The Aurelian's Fireside Companion
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 4:26 pm
The Aurelian's Fireside Companion
An Entomological Anthology
I've just treated myself to this wonderful book by Michael A Salmon & Peter J Edwards; it's a collection of 200 notes, letters and articles gleaned from British entomological journals from the past 200 years or so.
In the words of the author's - "It's a celebration of the joys and frustrations experienced by collectors of butterflies and moths".
This book is a limited edition of 1000 copies, it's certainly no lightweight tome, either physically or content wise, indeed the author's stress it's text is non scientific and the very title would suggest a book that you can simply dip into time and time again..."ideally in a comfortable armchair by the fireside in winter" writes Peter Marren in his foreword for the book. I've only read a few of the 425 pages as yet, but I instinctively know I'm going to simply love this book, how could I not when it comes from the same pedigree as The Aurelian Legacy (another heartily recommended tome).
The famous names of entomology abound throughout the book; Newman, Stainton, Tutt, Leeds, Frowhawk, Allen, Baron Charles de Worms, Rothschild et al. Clergymen, high-ranking military men, professors of medicine and the ordinary amateur lepidopterist are all included in a pot-pourri of anecdote, gossip, reminiscences and even entomological fraud (never I hear you all cry - but tis' true!). I believe this fascinating book has something to offer even the most seasoned naturalist, just take a look at that superb cover by the artist/illustrator Tim Bernhard, it evokes all the summer of a butterfly meadow even allowing for the free artistic licence the artist has released; swallowtails, marbled white, peacock and fritillary all fly freely on this delightful cover. Include many dozens, no! - many scores of pictures and illustrations throughout and you have the recipe for an award winning book, which it most certainly should be...and most probably is (I'm not sure).
Before I leave you all wondering how you can afford not to get this book...I bought mine from Pemberley Books (via Amazon Marketplace) at the exceedingly good price of £20 plus postage & packing @ £2.80 that's pretty good eh!
I'm giving this a Willrow Star Rating of 6 out of 5 - however numbers never was my strong suit
Buy this excellent book, I simply can't put mine down...and now what page was I on... 
Bill
An Entomological Anthology
I've just treated myself to this wonderful book by Michael A Salmon & Peter J Edwards; it's a collection of 200 notes, letters and articles gleaned from British entomological journals from the past 200 years or so.
In the words of the author's - "It's a celebration of the joys and frustrations experienced by collectors of butterflies and moths".
This book is a limited edition of 1000 copies, it's certainly no lightweight tome, either physically or content wise, indeed the author's stress it's text is non scientific and the very title would suggest a book that you can simply dip into time and time again..."ideally in a comfortable armchair by the fireside in winter" writes Peter Marren in his foreword for the book. I've only read a few of the 425 pages as yet, but I instinctively know I'm going to simply love this book, how could I not when it comes from the same pedigree as The Aurelian Legacy (another heartily recommended tome).
The famous names of entomology abound throughout the book; Newman, Stainton, Tutt, Leeds, Frowhawk, Allen, Baron Charles de Worms, Rothschild et al. Clergymen, high-ranking military men, professors of medicine and the ordinary amateur lepidopterist are all included in a pot-pourri of anecdote, gossip, reminiscences and even entomological fraud (never I hear you all cry - but tis' true!). I believe this fascinating book has something to offer even the most seasoned naturalist, just take a look at that superb cover by the artist/illustrator Tim Bernhard, it evokes all the summer of a butterfly meadow even allowing for the free artistic licence the artist has released; swallowtails, marbled white, peacock and fritillary all fly freely on this delightful cover. Include many dozens, no! - many scores of pictures and illustrations throughout and you have the recipe for an award winning book, which it most certainly should be...and most probably is (I'm not sure).
Before I leave you all wondering how you can afford not to get this book...I bought mine from Pemberley Books (via Amazon Marketplace) at the exceedingly good price of £20 plus postage & packing @ £2.80 that's pretty good eh!
I'm giving this a Willrow Star Rating of 6 out of 5 - however numbers never was my strong suit
Buy this excellent book, I simply can't put mine down...and now what page was I on... Bill
I'm sure you'll enjoy it immensely. Books such as this don't come by very often and do remember it's a limited edition.