Autumn: A Season of Change

by Peter J. Marchand

An expert on winter now turns his talents to autumn, a season of beauty and change. Author of the award-winning Life in the Cold, Peter J. Marchand examines the natural and biological phenomena of fall. With Marchand as your guide, fall becomes much more than trees turning, killing frosts, birds migrating, and invigorating crisp weather. Dig under the fallen leaves and heavy mists with him to discover a vibrant world. Readers learn the whys and wherefores of these events, but much much more, as Marchand answers questions most non-specialists have about how and why such changes and adaptations occur.
Though autumn may appear to be primarily a transitional season, he shows how many remarkable and essential natural processes happen routinely only during this period. He describes such topics as timekeeping in plants and animals, food hoarding, seed dispersal, and animal mating behavior among the large mammals of the North. The book is organized by theme rather than by species, so that similar adaptation mechanisms of different species can be compared and contrasted.
Marchand has a demonstrated skill in making scientific facts easily understood, while also conveying the beauty and wonder of what he describes. Also an accomplished photographer, his many beautiful full-page photographs show unusual aspects of the season.

Genres: Nature, Natural History, Nonfiction, Science

214 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Trish Harrington]

This is a great read on the natural history of all things autumn. I used to get a little depressed in Autumn, knowing what comes next is the dark days of winter. The author describes the myriad of changes that occur in nature in preparation for winter, and even, awaiting the coming spring. I highly recommend this read. I had no thought about fallen leaves on a microscopic level and how even before a leaf falls to the ground, it is ready to begin its journey into soil. I have a new appreciation for fall leaves. The author also addresses migration of animals, birds, butterflies, hibernation and preparations of animals and insects for the big sleep. I enjoyed this book and have reread segments often in fall, to remind myself that although I get down about the coming of winter, I can still appreciate fall a little bit more. I think about the important things that are happening back stage, so to speak, preparing for sleep and eventually, the grand debut, the great reawakening of nature in spring.