www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers,

- Pete

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

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

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.

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

Sorry Pete I meant a signed copy of this book

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

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

Ordered!

Me too

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

Mines on its way

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

Mike Young wrote:Mines on its way

mine too

Denise

My book arrived today and I'm well pleased.

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