impressively. Each species has a page or two, an attractive colored picture, and discussion of habitat and behavior.

She finishes with a listing of useful books, contacts, organizations, web sites and field equipment. Although she mentions observing nymphs in an aquarium, she does not develop the concept of rearing dragonflies, which is fairly easy and immensely rewarding. This is a thoroughly impressive guide, and is a wonderful supplement to guides devoted almost exclusively to identification, such as Sid Dunkle's "Dragonflies through Binoculars" and Blair Nikulas et al's "Beginner's Guide."

Cendrine Huemer (Nature Canada):

Dragonflies are in and entirely deserving of the interest. With their bright colours, seasonality, and predictable habitat requirements, watching dragonflies is but a quick hop from the world of birds. They have been on earth for more than 200 million years, which makes them older than dinosaurs. Tell that to a precocious dinosaur-lover and you may have a keen partner for a new hobby. There are 6,500 dragonfly species worldwide (including damselflies), and 425 in North America-a nice challenge and a reasonable project for a naturalist looking for new horizons.

Cynthia Berger's latest book, a worthy addition to any library, satisfies this new naturalist rage. Compact and well designed with excellent illustrations, it is less daunting than the more serious and scientific Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field and Finding Guide to Dragonflies of North America by Sidney W. Dunkle, which is twice the price. Wild Guide: Dragonflies is a book you might read cover to cover and bring to the cottage as part of the regular items you pack. Easy to read, it is comprehensive and includes anatomy, metamorphosis, behaviour, identification, and tips on dragonfly watching and how to attract them to your garden.

To make the nomenclature easier, dragonfly systematists have recently agreed on a system of common names. Word lovers will like the imagery they evoke-seaside dragonlet, pondhawks, firetails, amberwings, sprites, shadowdragons-which makes them sound like they should be on fantasy trading cards.

The section on identification is really a mini field guide, which covers habitat type-tremendously useful towards identification. The life-sized silhouettes also come in very handy. Unfortunately, range maps are not included. For them you must rely on Dunkle's tome.

Wild Guide: Dragonflies will take the mystery out of this ancient insect order. All you need, aside from the book, is a small pond, a notebook, and close-focusing binoculars. ... Read more

Book Description

A beautiful and authoritative reference on the butterflies of the world.

Butterflies are the most charismatic species of the insect world. Their brilliant colors, ability to fly, complex behavior, ecological relationships with plants and other animals, and their broad distribution in a wide variety of habitats have fascinated experts and laypersons alike for centuries.

Now, as the butterfly's migratory routes are destroyed by deforestation and pollution, this book is an urgent plea to nature lovers to become more aware of the very real threats to this magnificent creature.

With over 300 color photographs and drawings, this lavishly illustrated guide to the world of butterflies provides the reader with a wide range of information about this colorful and graceful insect.

The book is divided into five chapters, each focusing on a major question:
- What are butterflies?
- How many kinds of butterflies are there?
- Where do they live?
- How do they live?
- What can we do to help them survive?

Among the many topics discussed in detail are evolution, life cycle, courtship and reproduction, anatomy, geographic distribution, migration, demography, as well as butterfly-watching.

Always informative and engaging, this comprehensive look at the world of butterflies is replete with fascinating facts and is the first book to feature pictures of butterflies in their natural settings.

Accurate, comprehensive, and beautifully illustrated, this is the ultimate guide to the world of butterflies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Highly Recommended-- Fills a Great Need
This book can be unreservedly recommended-- not only for butterfly lovers and aficionados but the general lover of nature. To its great credit, it does many things at the same time, and does them all well. While it can introduce the general nature lover to the wonders of butterflies, it can also take seasoned butterfly enthusiasts even deeper into their favorite subject. Neither party will feel left out. The book is a judicious combination of informed text and beautiful, pertinent, photographs and graphic illustrations. One role this book fills is a gap which has "gaped" for many decades-- one between the simple love of Lepidoptera and the science of Lepidoptera. Many lepidopterists who see this book are going to wish THEY had it when they were young. This is because the book builds so many easy bridges between the simple love of butterflies and the wondrous complexity of their science. It hits the whole spectrum-- from life cycle, body and structure, classification, distribution, and general biology to more complex topics-- like mimicry and genetics. And, in each case, there are diagrams and/or photographs making even the most complex topics readily understandable. I bought a copy and gave it to a young friend who, at 10, is just beginning to take his love of butterflies to a higher level of serious learning. However, the book will work just as well for adults; if a professional wanted a quick refresher on many topics in lepidoptery he could find them here as well. The other major topic that A World For Butterflies bites off with gusto is conservation. The topic is treated not just with sweeping worldwide generalities but with compelling and intricate case studies highlighting the complexities that lie beneath the problem of species endangerment worldwide. This book deserves to do very well.

A World for Butterflies
The author's goal was to bridge the gap between researcher and teacher. I think he accomplished this admirably through the pictures. Almost every page has a beautiful photograph. The book is comprehensive and authoritative, covering conservation, classification, life cycle, and geographic distribution. "Six case studies illustrate some of the major problems faced by butterflies, and some of the real and potential solutions that have been (or can be) used to moderate their decline or endangerment". Includes bibliographic references and index. This book should appeal to young fans of the Very Hungry Butterfly as well as older students studying and classifying butterflies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simply The Most Uniquely Beautiful Work On This Subject!
When I first stumbled onto this impressive book in the store, I could not put it down! John Cody's paintings are masterful. They are full of the most delicate brilliant colors and light. Page after page features the loveliest images of these wonderful creatures from around the World. Attention to detail is second to none, his accurate and perceptive portrayals demonstrate an intimate knowledge of these ethereal insects in a spectacular fashion.
My brothers and I avidly collected these moths at night, in the rural North Carolina mountains. It was thrilling to see them dart around the street lamps like fiery jewels. Unfortunately, most books on this subject feature photos of pinned, faded samples. I've always felt it was a shame people couldn't experience their enchanting magic like we did. John Cody's book does that.

A truly beautiful pictorial look at the world's silk moths.
The paintings by John Cody are wonderfully realistic, lively portrayals of some of our most beautiful insects. The moths are not shown pinned but in flight or real poses with real and appropriate plants and flowers. A must for any admirer of Lepidoptera! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Incredible information and photos!
This book is a must-have, even for people who don't live in Florida. It is filled to the brim with wonderful photos and information on many types of North American butterflies. Just the photos make it worth the purchase! We're adding it to our butterfly library for reference work.

A fascinating look at Florida's butterflies.
As a beginning butterfly gardener in Florida, I found this book to be an essential tool near my window. The beautiful, large photographs always helped me identify the beauties that visit my backyard. The book also helped me identify the eggs, caterpillars and pupas in my garden. The text is also very interesting and includes information about butterfly habits and food. This is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the butterflies in Florida. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn how to identify the dragonflies and damselflies you see in your yards and on your outings

- softbound (laminated cover), 96 pages

- fits in your pocket (5.75" X 4.5")

- dragonflies and damselflies included

- 77 species covered: 6 family pages with live scanned dragonflies; 58 species pages with photos; 2 pages with anatomical sketches; species paired by similarities

- sizes (including a a bold line the length of the dragonfly), descriptions, comparisons, habitats, flight periods, behavior, distribution

- includes a checklist of all CA species

- 119 color photos/scans, inc. some nymph

The book has a companion website showing ALL of California's Dragonflies with distribution maps, which are updated twice yearly. The website contains additional information on each speices and has links to CalOdes, the California dragonfly discussion group, sightings within the state, and updated flight periods as well as addtional photos of all species. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Perfect Field Guide
As a beginner in the study of these fascinating and beautiful creatures, I found this book clear, concise, and easy to understand and use. The text is simple and complete, and the illustrations are excellent. The small size of the volume makes it fit easily into your pocket for quick reference. Anyone interested in dragonflies will find the book an absolute MUST!

A Wonderful Pocket Guide!
Common Dragonflies of California is an uncommon book. Full of sound advice and chock full of excellent color photos, this book will be of great interest to any California nature lover. I am the kind of person who loves to know the name of every tree, shrub, flower, reptile, bird and fish that I see. Now that I have this little jewel, I'm going to learn how to identify the dragonflies too. The more we learn about nature, the more enjoyment we get from it. I highly recommend this fine book! I expect it would make a great present too, for the right person. Tom Ogren, author of Allergy-Free Gardening

A valuable field guide. Easy to use. Great photographs.
This is really nice field guide to have. The photographs are great. Each entry is succint and includes one or two photographs together with a bold line the length of the dragonfly and printed in one of the dominant colors of the dragonfly. There is a checklist in the back so that you can keep track of what you see, and the introductory information in the front of the book is well-written. Though I bought this book for myself, I think that it also would make a great field guide for a child since the book is small, easy to use, and the photos are clear and attractive. It is well worth the price.

FIVE STAR PLUS
An awesome book! Easy to use with great photos. You'll never view dragonflies the same again.

At this price point it makes for an awesome gift...especially for all those kids you're trying to get turned on to nature instead of video games. After all - let's face it - dragonflies are way cooler than birding and all that other boring "outdoorsie" kinda stuff! (well at least according to kids who think birding is boring)

I highly recommend it. Now if we can just get her to do guides for some of the other states.....

Great, easy to use book
I thought it would be tough to ID Dragonflies but with this book it has been suprisingly easy. Now if they would just hold still for the binculars! ... Read more

Book Description

Insects Thematic Unit is based on the following pieces of literature: Insects Around the House, Insects in the Garden, James and the Giant Peach. This reproducible resource is filled with ready-to-use lessons and cross-curricular activities. Also included are management ideas, creative suggestions for the classroom, and a bibliography. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

bit disappointing
The information in this book is a bit generic and lacking in interesting factual information. I find the chapters disappointing when I read about a particular insect. The text is not particularly inspiring and does not capture the fascination of the insects' natural history. The topic is a fine one but it is handled much better by classic works like Fabre and Linsenmaier's "Insects of the World". We need to encourage writing on this topic by our best natural history authors and entomologists.

terrific book!
This is a great reference! It has all sorts of insects that you come across in your lawn/gardens/woods. I use it constantly when i'm out looking at butterflies and get distracted looking at other insects. Its great. It breaks the insects down into those that you'll see in spring, summer, fall and winter. It has reference tables on where to look for the insects (e.g. ponds, fields, ground, etc) and tells about their lifecycles. Its just facinating. You can learn a lot without being heavy into the science of orders and classes and things like that. Really a great resource

unique and invaluable
Since the day I purchased this book I have not stopped consulting it's pages of clear, simple information. Accompanied by a drawing showing the kind of habitat where the insect is likely to be found, a brief description of the insect's life cycles and observable habits are touched upon. This book isn't going to make anyone an expert on the subject of entomology but that isn't its aim. What it will do is to help you in locating many different kinds of insects throughout the seasons and enrich the experience of observing their behavior. The perfect companion book to all your more scientific texts. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Conventional wisdom holds that our dietary habits are mostly set by the time we reach age 5. Perhaps this explains why the thought of eating insects sends the average Westerner into a fit of shudders and gagging. But entomophagy is practiced by all kinds of people, all over the world. Arthropods are a good source of protein, they're plentiful, and they're often easier to catch than a fast bird or dangerous mammal. Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio, the husband-wife team behind the photojournalistic masterpieces Material World and Women in the Material World, bring us the world of insect eating through stunning photos and amusing, enlightening text, complete with recipes for delicacies like Simple Scorpion Soup. Peter dives into each insect meal with gusto, whereas Faith is always less enthusiastic, but participates nonetheless, if only to push her Western taste boundaries out a bit further. Here she describes her first taste of a fried tarantula in Cambodia: "I can stall no longer. I break off a leg--it's two inches long, but seems like twelve--and ask if this too is supposed to be eaten. Yes, I'm told, so I do. I'm surprised that it doesn't feel hairy in my mouth because it looks awfully hairy.... It doesn't taste bad, but I can't say it tastes good."

Man Eating Bugs is part global anthropological study, part nature essay, part travel adventure story. The plentiful, gorgeous photographs will take you on an emotional journey, from the depths of disgust to the heights of awe, as you realize that "the shelves of the supermarket carry only a small slice of what the world has to offer." --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (8)

I want to try eating a bug!!!!
I've watched shows on t.v. showing people eating termites fresh from the grond, grubs in mexico being fried, and scorpions eaten live... i was always apalled by the thought- yet strangely facinated... I bought this book- out of pure curiosity and partially for the gross out factor... but now I'm dying to try a bug!!!! (i won't go near those damn tequilla lollypops- if i don't like the drink- why should i suck on a pop- just to taste the bug inside- it's too torturous) i wish that the photos had been focused better. a lot of the shots looked like the camera had some sort of shutter problem. But the book is marvelous... full of photos and diary like accounts of each adventure... Now if only they had made a documentary... I should make a documentary- just so i can go and taste these dishes!!!!

a facinating look at entomophagy around the globe!
I saw this book in a nature store a couple of years ago and was immediately captivated by it's gorgeous photography and tasty subject matter. This is the ultimate "gross out" book for insect-haters and the ultimate insect-enlightenment book for bug-lovers. After reading this book, you'll see why so many other countries utilize insects as a food source and you may even wish that it was more accepted here in the US!(could entomophagy be the answer to many of our health problems?)
This book was chock-a-block full of facinating info about other cultures,customs,and cusine,as well as colorful photography and stories! I suggest it to everyone, even the insect-haters :) Maybe they'll develop a "taste" for it (haha)

Delicious!
This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. And I've read a *lot* of books!

Peter and Faith's commentary throughout their journey into the delights of bug-eating is intelligent, witty and so enticingly descriptive that you really will feel drawn to savouring deep fried tarantula and stink bug casserole...honestly!

The photography is phenomenal, and the intimate insight into cultures other than their own leaves me yearning for more by this couple. Very highly recommended!

mmmmm......grubs!
this book was a christmas present from a very understanding boyfriend, and is one of my favorite nonfiction books of all time! you get 2 different views on the eating of bugs, and tons of wonderful full color pictures. amazing stuff.

Just Do It!
Awesome book! Super photos & text describing the taste of the bugs and the cultures behind the cuisines. For someone who has tried just a few (live Amazonian beetle larvae - tasted like coconut oil; ants - kinda peppery) it was fascinating & just the book I was waiting for.

Anyone brave enough to read it should take the next obvious step!

Truly the perfect coffee table book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fantastic field guide
There wasn't a grasshopper in Florida that I couldn't identify with this field guide in hand!The book includes stunning pictures and detailed information (on preferred habitat, life history, whether the species is common or rare, etc.).I do not have a background in entomology, and I was able to easily follow this guide.I recommend this book to anyone even casually interested in grasshoppers. ... Read more

Book Description

The arthropods contain more species than any other animalgroup, but the evolutionary pathways which led to their currentdiversity are still an issue of controversy. ArthropodRelationships provides an overview of our current understanding,responding to the new data arising from sequencing DNA, the discoveryof new Cambrian fossils as direct evidence of early arthropod history,and developmental genetics. These new areas of research havestimulated a reconsideration of classical morphology and embryology.Arthropod Relationships is the first synthesis of thecurrent debate to emerge: not since the volume edited by Gupta waspublished in 1979 has the arthropod phylogeny debate been, consideredin this depth and breadth. Leaders in the various branches of arthropod biology have contributedto this volume. Chapters focus progressively from the general issuesto the specific problems involving particular groups, and thence to aconsideration of embryology and genetics. This wide range ofdisciplines is drawn on to approach an understanding of arthropodrelationships, and to provide the most timely account of arthropodphylogeny. This book should be read by evolutionary biologists, palaeontologists,developmental geneticists and invertebrate zoologists. It will have aspecial interest for post-graduate students working in these fields. ... Read more

Book Description

Post-husband, pre-rest-of-life, Rosanne Daryl Thomas and her seven-year-old daughter move to a small New England town. When, on a whim, she decides to take up beekeeping, her daughter is so proud of her that she can't back out-no matter how bumbling and unprepared she is. Thomas learns much from the Bee Master and other locals intrigued by a novice woman beekeeper who needs their help-at first. As she finds her courage, Thomas also finds herself embracing a life she never dreamed of. Entering the mysterious world of bees, she begins a relationship with nature that mingles science with mythology, wonder with humility, and motherly devotion with a search for new ways of seeing and untried possibilities. She learns that beekeeping, like life, can never be mastered. There is always room to make another mistake, and with each mistake comes an opportunity. Along the way, she gets her share of stings, some honey-and, perhaps, a little bit wiser. With a novelist's eye for detail, and prose that intimately engages the reader, Rosanne Daryl Thomas opens the mysterious and seductive world of beekeeping to a whole new audience. (6 1/4 x 9 1/4, 240 pages)

Rosanne Daryl Thomas is the author of Awaiting Grace and The Angel Carver, which was a New York Times Notable Book. This is her first full-length work of non-fiction. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Bees and life
I love reading books about someone passionately engaged in something new, and this book is exactly that. Author Rosanne Daryl Thomas tells a tale of becoming a beekeeper almost on a whim, but it goes deeper than that. Clearly, there was something that drew her to the bees. It simply took circumstance to bring it forward. More importantly, she triumphs over the setbacks that occur with an honesty that seems missing in many books today. Reading this story was like listening to her tell it over coffee in her honey-covered kitchen.

Thomas' tales of learning the beekeeping trade from the bottom up are humorous, enlightening and presented in a conversational tone that kept me turning the pages. So much so that I finished the book in 1 day! She also throws in a few lessons about life and love, without being heavy handed or bogging down the story.

Even as someone who knew a little bit about beekeeping, I learned new stuff about the processes involved. For the gardener in me, it is great to learn a little more about how my garden helps bees to survive and thrive. My neighbor has a single hive on top of his garden shed and I can sit in my garden swing, watching their comings and goings. He makes sure we get some honey each year, too. Tasty! Even more so since part of it arose from my garden.

Several of my favorite books are based around the cycle of the year's passage. I think growing up on a farm certainly plays a part in this, but we all instinctively relate to the passing of the seasons in some way.

A HONEY OF A BOOK
While most of us give a wide berth to stinging insects, memoirist Roseanne Daryl Thomas cozies up to bees, affectionately calling them "my girls." - quite an about face for one whose prior knowledge of apian life consisted of "They buzzed. They stung. They were yellow."

Following a divorce Ms. Thomas, her then 7-year-old daughter, August, and Ruffy, a geriatric cat, sought new life in a small New England community populated by 3,000 inquisitive souls.

There she met Farmer Tom; farmer being an unlikely sobriquet for a man with clean fingernails and a business card. Another unlikelihood was Ms. Thomas's out-of-nowhere comment that she might like to keep bees. At this, her daughter smiled, and Farmer Tom offered his land.

Smitten with the idea of having a mother who was a bee keeper, August "danced jubilantly about the house, composing beekeeping songs, drawing beekeeping pictures." Not wishing to disappoint her daughter, and just a little enthralled by the idea herself, Ms. Thomas began a task about which she knew "a teaspoonful more than absolutely nothing."

She visited a master beekeeper who introduced her to a hive body or deep super where bees live. Inside the deep super would be wax covered moveable frames where honey is made. . To her chagrin these did not come ready made, but had to be assembled - a daunting task for one who was not sure she owned a hammer. She bought three unassembled hives.

Another necessity was "The Outfit," first of all, gloves, elbow length cotton covered with yellow latex. Gloves did not come in a 7 ½; the smallest size in the white beesuit was a men's 42 regular. Finally, the hat. She was hoping for something in "a pale gold closely woven straw." Instead, she was handed "a hard white plastic pith helmet with ventilation grates at the temples."

There was no time for second thoughts as she had also ordered six living pounds of Italian honeybees. (According to the Bee Master Italian honeybees had the best dispositions). After many bruised fingers, considerable help from a friend, and countless visits to True Value, the hives were ready. Named Har, Jafenhar, and Thridi for the mythic trio who guard Valhalla, they were placed on Farmer Tom's land.

Weeks passed as Ms. Thomas tended her bees, sloshing through the field in Wellingtons bearing Ball jars of sugar water and toting other necessities in a lavender Bergdorf's shopping bag. With each visit she felt a deepening affinity for that spot of earth. Her respect for the natural world grew as she observed a blue heron seeking sustenance, and heavily laden black ants climbing ant mountains.

After a year the author had survived numerous stings and slings of fortune. She harvested her first crop with the observation that she had learned much but not enough.
Readers will find that they have learned much about bee keeping but not enough about Rosanne Daryl Thomas. "Beeing" is a memoir oddly lacking in emotional intimacy. Her marriage is dismissed with several lines, and there is scant reference to personal feelings. As "Motherhood" is found in the subtitle, one wonders what August's response was to the breakup of her home, and moving to a new community. Did Ms. Thomas ever address these issues with her daughter?

Practical matters also prove puzzling. With no apparent income how does one undertake a costly hobby that requires full time attention? Questions remain unanswered.

Nonetheless, "Being" is fluidly penned, at times lyric in descriptions of the changing seasons. And, there are lessons to be learned in this memoir, not the least of which is, "If you want to get honey, you have to be prepared to get stung."

There's no question at all about that.

- Gail Cooke

Completely Charmed by BEEING
I love this book!!! It is sweet, funny, touching
and completely charming. (also inspiring: makes you
want to keep bees and appreciate them more.)
This is a "keeper" for the personal favorites library.
It is the gift I want to give my favorite friends and
relatives. The only thing possibly better than reading
this story would be to see Sandra Bullock make this into
a movie!
******Sandra Bullock please make this into a movie...
it is PERFECT for you!!!!!****************************

Honey and Charm
What a great read! Thomas breezes us through a year in the life of an unstoppable single mom, as seen through the lens of a novice beekeeper. She braves the vicissitudes of her first year of beekeeping with pathos, humor, intelligence and grace. As she interweaves her care and tending of the bees and their hives with the care and tending of her daughter, herself and their memorable home, I turned page after page with an ever-widening smile. Many thanks to the author for granting me a glimpse into her personal and universal world.

Beeing
What a deeply satisfying book, rich in character, witty and warm, reflective without being ponderous, a marvellous read that holds your attention. Recounting her troubles and travails as a novice beekeeper and single mother in a quaint New England town, Rosanne Thomas creates a vivid collection of characters full of quirks yet helpful and kind as she struggles to juggle the challenges of three buzzing hives, a number of unsuitable suitors and the vagaries of nature with the needs of her sensitive, bright young daughter. In the process she paints a panorama of life and death, courage and perseverance with such intelligence, humor and charm and renders the beauty of nature with such deft but delicate strokes that I laughed, spilt a tear, and will never again spread honey on my toast without acknowledging the painstacking labor of love it takes to produce. Beeing offers us by example the gift of true being. ... Read more

Book Description

From bats and slugs to spiders and snakes, Des Kennedy tackles some of the creatures that most people find easy to hate. Flora and fauna that have historically been given a bum rap are examined in these fascinating anecdotes about life on a small island where all living things depend on each other. Whitecap is proud to reissue this updated humorous classic as part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fascinating!!!
Really neat info on how insects keep warm/cool down and why they move in those ways - shivering, bouncing, etc. The text is really easy to read and interesting to get into - the drawings sprinkled in throughout help make understanding that much easier. I don't have a science background - just have an insatiable hunger to learn about our natural world and this book definitely filled one corner of that hunger......Ever see a dragonfly stand up like its doing a headstand? Well its not because it like the head rush (or maybe that too but the book doesn't talk to that) - the reason they do that is on p. 66 - "When the sun is directly overhead some dragonflies assume the 'oblisk' position, which minimizes surface area exposed to solar heating while maximizing the area available for convective cooling." ....all to say, it was a hot day and the dragonfly needed to cool down :) Excellent book!

Unusual topic well presented
The thermodynamics of insects, from flight and thermoregulation to "thermal wars" between predator and prey. This is fascinating hard science presented in a user-friendly format. Short and pithy.

Excellent information, easy to understand
Bernd Heinrich has brought us yet another book that appeals both to the complete layperson and the scientist and provides enough detail and entertainment to keep both happy. The Thermal Warriors provides a fascinating look into the details of insect thermodynamics. Did you know that bees and most other flying insects have to shiver their muscles to warm-up their engines before flying because their flight muscles are adapted to work best at flight temperatures? Did you know that some butterflies have to stop and rest frequently on even moderately sunny days to keep from overheating?

Heinrich has taken his in-depth experience in this field and created a summary version for those that want to know more, but don't have any interest in wading through a 600 page monolith. The book is split up into different "problems" that insects must overcome to achieve flight, be active in different environments, and utilize different body shapes and sizes. He explains the physics of the various problems encountered and adaptations to overcome the problems in an easy to read manner. He frequently uses car engine analogies to help things make more sense.

My only qualm with this book is that it was over too soon! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good reference
This is a super resource. It has great info on both the host and nectar plants of butterflies, talks to the different needs of hummingbirds and the plants they like, how to set up the garden to be most inviting. There are full chapters on things like "the lure of water", "the shletering garden", garden designs, butterfly & hummingbird behavior, etc. There's a section on hummingbird feeders as well as butterfly feeders (rotting fruit - they love it!) It's a great into to the lives of butterflies and hummingbirds, explaining the cycles they go through and their needs and has really straightforward info/ideas on how to create the habitat that will be right for them. The photographs of the caterpillars, butterflies and hummingbirds (even one feeding young in a nest) are fantastic. It also tells (a little bit) about how caterpillars overwinter. Really one of the best books I've seen on the topic - glad I bought it - its a lot of fun! I highly recommend it for anyone looking to set up a garden to attract these folks or augment an existing garden. Build it and they will definitely come! We've had great succeses!

Delightful!
I received this for Christmas and have read it three times since then, referring to it constantly as I build our new hummingbird/butterfly friendly backyard. Sally Roth has changed the way I garden - her relaxed style, her obvious pleasure in her subject, the wonderful photographs, great descriptions of hummingbirds, butterflies and the plants to sustain them, have made organic gardening accessible and understandable. I have always had a no-spray garden, but always felt some distress when things started getting chewed, as will happen. Now I look eagerly for the first signs of 'munching' on the passiflora I just planted, hoping for some fritillary action. Host plants are now mixed in with the nectar flowers - and I can't wait to see a monarch caterpillar on the milkweed! Thanks, Sally! I have hung up the big giant strawberry feeder with pride!

Wonderful!
I borrowed this book from our local library, and I read it from cover to cover! Most gardening books are good for browsing, but are too boring to read. I am an avid gardener and bird/butterfly watcher, and I found this book VERY informative, well illustrated and also well written. I've added this book to my wishlist hoping someone will buy it for me! If you're interested in butterflies or hummingbirds, this is the book for you!

A beautiful book - enjoy and be inspired
I've read a number of gardening books lately, as I have decided to start gardening. This is one of the best. There are beautiful photographs and illustrations of flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds. The author has an obvious love of the subject. She doesn't make the whole gardening idea into a religion, however. She has a light touch, tells some stories on herself, gives a lot of good advice and makes the whole thing seem like a joy, not a chore. ... Read more