Book update
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:45 pm
OK. Ive been updating my ageing collection of natural history books. Recent acquisitons have been
The Wild Flower Key (Revised Edition) - How to identify wild plants, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland (Paperback) by Francis Rose (Author), Clare O'Reilly (Author updated edition) - Excellent guide although takes a while to get used to it if you're not a skilled botanist!
Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland ISBN: 0 9531399 0 5 -Steve Brooks, illustrated by Richard Lewington. Simply beautifully illustrated and easy to read book - revised 2002. Got mine directly from the publisher (British Wildlife Publishing) for £16. I chose this on basis of reviews and fact that it was Lewingtons illustrations which are frankly superb (non expert view - I just know what i like;-) )
Now I turn to finding an up-to-date book on butterflies. I don't go to Europe much however given the speed of global warming I thought having a British and European guide could come in handy sooner than later
. In another topic I said I was fortunate to own possibly the best butterfly book ever published: 'The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland' by J Thomas and R Lewington sadly out of print and not updated. I gather the distribution maps are for one are out of date - but not being an expert I have simply no idea of what is right or wrong! Looking on Amazon, I saw the 'Collins butterfy guide' updated and published in May this year is allegedly 'the most complete guide to butterflies of Britain and Europe' (-13: 9780007242344 hardback). It sounded perfect until I read reviews of errors etc on Amazon. I know there was another posting on this a few months back and I was wondering what the resident experts on here think of it now they have had time to acquire a copy/read it?
Alternatively, I considered the WildGuides 'Britain's Butterflies' Author(s): David Tomlinson and Rob Still ISBN: 1-903657-01-6 - I'm not normally a fan of photo only books as not ideal for identifiaction but there appear to be good reviews? Do you have this - its not expensive - but is it worth having? There are so many others too. Something that shows all stages - egg, larva, pupa/chrysalis, adult and foodplant may be ideal.
Anyone up to giving an overview book review? With Xmas coming up I'm getting my wish list for santa ready as I think I've been a good boy this year (Although I did have a squashed cabbage White in the grill of my car this week - I hope he will forgive me for this!)
Thanks
Mark
The Wild Flower Key (Revised Edition) - How to identify wild plants, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland (Paperback) by Francis Rose (Author), Clare O'Reilly (Author updated edition) - Excellent guide although takes a while to get used to it if you're not a skilled botanist!
Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland ISBN: 0 9531399 0 5 -Steve Brooks, illustrated by Richard Lewington. Simply beautifully illustrated and easy to read book - revised 2002. Got mine directly from the publisher (British Wildlife Publishing) for £16. I chose this on basis of reviews and fact that it was Lewingtons illustrations which are frankly superb (non expert view - I just know what i like;-) )
Now I turn to finding an up-to-date book on butterflies. I don't go to Europe much however given the speed of global warming I thought having a British and European guide could come in handy sooner than later
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Alternatively, I considered the WildGuides 'Britain's Butterflies' Author(s): David Tomlinson and Rob Still ISBN: 1-903657-01-6 - I'm not normally a fan of photo only books as not ideal for identifiaction but there appear to be good reviews? Do you have this - its not expensive - but is it worth having? There are so many others too. Something that shows all stages - egg, larva, pupa/chrysalis, adult and foodplant may be ideal.
Anyone up to giving an overview book review? With Xmas coming up I'm getting my wish list for santa ready as I think I've been a good boy this year (Although I did have a squashed cabbage White in the grill of my car this week - I hope he will forgive me for this!)
Thanks
Mark