Adrian Riley's new book

alex mclennan · Post by **alex mclennan** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:01 pm

I went to the book launch this afternoon of Adrian Riley's new book, 'British and Irish Butterflies - the Complete Identification, Field and Site Guide to the Species, Subspecies and Forms'. The book should be in the shops in January.
Alex

jfish · Post by **jfish** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:35 am

Hello Alex

Did you get to see the book and what did you think of it??? Seen a very brief overview in this months BBC Wildlife magazine but no proper review of it.

Jfish

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:41 am

The publishers said they'd send me a copy as soon as it was available, but it's yet to turn up. Once it does, I'll read it and post a full review. If anyone else wants to post a review I'd be very happy to include it

Cheers,

- Pete

alex mclennan · Post by **alex mclennan** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:16 pm

I got one of the few available copies at the launch earlier this week. The publishers, who are based in Germany, arrived with a couple of suitcases full of books which were quickly taken up but it should be in the shops in January. Adrian is a close personal friend so clearly I would find it difficult to do an unbiased review.
Pete, I'll hopefully speak to him later today and I'll try to chase up your copy.
Alex

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:27 pm

Thanks Alex - I've emailed my contact at the publishers (awaiting reply)!

Cheers,

- Pete

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:47 pm

Alex,
I would love to see a few pages.
Would it be breaking some copyright rules to scan a few selected pages and post them here?

Amazon are taking advance orders for this at £33.25 with free P&P.

Pete - are you or your sponsors doing a better deal than this?
I hope so - I would rather buy from someone involved with butterflies.

Roger

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:31 pm

Thanks to Alex ... I've just spoken with Adrian, and he's popping a copy in the post tomorrow (he was offering to drive 150 miles to personally deliver it, but I'm working, unfortunately!).

I've already suggested to the publishers that they offer a discount for UK Butterflies visitors, but I've not heard back.

Sample pages will be included in the review - even if I have to scan them in (based on my philosophy of seeking forgiveness and not permission - otherwise nothing would get done!). But I'm hoping the publishers will "come through" and send me some high-quality scans of the book.

Watch this space - the book sounds superb given what Adrian has just told me about it.

Cheers,

- Pete

alex mclennan · Post by **alex mclennan** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:46 pm

Hi Roger
I'd love to but haven't got a clue how to!! It's as much as I can do to send posts here! But I can tell you that Pete's copy of the book is on its way to him so no doubt he'll do a review fairly soon.
Incidentally, Adrian Riley's last book, Arrivals and Rivals, is being serialised in the Daily Mail early in the new year. It is an account of a twitching year when he set out to be country's top lister. He beat all others and recorded a total of 381 species of bird. It's a fascinating account of the intense rivalry between the top twitchers and it is a great read.
Alex.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:51 am

Preliminary review here:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/reports_riley.php

for those that can't wait. I've emailed Adrian to get any corrections or misinterpretations I may have made, but believe he may be without email at the mo. I'll call him tomorrow before making public.

A wonderful book!

Cheers,

- Pete

Gruditch · Post by **Gruditch** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:01 pm

Sorry Pete I meant a signed copy of this book

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:18 pm

I'm trying to see if Adrian can come along and, if he's able to make it, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to do a signing!

Cheers,

- Pete

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:43 pm

I've just received details of a special offer on the book. See the bottom of the review page at:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/reports_riley.php

Cheers,

- Pete

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:41 am

Ordered!

Rogerdodge · Post by **Rogerdodge** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:47 am

Me too

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:08 pm

If any readers want to comment on, or review, the book - then please send me your thoughts, since I'd be happy to add them to the review page.

On a related note, I'd be interested in any "errata" that folks find in this "essential reference"

The only one I've found so far is:

- The grid reference for the Hebridean Small Heath near Kinlock, which says NM400002. This should be NG400002.

Cheers,

- Pete

Mike Young · Post by **Mike Young** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:20 pm

Mines on its way

alex mclennan · Post by **alex mclennan** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:43 pm

Today's Daily Mail carries a two page article (pp36/37) on Adrian's battle to beat Lee Evans to become the UK's top year lister, as documented in 'Arrivals and Rivals'. The book is certainly worth reading both from a naturalist's point of view and as a suspense filled 'thriller'.
Alex

Denise · Post by **Denise** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:07 am

Mike Young wrote:Mines on its way

mine too

Denise

Mike Young · Post by **Mike Young** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:41 pm

My book arrived today and I'm well pleased.

Denise · Post by **Denise** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:02 pm

My book has just arrived and I am very pleased with it.

I will bring it along to the UKB workshop and ask Adrian to sign it.

Thanks Alex and Pete for bringing attention to this fab book.

Denise