Book Description

Ever since man first set eyes on the tiger, it has captivated people the world over.With its exceptional photography and insightful text, TIGER: The Ultimate Guide is a fitting tribute to this fascinating creature.An indispensible resource for animal lovers and conservationists alike, this book offers the most complete account to date of the natural and cultural history of the tiger - from its evolution and behavior to its symbolic importance in myth and ritual.Anecdotal and statistical information concerning the tiger's continued exploitation and struggle for survival, past and present, illuminate and inform a discussion of current preservation efforts.Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 images, TIGER: The Ultimate Guide features an unsurpassed collection of photographs of tigers in the wild, many never before published, that showcase the work of some of the world's finest photographers.Also included are superb examples of tiger-inspired art through the centuries - from ancient mosaics and Indian paintings to the work of European artists suchs as Delacroix, Bugatti, Stubbs, Rousseau, and Dali.The extraordinary array of illustrations presented in this distinctive volume has been drawn from archives, private collections, and museums around the world.

A passionate first-person narrative by Valmik Thapar who has spent most of the last thirty years observing tigers in the wild and fighting to ensure their survival, is supplemented by the latest scientific findings and essays by twenty of the world's most renowned experts.This stunning book explores every aspect of one of nature's most majestic animals, making TIGER: The Ultimate Guide as authoritative as it is beautiful. ... Read more

Book Description

Dolphins and Porpoises captures the exuberance, the intelligence, the sheer charisma, of forty-three species of small cetacean -- from the immensely popular bottlenose dolphin to the rare and attractive spectacled porpoise to their awe-inspiring cousin, the killer whale.

With 70 black-and-white illustrations and 16 pages in color ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dolphins and Porpoises: A goldmine of information!
I can't keep track of how many people I've met that love marine mammals; especially dolphins and porpoises. If you too are interested in these amazing creatures, I highly recommend this book. Dolphins and Porpoises is a book with the straight facts. Unlike other scientific books, Dolphins and Porpoises is easy to understand, but still gives you the information that you need. It is ideal for research, or pleasure reading. There are also many descriptive diagrams to explain slightly hard-to-grasp concepts on dolphins and porpoises. Dolphins and Porpoises is a wonderful book. I would reccomend it for all ages.

Another in a stellar line of natural history books
This is another book by Richard Ellis, painting naturalist. In this book Ellis focuses on dolphins and porpoises. The paintings by Ellis are, as in his books on sharks and whales, the main marketing vehicles for the book.

To his credit, Ellis provides a substantial amount of accurate supporting information about the biology, ecology, and behavior, of this group of marine mammals.

Though not a technical text on dolphins and porpoises, it is a great primer on the group. If you, a family member, or friend are interested in dolphins and their kin, then I highly recommend this book to you.

Top-notch introduction to the group. ... Read more

Book Description

For centuries, wolves have haunted the human imagination. It has been accepted as conventional wisdom that they are savage predators, creatures of nightmare. Determined to overcome such misconceptions, Jim and Jamie Dutcher spent six years in a tented camp on the edge of Idaho's wilderness, living with and filming a pack of wolves. Now, in this lyrical memoir, the Dutchers share their experience of life among these intelligent and elusive animals.

By socializing with the pack from the time they were pups, the Dutchers were able to gain the wolves' trust and observe their behavior in a way that few people ever have. What they witnessed was remarkable: a complex nature oriented toward family life and strong social bonds.

Wolves at Our Door is much more than a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Dutchers' Emmy Award-winning Discovery Channel documentary. It is the story of two people brought together by their devotion to wildlife and held together by their belief in each other. It is about their struggle to keep the project alive amid marauding mountain lions, forest fires, subzero temperatures -- and the never-ending storm of controversy that surrounds the wolf. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

J. Linscott, nature lover
This book is a wonderful view on the lives inside a wild wolf pack. Even though the Dutchers raised all but two of the original pack from 10 day old pups, the wolves still behave as they would in the wild with the exception of allowing humans to glimpse their lives. These wolves were kept in an enclosed area near the Sawthooth Mountains for six years otherwise this book and the film by the same title would not have been possible if these were wolves born in the wild their fear of humans would never have given us the glimpse of compassion, love and loyalty that is the wolf. As you read this book you will come to understand that wolves are not born killers. Please read this book for the sake of the wolf and the wilderness they represent, it may help in restoring them to the wild, for knowledge and understanding go hand in hand with preservation.

Excellent! A must read!
A value cannot be put on the information gained by Jim and Jamie Dutcher during the Sawtooth Project. This story exposes the reader to an animal that, until recently, little was known about. This book dispells myths and presents the wolf in a whole new, positive light. The observations made by Jim and Jamie Dutcher regarding the pack's behavior, as a whole and individually, are priceless. This book reveals the complexity and unbelievable intelligence of these magnificent animals.

To those who have criticized the Dutchers for "abandoning" the pack after the project was over, allow me to point out that although captive, these wolves were and are WILD ANIMALS. They are not pets and were never treated that way. The Dutchers did not abandon the animals, but left them in the captive care of the Nez Perce tribe, on enclosed land similar in size and backdrop of the Sawtooth enclosure. Jim Dutcher made it a priority in the beginning to make sure the pack had a safe place to go after the project ended. Because of his effort, the Sawtooth pack will never have to worry about hunters and will always have human caretakers. They have it much better than most captive wild animals. So quiet your critism, or at least devote it to something worth criticizing, like the people who keep wild animals captive as pets!

The Sawtooth Project has had a huge impact in changing the public's minds about wolves. We owe Jim and Jamie Dutcher a deep debt of gratitude for that.

Shame
A well written story but what a shame the pack were not cared for for by the Dutchers for the rest of the wolves natural lives. Captive packs can not lead the truly wild lifestyle they were intended to lead. And to abandon them to the care of others after finishing the documentary showed just how man can use an animal for his own financial gain them walk away from them. At the very least this couple should have committed their lives to a pack they formed for personal financial gain. A good well written story but the last chapters are heartbreaking and show man at his worst.

Opened a new page in my life
This... This book is beyond my dictionary of words, but I'll try to describe it as best I can.

First of all, I am a great fan of wolves, and I was introduced by seeing the end of a nameless movie I believe was "Wolves at our Door". My best friend bought me the book for my birthday, and I read a chapter here, and a chapter there, busy with school. As I began to progress, I got more and more into the book.

This book showed, from what I believe the true personality of a wolf, even though they were raised with human hands. Instinct took over, and Jim and Jamie didn't try or succeed in domesticating the wolves. This book showed the connection between wolves and humans that was broken once humans decided to classify wolves as inferior and not equals.

My heart was ripped out of my chest when I learned how the wolves were treated once Jim and Jamie could no longer care for the wolves. (Stupid permits!!) The two did the best they could to supply a pair of good new caretakers, slowly introducing them. But since the company sponsering the wolves was too busy with their finances, the wolves were abandoned 5 weeks at a time and volunteers fed them from over the fence. Jim and Jamie could do nothing about it, as they no longer were legal workers on the project and lived too far away.

Hope, is restored as in a fresh wolf paw print is seen in mud where the old pack used to dwell, renewing hope that the wolf has not yet diappeared yet.

A Marvellous Read
Hey everyone,

I started and read straight through to the end. Couldn't put it down. Simply and movingly written, staggering in its insights, awesome in its implications, touching in its story and - finally-heartbreaking in its conclusion. Some people may slam the Dutchers for seemingly abandoning the wolves, but I didn't have the heart. After reading this story, I sat down and thought about how often humans truly wreck their own endeavors. Draw your own opinions on the project, but the one lesson that should have been taught, judging from the reviews before this one, was clearly missed - again. Unity and the blessing of forgiveness should be our ultimate goal; without it we will forever batter ourselves to pieces in our own judgement of things.
Truly a beautiful piece of work and it snags my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Brings out the magnificance of the whitetail.
This is a book for everyone. Naturalist, conservationist, hunter, whatever you may be you'll enjoy this book. Based on what Mr. Alsheimer does best, photography, he takes you through the seasons. The pictures are splendid. Accompaning this photographic walk through a yearly whitetail lifecycle is a sound base of information concerning the whitetail's behavior.

Not quite what I expected, but it was still good
I purchased this book, thinking that it was a hunting book. I was quite surprised that the book was a photojournal rather than a hunting book.

However, the book is filled with lots of extraordinary pictures of whitetails. The book does contain a lot of information on whitetail deer. Some of it can be applied to hunting, a lot of it is "interesting" or "nice to know" type information.

Despite this book not being what I expected, it is still a very fine book. I did learn a lot about whitetail deer in this book and the photography was excellent. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the beauty of a whitetail deer, hunters and non-hunters alike.

attention all dedicated bowhunters
we all know that knowledge is power. this book has made a signifigant contribution to my existing knowledge, on the whitetailed deer. i gained some valuable insight about their habits, good details about the rut. this book is simply an excellent, complete information source, i learned stuff that i know will help me this season. i would like to say something about amazon.com; this place has all of the great books on deer. this is another great information source for the bowhunter that wants to continually upgrade his hunting knowledge. truly excellent book!!!! i welcome all e-mails from dedicated bowhunters. dave "lefty" mullins

The best whitetail book I have ever read!
Whitetail: Behavior Through the Seasons was the best whitetail book that I have ever read. Alsheimer has a wonderful way of words and is unparalled with the camera. Each page is filled with stunning pictures that coinside with the reading. The book will be read and looked at agin and agin. It's truely worth every penny. ... Read more

Book Description

This one of a kind book covers the basics in pig biology from genetics, reproduction, nutrition and growth, to timely and current discussions on human resource management and social farming issues. It combines knowledge of biological studies with opportunities for getting practical experience in the pig production business. Unlike other texts, this book leads readers to understand the techniques involved in pig productions rapid growth and industry successes, and provides managers of small family farms or corporate establishments with an invaluable resource for applying these strategies and methodologies to boost business and production efficiencies. Beneficial for introductory through advanced curriculums, training programs, or as a helpful reference, it is an unparalleled source forthe basics and beyond in modern pig production. ... Read more

Book Description

Since antiquity, bats have been misunderstood and shrouded in mystery. Given misnomers such as fledermaus ("flying mouse") and murciegalo ("blind mouse"), these nocturnal flying mammals were even classified as primates by the great Carl Linnaeus, based on his knowledge of the anatomy of large Old World fruit bats. In this beautifully illustrated volume, bat specialist Rick A. Adams delves into bats' true nature and the roles these fascinating ledurblaka ("leather flutterers") play in the natural history and ecology of the Rocky Mountain West.

Bats of the Rocky Mountain West begins with a general discussion of bat biology and evolution as well as regional physiography and zoogeography. In addition, Adams describes—based on the results of extensive research—the behavior and ecology of the 31 species of bats found in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Naturalists and biologists alike will benefit from the detailed species descriptions, color photographs and illustrations, distribution maps, and echolocation sonograms. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West is a unique and valuable reference for professional bat biologists, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts interested in the conservation and ecology of bats in the region. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Overall Guide
This is a good overall guide for taking care of an opossum.I purchased this book/guide for my uncle who found an "abandoned" opossum at his back door.For its size, the book is extremely thorough in explaining:where do opossums come from (why are there so many "abandoned" opossums around), how to care for an opossum (health signs to watch out for), how to feed, how to set up a proper environment, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

In The Octopus and the Orangutan, Eugene Linden takes readers on another unforgettable journey into the minds and hearts of animals.

The Parrot's Lament, his acclaimed previous book, featured extraordinary true stories of animal consciousness and intelligence. Linden's latest book goes beyond our everyday encounters with animals at home and in the zoo in a wide-ranging collection of real-life anecdotes that offer further compelling evidence of their higher mental capabilities and their awareness of the needs and feelings of others.

The Octopus and the Orangutan reveals extraordinary new details about animals introduced in The Parrot's Lament, and then finds intelligent behavior in surprising new places, ranging from the octopus's garden to the crow's nest. Amazing feats of stealth, deception, and larceny accompany unexpected acts of kindness and friendship. Animals show they are cagey bargainers and tough negotiators both with their human keepers and with one another. The animals themselves are our guides in this fresh look at the question of animal intelligence.

From the beloved pets we think we know to the remarkable survival skills of creatures in the wild, Eugene Linden once again shares his wonder and joy at the infinite variety of animal behavior that continues to inform, amaze, and touch us all. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Pretty thin!
I thought this was a pamphlet disguised as a book. I also felt preached to, as though I didn't have enough intelligence to make up my mind, given the facts. All that he had to say could have been done in 10 pages. I was very disappointed!

A follow-up to The Parrot's Lament
With the publication of THE OCTOPUS AND THE ORANGUTAN, Eugene Linden has firmly established himself as a fine documenter of engaging animal behavior. In this, following the publication of his popular The Parrot's Lament, Linden explores more instances of possible signs of higher level thinking in animals. He tells of - and refers to often - the remarkable ability to escape and overcome obstacles by the smartest invertebrate, the octopus, perhaps the most surprising instance of adaptability. But he doesn't rely on stories involving the octopus and the orangutan, the two creatures in the title; he supplies examples of the intelligence of elephants, chimpanzees, dolphins, and squirrels, to name the most prevalent in these pages. Linden is always cautious not to attribute too much intelligence to possibly hard-wired behavior. His attitude seems to be, "Here's the evidence - this is what it might be, this is what it might not be."

Because Linden describes, albeit briefly, some of the examples described in his earlier book, I felt this one to be a little thinner in terms of content. Yes, he elaborates and supplies new details, but still, I felt somewhat cheated at times. Some paragraphs feel like filler as he states, and re-states, the obvious.

Despite the above flaws, this is a worthwhile read for animal lovers and those interested in popular science. The writing is simple and straightforward, an easy read all in all. It makes a good companion book to Linden's previous work on animal intelligence.

The Octopus and the Orangutan
The Octopus and the Orangutan: More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity written by Eugene Linden is a book on observation. Observantion of animal behavior, bringing together intrique with intelligence and ingenuity.

This book is the second book of two about this topic as the author has written "The Parrot's Lament. "The Octopus and the Orangutan looks for intelligence in animals, as we know animals exhibit intelligence in varing degrees, so the author describes stealth, deception, and friendship. But, that is not all, they exhibit intelligence in bargining and negotiations not only with their handlers, but among themselves.

Yes, animal intelligence is not on par with man's, but if you realize that an animal has intelligence you can begin to find out at what level the animal "understands." Then when you understand the animal you begin to set up a rudimentary communication. This book has examples of observed astonishing new animal behavior previously thought to be exclusively human.

The is a story about a remarkable Octopus and a colony of Orangutans and the observed behaviors that are quite remarkable, and of course, there are other stories throughout the book. If you like a book that really makes the most of observation, and combine it with animals. You'll have a book that warms you heart. A story about Mozart and his bird... a Starling that loved his melodies.

Now, that story I can relate to, as I have two Cockatiel's and when I play a Mozart CD the birds sing the music right along with the CD. Their favor Mozart is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" as they sing it right after they are fed. I found this book to be a wonderful study of animal behavior through human observation, which gives the reader a good look into what is intelligence in animals.

An excellent read with a well balanced narritive.

Not So Simple Minds
It is of no dispute that animals display varying levels of intelligence. Occasionally, many creatures seem to display human-like emotions and temperaments. Our pets' eyes sometimes seem to sparkle with an attentive knowledge and other animals, such as dolphins and apes, display a level of intelligence that leaves us in a state of wonderment. 'The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden offers glimpses into these telling displays and actions which occasionally bridge the gap between human and animal. It is an eye-opening and touching read, sprinkled with humour and amazing insights into the brains of not only octopus and orangutan but elephants, bonobos, cats, orcas and many more. 'The Octopus and the Orangutan' is creatively researched and warmly written. Eugene Linden has taken his wonderful book 'The Parrots Lament' and taken it further with new reports and insights into animal activities that will amaze and astound you. 'The Octopus and the Orangutan - More True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence and Ingenuity' by Eugene Linden explores the activity inside the not so simple minds of creatures that often don't behave like animals at all. ... Read more

Book Description

Gus Mills describes the origins and evolutions of these mighty predators, examines their social structures and hunting behaviors, discusses their competition with each other for shrinking territory and resources, and presents the conservation status and outlook for each.Martin Harvey's engaging full-color photographs bring the everyday existence to these majestic animals vividly to life. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the true story about sharks. Sharks have long inspired our admiration and fear.For centuries, weve sought to know more about these mysterious fishes, yet they remain little known and misunderstood.Slowly, as we probe their remote world, were learning more about these elusive fishes, how they live and why they behave the way they do.As technology lets us spend more time observing sharks in the wild and in aquariums, long-held misconceptions are being dispelled.In these beautifully illustrated pages, youll come to know the sharks and rays of the Pacific coast, and discover that its sharks, not us, who have the most to fear.

Monterey Bay Aquariums Natural History Series brings you closer to the living marine and coastal communities of the nations largest marine sanctuary, where youll come face to face with some of the more interesting residents. Produced by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Press, these books will stimulate your curiosity and understanding of the natural world. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Pictures of primates galore!
This book has everything. There are pictures in here of virtually all 246 species (give or take a few). There are great summaries about each animal and a hearty set of basic references for each. I love this book and look at it all the time. A must for anyone who loves primates.

Outstanding!
The Pictoral Guide to the Living Primates is the most outstanding book I have seen of its kind. As a zookeeper and lover of primates, I have researched various books and have not found one as complete as this book. Most books only have pictures of some of the primates, whereas this book has at least one picture for each species. The information provided for each species is thorough, yet simlpy written making it much more enjoyable to read. I greatly recommend this book to anyone intersted in or researching primates. A great find.

By far the BEST
This guide to the living primates is by far the best guide I have come accross in my studies. The author has gone out of his way to photograph the subjuct animals in their natural environment, relying on captive photos only when absolutely nescessary. I find myself using this book over and over, both professionally and personally. The photos are beautiful and the write ups are concise and well written. I love the page on Homo sapiens, which has a mirror instead of a photo. The write up on the humans is amusing as well. All in all the best of its kind. I really need to purchase another, mine is falling apart simply from use. A must for any physical anthropology student, environmentalist or nature lover.

the best of its kind...
The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates is the most complete book of its kind that I've been able to dig up. Most others seem to go into great detail about SOME of the species, and give little or no mention about others. Rowe's book is very useful in that it will give at least some information about any known species. It is pricey, but in relation to other books about primates in general, this one is as close to being 'worth it' as they come.

Good information - poor quality photos
While I found this book to have very nice information that was well organized, the photos and the overall layout and design of the book left something to be desired. For a pictoral guide, the photos were very small, many appeared to have been scanned in at a less than adequate resolution and it was poorly laid out design-wise. Being a primatologist and a graphic designer, I praise the information presented, but think the photos are a disappointment. Also a bit overpriced I might add. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Track of the Grizzly
A shortened and less scientific version of the Craighead's classic study of the Yellowstone grizzlies. For any one who wants to know more about grizzlies, this book is a must!!!!

The REAL story of Grizzly Bears
A very well written and entertaining book about the Criaghead's multi yearstudy of the Grizzly Bears of the Yellowstone Eco system. The book whilewritten by a Biologist, is very entertaining and an easy (light)read....not a scientific paper.

If you want to understand what GrizzlyBears are REALLY like,and want to understand this interesting animal- thisis your book.

It's a great book to read if you visit the Yellowstonearea and are somewhat "Bear-a-phobic" as a result of thesensational bear attack books. I was reading this book in Yellowstone thissummer when I had my 1st bear incident in the 15 years I have been comingto the park. Armed with good information the "incident" became aninteresting encounter with another one of YNP's great animals.

This is abook worth buying and keeping in your library. ... Read more

Book Description

Middle grade students learn how 14 mammals are born, learn and mature. Each animal chapter is written from the point of view of thebaby mammal and is filled with both fun facts and solid science. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Book Review
The book, 'If My Mom Were A Platypus'was written by Dia L. Michels. It provides a nice introduction to 13 animals (including humans), and provides basic information regarding birth, growth, diet, and other interesting scientific facts. Written from the point of view of the newborn animal and it's mother, the book is targeted towards upper elementary and middle school audiences. However, it can be enjoyed by younger children. It makes a good family readaloud and can be used for basic research. The illustrations are realistic and colorful, and the book includes a glossary and index.

Entrancing and Educational
If My Mom Were A Platypus is an entrancing children's book covering all sorts of animal babies-platypus, koala, lion, orangutan, whale, shrew and more. The beautifully-illustrated text pulls in children by pretending they are the baby. If My Mom Were A Platypus describes in detail how different babies eat, learn, grow and mature. This fact-loaded book delights both adults and children and is extraordinarily hard to put down. Even the ending is superb. Includes glossary and index and highlights endangered or threatened species. Activity guides are available at PlatypusMedia.com. Perfect for school or home use. Ages 4-adult.

A Great Book For Kids!
My three year old daughter loves this book. The book tells how different mammals are born, nursed, grow, eat, etc. It is really fascinating [I found it very interesting myself]. While the book is long and written for a much older audience, it still held my young daughter's attention [though we read only a few pages at a time]. The book is very educational and would be especially nice for families who breastfeed. It ends with the birth of a human mammal and tells how the baby is born and nursed and grows etc. This is a really neat book! ... Read more

Book Description

Your guide to finding elk, calling elk, and hunting elk with a rifle, bow and arrow, or a camera. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Elk Talk
Elk Talk is a very informative book, which I have found to be very useful and has given me ideas for the upcoming archery season. Mark Henckel and Don Laubach seem to have all there hunting ideas together and are very experinced on the topic of elk calling wether it be for hunting or for enjoyment. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to be a more succesful hunter or just enjoys the world of elk.

Elk hunting guide
I read Elk Hunter about 4 years ago and found it to be a vital part to my elk hunting library. This books gives many ideas and strategies that will pay off when your chasing those majestic elk around. I have used some of the tactics that are mentioned in the book and found them to be quite useful at times. They cover a lot of ground in this book and I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking to start elk hunting . Ever since I read this book I have harvested 4 bulls in 4 years. Do I owe it all to the book you ask? No way. Hard work and leg work is something you have to do by yourself. I would also like to say that this book does not get into the bow hunting side and that was something I just had to deal with. So if your a person who would like to know about elk and the habits then this book will suit your needs just fine.

Elk hunting guide
I read Elk Hunter about 4 years ago and found it to be a vital part to my elk hunting library. This books gives many ideas and strategies that will pay off when your chasing those majestic elk around. I have used some of the tactics that are mentioned in the book and found them to be quite useful at times. They cover a lot of ground in this book and I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking to start elk hunting . Ever since I read this book I have harvested 4 bulls in 4 years. Do I owe it all to the book you ask? No way. Hard work and leg work is something you have to do by yourself. I would also like to say that this book does not get into the bow hunting side and that was something I just had to deal with. So if your a person who would like to know about elk and the habits then this book will suit your needs just fine. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date field guide to the mammals of North America. Written by two leading authorities, no other reference covers all resident species north of Mexico, mammals large and small. With full-color illustrations for every one of the 442 species, Mammals of North America shows the user how to identify any mammal encountered, from mouse to moose, bat to baleen whale, Abert's Squirrel to the Yuma Myotis.

The core of the book consists of 108 color plates featuring exceptionally detailed mammal illustrations. Each species is depicted on these plates, with subspecies, geographic, and sexual variation portrayed whenever relevant. The artwork is supplemented by maps showing present range and by a short paragraph of text highlighting key identification characteristics and relevant aspects of the animal's behavior and ecology. All the artwork, maps, and text for a species are on two facing pages, eliminating the need to flip through the book to learn about an animal. Mammal signs are often more easily found than the animals themselves, so illustrations of tracks and scat are also included.

North America's mammal fauna is one of the best documented in the world, and the authors have scoured the continent's outstanding mammalogy literature to make this book as accurate and up-to-date as possible. Amateur naturalists will appreciate the complete coverage, detailed range maps, and outstanding artwork; professionals will welcome the inclusion of subspecies variation and the illustration of obscure traits crucial in distinguishing some pairs of similar species. This spectacular guide is the definitive one-volume resource on the mammals of a vast and tremendously varied continent.

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108 color plates with illustrations for all 442 of North America's mammal species north of Mexico
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Subspecies, geographic, and sexual variation depicted when relevant
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Artwork is supplemented on facing pages by range maps and by concise text noting key identification traits and relevant aspects of behavior and ecology
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Tracks and scat illustrated as well
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Well-documented, accurate, and completely up-to-date

Reviews (8)

A disappointment
I'd looked forward to this book for a long time, but now that it's here, I'm not so sure I'm going to get rid of my Burt and Grossenheider. My current favorites among the Rodentia--packrats and grasshopper mice--are painted so badly here as to be unrecognizable, as biologically accurate as Du"rer's rhinoceros but without anything like the artistic interest. What's really disappointing, though, is that with this book available, I can't imagine another mammal guide appearing for years to come.

Title and description are misleading and inaccurate
The last time I checked, North America includes Mexico. The book does not, as advertised, show illustrations of all species of North American mammals; species found only south of the Rio Grande are not included. Just once I would like to see a guide to North Ameican mammals that really covers all of North America.

Accurate, up-to-date, easy to use guide
The new guide book by Kays and Wilson is a great resource for identifying the mammals of North America. The old Peterson mammal guide book is badly out of date, both with respect to range and taxonomy. For example, it lists Grizzly Bear and Wolverine as residing in Colorado, when neither species has been sighted in the state in nearly 30 years. The new Kays and Wilson book also places the range map on the same page as the species description, which is MUCH more useful than placing all of the maps collectively in the back of the book (as is done with Peterson). The illustrations are sharp and the descriptions concise; everything that you would want in a field guide. The book also includes supplemental sections on tracks, scat and surface profiles for marine mammals (all of which are missing from the old Peterson mammal book).

A continents answer to mammal identification
The long awaited new field guid is out and I was able to get a copy. The first up to date treatment of all 442 North American mammals lies in front of me. I'm involved in mustelid research for the last ten years and when the pre-announcement came out, saying that all relevant subspecies, geographical and sexual variation to be included it was a must for me to get a copy.
I think in a coloured field guide the painted plates are the most important and hence most discussable part of such a book. My mood after carefully checking the guide is a little bit neutral as I don't know if it is well done or a catastrophy due to unbelivable bad "art" included in parts. Two illustrators made a fantastic job. Both have their own differnt stile and I can't decide if one is the better. Todd Zalewski painted the Opossum, Armadillo, Porcupine, Sewellel, Muskrat, Beaver, Marmots and all the squirrel relatives except the Chipmunks as well as the vole-lemming relatives in a briliant, colourfull and sharp art. The impression of the faces of especially the rodents results in indepth studies of these mammals. Great in a word ! Elizabeth McClelland was responsible for Gophers, Pocket Mice, Kangaroo Rats and the Ungulates. Her paintings are less colourfull and less sharp in contrasts but are brilliant due to her exact way of leading the brush when creating fur structure. When looking into the painted eyes you could think her candidates will jump out of the plates emediately. Brilliant ! Her talent is especially shown by some painting of gophers which were painted from a slight forewart angle.
What is strongly influencing the complete result are plates which show the complete opposite. If you are interested in Hares and Rabbits, Pikas, Jumping Mice, Woodrats, Rats and Grasshopper Mice don't buy this book ! A person called Ron Klingner made them. If you remember the film "Braindead" and the Devilmonkey you have an impression of what I'm talking about. One hardly can imagin if this guy ever had something to do with art or natural painting. Sorry, but words are missing. If shrews and moles are your favourit mammals you also should rethink your amazon order. Nancy Halliday sent her candidates either in a body building studio or fed those tiny animals untill fatt roles are visible through the fur. To me proportions also seem to be questionably. However, her chipmunks are better done.
But back to one of the promisses mentioned above and my particular interest im mustelids. It is a shame that for species with a lot of fur variation like the Long-tailed weasel or the Marten there is not much to get from the new guide. Although Martes americana varies from nearly blackish to light yellowish specimens there is only a tiny 4x3 cm drawing of one specimen in one corner of the relevant plate. Not to mention the more than two dozen subspecies of Mustela frenata to be found in North America. In general the carnivore plates are dissappointing although they are better than the Klingner caricatures. I would have wished that "Fisher-Powel" had discussed the artistric interpretation of the carnivores with his wife. In fact it seemed that he did so only concerning his favoured species which is quite well done.
To come to an end: Two artists have made a spectacular good job but I really asked myselfe who is to be made responsible for the inclusion of these desastrous plates by Mr. Ron Klingner who should get back to his work in painting undercups, vases or animal comics.

Kay Fuhrmann

Peterson Field Guide is stil the standard
Based on the favorable reviews I ordered this book and was anxious to see how it compared with the Peterson Field Guide on mammals which is the current standard. I was disappointed in this book and wonder if other people who give it 5-stars are familiar with the Peterson Guide. The Peterson Field Guide on Mammals provides more comprehensive information on each species and does a better job of explaining differences between similar species. It remains the standard and you would be advised to buy that title if you were looking for just one book on mammals. If you are a naturalist like me and love having as many titles as is reasonably possible, then by all means buy this book to add to your collection.

Besides the species accounts which are not as comprehensive as the Peterson Guide the biggest complaint about this book is the illustrations. Color plates were completed by SEVEN different artists making for very uneven treatment. Some of the species look cartoonish while others don't do the species justice. For example, the Woodchuck appears mostly bald which is a persitent criticism I have of the artist of this particular plate. All of his animals look like they are losing their fur. Additionally, the Woodchuck looks paunchy and more black than is typical. The Porcupine looks wildly unkempt and unlike ones I have seen in the wild. The illustration of the Eastern Cottontail on Plate 11, a species for which almost everyone in eastern North America is familiar, looks like it has been injured with a case of whiplash (and possibly a neck brace on as the neck is stiffly extended) and an injured front right paw. By comparison, the Peterson Guide was illustrated by one artist who captured each species very well.

I could provide more comments, but I think you get the point. Also, many US readers will be uncomfortable using the metric system weights and measurements. So, buy the Peterson Guide to Mammals if you are just going to have one mammals field guide. If you want more than one, then buy this one as well. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Good mea culpa
This book had to be written by the Leakeys if for no other reason than to rescue their reputations. For years, the Leakey family - mom, pop, son - were the last word on the topic of mankind's beginnings. As such they got most of it right but missed a few things.

This book does not go into detail on all the scientific fist fights that occurred between the Kenyan crew and others in the field, notably the discoverers of "Lucy". This discovery more than anything else caused a revision in our previous thinking, forcing us to step back further in time. The upswing was that the findings served notice that the Leakeys were wrong in a few respects. This nook is an attempt to "rework" the evidence presented in the original "Origins". Crammed with pictures, illustrations, charts and presented in that always entertaining style/

A good book
This book covers in details the exciting discovery of Turkana boy, a nearly complete junvenile H. erectus skeleton. Although a little limited in scope (look for other books for a good overview of the current state of human evolution) it does a great job of detailing the discovery and its significance. Leakey also does a good job of trying to peer into the minds of these primitive hominids, examining their intellect, speech, compassion, etc. in the last several chapters and what makes us who we are. This book however is more of description of the discovery than anything else, as shown by the considerable amount of space dedicated to the descriptions of the area and the sequence of events leading to the discovery and excavation. Overall a good book with some good anthropology in it and also an exciting depiction of the discovery.

A book well worth considering
Richard Leakey introduced millions to the evolution of humanity in his first "Origins", but over the years it had inevitably become outdated. This book is less dramatic but far more complete scientifically, and is an essential read for anyone who wants to keep up with our past. Moreover, where the first book tended toward philosophical speculation, in this one he builds theory on facts; where before he focused on his own views with little discussion of other researchers, in this one he quotes them with the dilligence of a reporter. Where the first book was often gramatically infuriating, this one has the polished language and clearly stated logic that make learning complex concepts seem effortless.

Best of all, this time he takes us along on the adventure of discovery. Leakey is no closeted academic; he can find food and water as the ancient hunter-gatherers did, with no modern tools, in what looks to the untrained eye like a dry wasteland. He understands the politics of the illegal ivory trade as well as the interpretation of fossils. He was not stopped in either his explorations of human origins or his quest to save African wildlife by years of kidney failure, near-fatal pneumonia, death threats from poachers, or even the loss of his legs in a plane crash. He covers the science in full detail, yet the reader has a sense of immediacy one never gets from the academic literature. We are parties to acrimonious debate and feel the thrill of pouncing on the apparent error of a rival. We spend months in the bush, and are immersed in a lifelong search that yields, after innumerable frustrations, to the occasional astonishing discovery.

There are a few shortcomings; Leakey glosses over some of the points he made eloquently in the first book which turned out, in retrospect, to be radically incorrect. The photographs, critical to understanding the discussion, are grouped together and hard to relate to the appropriate text, and the critical diagrams of the human evolutionary tree are small and difficult to read. But overall, the theory is so cogently explained, and the narrative has such a sense of realism, that we feel we could do it ourselves, flying over the Great Rift, sifting through ancient sand and rock, pushing back the frontiers of time to discover ourselves.

A conversation with a master
I found this book both enchanting and informative; not academic, but personal. This is probably the next best thing to sitting around a campfire on a dig, and listing to the shop talk about what's going on.

The reconstruction of social necessities from the fossil record is excellently done. The lesson regarding (the lack of) directed-ness in evolutionary trajectory should not be missed. The human evolutionary tree has become the evolutionary bush, with mostly dead branches. One might speculate on the fate of current primate relatives given the fate of Homo Neandertalensis, Homo Heidelbergensis and Homo Erectus, all existing when Homo Sapien emerged. Additionally, the example of persistent coevolution of related anatomic or ontogenetic phenotypic expressions such as lengthening childhood, larger mature female birth canals and expanding brain size represent evolutionary puzzles with more than a touch of mystery.

A quest for who we are
If you've never read Leakey, start with this book. This well conceived and finely crafted work should grace any library. Bringing skillful research and writing skills to relating the evidence of human origins, Leakey and Lewin demonstrate why this team has been so successful. More than simply technical skills are visible here. There's a strong sense of humanity applied here to everything from flying an aircraft to preparing a specimen for appraisal. A major element in Leakey's presentation is his willingness to revise his opinions in the face of new evidence

Leakey once suffered from 'lack of credentials' in his work as an paleoanthropologist. Drawn to this work by a fascination with our past instead of by an academic background, he's shamed his critics with stunning finds, excellent logic in assessing their value, and the presentation talents shown here. The lack of academic constraints frees him to bring fossils to life in speculative scenarios no schooled scientist would dare. He does it here with plausible accounts of our ancestors possible lifestyles. The guild scientists may complain that 'there isn't enough evidence' to draw these scenes, but Leakey is careful to point to the evidence, drawing many elements together to produce these scenes. They are vivid and thought provoking in portrayal and need no more defense than that. And they are supported by fine illustrations of many aspects of paleoanthropology.

Leakey's examination of language development occupies a significant part of his discourse. These arguments are worthy of your close inspection. Verbal communication has long been viewed as the sole distinction between humans and the other animals. Leakey shows how even this feature cannot be considered a sharp demarcation. He examines the function of language over the course of human evolution, concluding that language and our oversize brains result from a continuous feedback loop.

There are few shortcomings in this book. Foremost is a lack of bibliography [yes, this remains a shortcoming even while defending Leakey's 'non-academic' background]. It would be nice to further pursue details of some of the contentious issues. Lewin's own BONES OF CONTENTION makes a fine starting point. It lacks however, any mention of Owen Lovejoy's thesis on bipedalism related in Johanson's LUCY, the most succinct depiction of human evolution in print. Leakey uses Harry Jerison as a source for brain/language interaction, but you'll look long to find Jerison's BRAIN SIZE AND THE EVOLUTION OF MIND. The lack of a reading list can be overcome with a bit of work on your part. There are many good titles available and the effort will expand your view of our origins. Start here, you will not find many other works that will touch your own humanity as closely as this one does. ... Read more

Book Description

North America's fastest mammal, the pronghorn can accelerate explosively from a standing start to a top speed of 60 miles per hour--but it can also cruise at 45 miles per hour for many miles. What accounts for the speed of this extraordinary animal, a denizen of the American outback, and what can be observed of this creature's way of life? And what is it like to be a field biologist dedicating twenty years to studying this species? In Built for Speed, John A. Byers answers these questions as he draws an intimate portrait of the most charismatic resident of the American Great Plains.

The National Bison Range in western Montana, established in 1908 to snatch bison from the brink of extinction, also inadvertently rescued the largest known remnant of Palouse Prairie. It is within this grassland habitat--home to meadowlarks, rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep, coyotes, elk, snipe, and a panoply of wildflowers--that Byers observes the pronghorn's life from birth to death (a life often as brief as four days, sometimes as long as fifteen years) and from season to season. Readers will also experience the vicarious pleasures of a biologist who is eager to race a pronghorn in his truck, scrutinize bison dung through binoculars, and peer through the gathering dusk of a rainy evening to count the display dives of snipe.

A vivid and memorable tale of a first-rate scientist's twenty-year encounter with a magnificent animal, the story of the pronghorn is also a reminder of the crucial role we can play in preserving the fleeting life of the native American grassland.

Reviews (1)

Built with brilliance
Byers is a first class scientist and he writes really well. It is rare to see a naturalist book written with so much verve. A good read that begs the reader to think at least as much of the human condition as the pronghorn condition. Send this one to all your naturalist buddies. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Exciting and sometimes hilarous natural history book
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book! In it, mammalogist Tim Flannery regales us with tales from his many years in New Guinea, searching for new species of mammals on the island, the second largest in the world. A difficult island to work in - highly mountainous; extremely few roads, most villages so isolated that they can only be reached by small planes flying to landing strips hacked out of the jungle; parts of it some of the rainiest spots on earth, some areas receiving 11 meters or more of rain a year; possessing many dangerous animals ranging from crocodiles to snakes to huge spiders; tropical diseases and parasites a real problem in many areas (including malaria and scrub typhus, from which Flannery almost died from when bit by an infected tick) ' Flannery had his work cut out for them as he spent over two decades on the island, both in the eastern half, the independent nation of Papua New Guinea, and the western section, Irian Jaya, part of Indonesia.

Flannery is a highly accomplished scientist, having discovered 16 new species of mammals in Melanesia, many of them in New Guinea. Many of these and others are described in the book, and make for fascinating reading. We meet the Black-tailed Giant-rat, the bite from its two centimeter long razor sharp incisors much feared by the inhabitants of the island. The Three-striped Dasyure, a vividly marked rat-sized marsupial predator, one of New Guinea's few mammals active during daylight hours. The Snow Mountains Robin, one of the rarest birds in the world, found in the high alpine regions of the Meren Glacier in Irian Jaya, one of the very few equatorial glaciers in the world. _Antechinus, a small carnivorous marsupial notable in that the male only lives for 11 months, existing only to breed. The diminutive, dingo-like New Guinea singing dog, which arrived in the islands some 2,000 years ago. The six o'clock cicada, a tremendously loud insect that received its name from its trill it emits roughly 6am and 6pm daily. The famous Birds of Paradise, breathtaking in their beauty, several species of which are extremely rare. He also describes the Long-fingered Triok, a black and white skunk smelling possum with the fourth finger of each hand a great elongated probe for finding insect larvae; you never know what he is going to find next lurking in the barely explored misty peaks and dripping jungles of the island.

Three of the most remarkable animals are ones that Flannery discovered or in one case rediscovered. One is _Maokopia ronaldi_, an extinct marsupial herbivore that once dwelt in the high mountain forests. Panda-like in appearance, size, and probably habits, Flannery named this new genus and species from fossils he found in Irian Jaya. Bulmer's Fruit-bat, a bat though extinct for 12,000 years, the largest cave dwelling bat in the world, Flannery was elated to have found them alive in extremely rugged western Papua New Guinea. The one though that Flannery is the most proud of discovering was the Dingiso, a new species of tree-kangaroo he found in the alpine areas of Irian Jaya, a beautiful black and white animal, surprising tame, threatened but fortunately partially protected by native taboos against harming them.

However, as remarkable as all of that is, one could argue that the real stars of this book are the people of New Guinea, particularly the indigenous Melanesian peoples that Flannery spends a great deal of time with and clearly loves. Much of his time researching in the field he was based out of the villages of such people as the Wopkaimin, the Telefol, and the Goilala where he became fast friends with many throughout the island, in both countries, viewing them not as savage barbarians, but as noble, often quite kind people, their older generation vast repositories of cultural and natural history lore. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the books were the many stories about life in those villages, some of the tales tragic, others heartwarming, and many hilarious.

Particularly fascinating was what he wrote about the history of cannibalism on the island. Apparently it did exist in the not too distant past, actually in the living memory of some of the villagers he encountered. Though not an every day occurrence by any means, cannibalism was an important part of New Guinea life; indeed, one group Flannery spent some time with, the Miyanmin, were once avid raiders, and actually referred to the neighboring Atbalmin people as 'bokis es bilong miplea,' which more or less translates into something like 'our refrigerator.' Though cannibalism is now a thing of the past, its effects are still felt he writes, as villages once got some of their population from raids of other villages, the adults of that village were consumed and the children raised as their own; now, that is no longer a source of new people for villages and some are facing some depopulation as a result.

Flannery sounds several cautionary notes in his book. Several species of New Guinea mammals and birds are in serious danger of extinction from over hunting. Though New Guinea is still a land largely without roads, more and more appear all the time, opening up virgin lands for hunters, loggers, and miners. Indeed in Irian Jaya the latter two are devastating ever larger sections of the island; the massive Freeport mine, which exports over ten million dollars worth of minerals daily, has destroyed large sections of forest with waste mine tailings.

He also worries about the future of the people, particularly in Irian Jaya. He believes that in an attempt to make that land more like the rest of Indonesia it is causing not only environmental damage but also cultural damage. Indeed there are concerns over human rights abuses in Irian Jaya, of dissidents disappearing, of remote villagers forced to wear modern clothing and abandon their pig eating culture by distant Muslim politicians, who often find native culture abhorrent.

Recommended.

Brilliant and fascinating natural history
Tim Flannery, whose been called the Australian Stephen Jay Gould, is a terrific writer. In this book he describes his trips to Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea to collect biological specimens. However, this book is so much more -- he tells all about the people he encounters, his life, his work. This reads like an adventure story told by a sophisticated, interesting man. I really loved this book -- if you're interested in Natural History, the South Pacific or man's study of his surroundings than you'll have a great time reading Flannery's book!!

Heights of discovery
If Tim Flannery isn't the luckiest biologist in the world, then perhaps he's the hardest working. He possesses a spirit of adventure that may exceed both. His twenty years of exploring the mysteries of New Guinea are superbly outlined and related in this engaging account. Although a mammalogist by profession, his interests range far beyond any academic discipline. We follow his efforts to meet and gain acceptance by the remote peoples of the New Guinea highlands. They are a diverse lot, and every new contact is fraught with uncertainty. He introduces us to the teasing pleasures of New Guinea pidgin, a language adopted by indigineous peoples to cross the nearly 1 000 languages that exist on the island.

Throwim' Away Leg, New Guinean pidgin for a journey, is an appropriate title for this book. Flannery's 15 long-term expeditions took him over most of the island, meeting the people, tracking animals and assessing the changes in the ecology. It is difficult, in this jet travel age to comprehend the impact of "remote people," but Flannery has done it. He's adept at sharing the wonder he felt in his travels. We feel his fears, his joys of discovery, his sadness at the incursion of industrial civilization in an unprepared land. Flannery's account is given with an astonishing detachment. He recognizes the needs of both the indigenous people and the invaders. Cannibalism, so abhorrent to "civilized" readers, is placed in its true framework as viewed by the New Guinean mountain peoples. He's aware of the population pressures on local resources among the tribes, not excusing, but imparting rare understanding of the reality of life in wilderness.

The author's love of wildlife is made clear throughout the book. An encounter with three-metre-long python that tried desperately to throttle him is related with incredible compassion. One can only sympathize with the pilot and passengers who shared the cockpit of a small aircraft with it on its journey to Port Moresby. Flannery's real feelings, however, are for the varieties of tree kangaroos living on the island. He asserts the high point of his travels was the classification of a rare black and white species of this creature. High point, indeed! Three
thousand metres up in the New Guinean highlands, local hunters brought him the chewed remains of two "Dingisios" - enough to identify and describe this rare animal.

Flannery's enthusiasms and vivid desriptive powers make this book an unforgettable read. His descriptions of the impact of outsiders, from both East and West, portray a land under immense stress. Not only Western mining and lumber companies, who have seared the landscape with roads, mines and felling, but Indonesia's settlement programmes come under his penetrating gaze. He recognizes their needs, but urges better forms of accomodation are required. The biological story is conveyed well integrated with social, political and environmental issues. An all-encompassing study, this book will give the reader many fresh insights and topics for further reflection.

A facinating journey through a facinating land!
One of my friends gave me this book and KNEW that I was going to love it. Well, he was right on target. This book is an anthropological delight! I prided myself in my knowledge of the animal kingdom...till I read this book.

Tim Flannery has a humble way about him and it reflects in this book for sure. The journeys and adventures that he undertook are not for the faint of heart. He is a true scientist that earns my kudos!

Anyone interested in broadening their horizons and is open to concepts that would shake your core beliefs (unless you have already read Dr. Flannery's books) should read it.

A facinating journey through a facinating land!
One of my equally mad friends gave me this book and KNEW that I was going to love it. Well, he was right on target. This book is an anthropological delight! I prided myself in my knowledge of the animal kingdom...till I read this book.

Tim Flannery has a humble way about him and it reflects in this book for sure. The journeys and adventures that he undertook are not for the faint of heart. He is a true scientist that earns my kudos!

Anyone interested in broadening their horizons and is open to concepts that would shake your core beliefs (unless you have already read Dr. Flannery's books) should read it. ... Read more