Book reviews

As an occasional feature in Wild Cornwall, we review three recently published books that members might enjoy.

Great British Marine AnimalsGreat British Marine Animals

By Paul Naylor

Sound Diving Publications 2003, ISBN 095228314X, £14

At first glance, the vivid colours and amazing life forms would lead you to believe that this is a guidebook to the tropical sealife of coral reefs and far-off places. But this is not so. Paul Naylor's excellent new book. Great British Marine Animals, reveals the rich variety of life that lives in the colder waters around our shores.

The 350 large colour photographs not only enable you to identify each creature, but also tell a story of how they live and their behaviour. The text is informative/ easy to read, with many natural history observations from the author's 30 years experience exploring Britain's waters.

This is a highly recommended book, beautifully presented and a great buy for anyone interested in the sea and its wildlife, not just the expert.

Review by Ruth Williams, Marine Conservation Officer

Cornwall SeasonsCornwall Seasons

By Roy Phillips

Halsgrove, Tiverton 176 pp
ISBN 1 84114 191 7, £19.95

This is at once a guidebook, and the story of a personal quest. Roy Phillips sets out to take in the width and breadth of Cornwall because he loves it and is fascinated by it. The book is made personal by the author's own experience of having been here and planning to continue being here for the rest of his life.

This book contains a set of excellent photographs for each of the seasons. The style is poetic, showing us what is there and inviting us to meet it half way with our imagination. Readers are challenged to open their eyes to the tremendous treasure in the landscape and seascape.

The author gives a hands-on description of every experience one can have of wildlife here, from birds, to pond life, to seashore. It is an essential read for anyone, especially the couch potato who will find motivation and energy in every word. There is no shortage of scientific information in this story, told with such authority that only someone who knows Cornwall and the people inside it could be the author.

I recommend this book. It is a signpost to something to do/ somewhere to go and to what you could see on any day of the year in a place near you!

Review by Cait Hutchings, Penryn

Wild Flowers of Britain & IrelandWild Flowers of Britain & Ireland

By Marjorie Blarney, Richard Fitter and Alastair Fitter

A&C Black, London, 2003, 482 pp/ ISBN 0-7136-5944-0, £16.99

This brilliant new field guide to wild flowers is written and illustrated by the most eminent of experts. Richard Fitter, now in his ninety-first year, has provided an outstandingly .clear description of each plant (arranged principally in scientific order of families). The book is made extra special by the superb new paintings by Marjorie Blarney, full of rich detail, and the little distribution maps for each species by Richard Fitter's son Alistair, himself a Professor of Biology. Also included; a full-page map showing the soils of Britain and Ireland, an easy to read introduction, an illustrated glossary and indexes of scientific and English names.

This wealth of information is packed into a volume just small enough to take out and about in the countryside. Best of all, it will be of use to everyone, from the complete beginner to the experienced naturalist. A treasure to have on your shelf or by your side.

Review by Rowena Millar, Editor, Wild Cornwall