false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165654350m/8362.jpg 8362 5 Over 2,000 species, from the tiny spider mite to the massive blue whale, are profiled in DK's astonishingly wonderful <I>Animal</I>, produced in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and more than 70 expert zoologists. To call this book "profusely illustrated" is to seriously underrepresent page after page of breathtaking photos capturing each creature in sharp images, thrumming with life. Even the page borders are covered with collages of animal skins to indicate which class of organisms is represented in that section--every inch of this heavy book is gorgeous.<p> Besides heft and beauty, <I>Animal</I> has authority. Editors-in-chief David Burnie and Don E. Wilson are top biologists, and they have assembled a crack team of consultants for each section of the book. For instance, Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography takes charge of the chapter on fishes, so all the classification, behavior, and distribution data is up-to-date and full of the kind of detail that comes from years of professional specialization. In addition to basic size, location, and status information, each animal gets a short, one- to two-paragraph description, enough to give a feel for the creature:<p> <blockquote> The blackfin icefish produces a natural "antifreeze," enabling it to survive in the subzero waters of the Antarctic. It lacks red blood cells and hence looks rather pale, but has excellent blood circulation, and a strong heart which weighs as much as that of a small mammal. Its large, toothy mouth led to it being called the crocodile fish by 19th-century whalers. </blockquote><p> Biodiversity has never been more at the forefront of biologists' concerns, and <I>Animal</I> reports on the issues critical to ecology, from habitat loss to the species that are most endangered within each class. <p> This book is an ideal browsing reference for all experience levels, as well as a delightful addition to the collection of any animal enthusiast or classroom. Of necessity, not all species are covered, but as a general source of information down to the genus level, <I>Animal</I> excels. Don't be put off by the price! Extraordinarily beautiful, biologically accurate, and packed with furry, feathery, finny, many-legged delights, <I>Animal</I> is one of the very best science books of 2001. <I>--Therese Littleton</I> 11309 2001 Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife total:38|5:27|4:8|3:2|2:1|1:0| 38 175 55 5 4 0 false false Sun Mar 29 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Mar 23 17:42:40 -0700 2009 Sun Mar 29 10:54:27 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Wed Nov 28 22:55:03 -0800 2007 Wed Nov 28 22:58:48 -0800 2007 5 0 false false Sat Dec 09 00:52:56 -0800 2006 Wed Apr 04 12:50:44 -0700 2007 5 0 false false Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 -0800 2006 Fri Jan 25 20:33:34 -0800 2008 Fri Jan 25 20:35:00 -0800 2008 5 0 false false Tue Dec 11 07:25:01 -0800 2007 Tue Jan 15 13:00:44 -0800 2008 4 0 false false Sat Oct 31 22:51:47 -0700 2009 Sat Oct 31 22:51:47 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Oct 23 10:50:43 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 23 10:50:43 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Mon Oct 19 18:10:32 -0700 2009 Mon Oct 19 18:10:44 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Tue Sep 08 11:45:46 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 08 11:43:54 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 08 11:45:46 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Jul 28 11:40:33 -0700 2009 Tue Jul 28 11:40:33 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Jul 14 14:37:41 -0700 2009 Tue Jul 14 14:37:41 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Jul 03 14:25:48 -0700 2009 Fri Jul 03 14:25:48 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sun Jun 21 20:42:40 -0700 2009 Sun Jun 21 20:42:40 -0700 2009 2 0 false false Mon Aug 03 05:30:50 -0700 2009 Sun Jun 21 08:08:32 -0700 2009 Mon Aug 03 05:30:50 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sat Jun 13 14:40:52 -0700 2009 Sat Jun 13 14:41:13 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Jun 09 06:37:35 -0700 2009 Tue Jun 09 06:37:35 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Mon May 11 12:03:55 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 12:05:04 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Fri Apr 17 22:53:00 -0700 2009 Fri Apr 17 22:53:00 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Apr 09 12:50:36 -0700 2009 Thu Apr 09 12:50:42 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Fri Mar 20 12:29:02 -0700 2009 Wed Mar 18 09:08:44 -0700 2009 Fri Mar 20 12:29:02 -0700 2009 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=8362