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The Spider
London, (195?), 8vo t.tela con sovr. ill. pp. 254 con 24 fig. n.t.
- GenresNonfiction
254 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1954
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2013
I read this book when it first came out as a paperback in the U.S. It cost me half my weekly allowance, all of $0.35. Its original title is The Life of the Spider1> and the paperback came out in 1954.
I've communicated with quite a few professional arachnologists, and many of them say it was the book that got them interested in spiders as their field of study.
The information is accurate, and the writing is beautiful. Spiders haven't changed much in the last few million years so I think you can dependably give it to any individuals old enough to notice with interest the fauna in their back yards.
I've communicated with quite a few professional arachnologists, and many of them say it was the book that got them interested in spiders as their field of study.
The information is accurate, and the writing is beautiful. Spiders haven't changed much in the last few million years so I think you can dependably give it to any individuals old enough to notice with interest the fauna in their back yards.
January 31, 2019
One of my favourite books.
Apparently designed to introduce the world of spiders to children aged 10-100, Crompton has taken every effort to draw the reader in, with personal, humorous anecdotes, evocative analogies, and highly vivid descriptions of these little creatures' unusual lives, and of the marvels of engineering they produce as a matter of course.
The author's enthusiasm, both for his subject and for the language he's using to describe it, is contagious; I've found this book a true joy to read.
Apparently designed to introduce the world of spiders to children aged 10-100, Crompton has taken every effort to draw the reader in, with personal, humorous anecdotes, evocative analogies, and highly vivid descriptions of these little creatures' unusual lives, and of the marvels of engineering they produce as a matter of course.
The author's enthusiasm, both for his subject and for the language he's using to describe it, is contagious; I've found this book a true joy to read.
March 6, 2022
"The Life of the Spider" is the answer to that question "What book has had the biggest impact on your life?" When I was about 10 years old, my dad found it in a box of books at a yard sale, pitched it on my bed and said "You might like this." He was right. It jump-started a lifelong love for the natural world, especially spiders, insects, and creepy-crawly things that most people disdain.
Crompton anthropomorphizes his 8-legged subjects to a degree that a "real" entomologist might find excessive, but it's exactly the right tone to snag a young reader's sympathy for them. Although the book was not written FOR young people, they'll enjoy the stories as much as adult readers.
Crompton anthropomorphizes his 8-legged subjects to a degree that a "real" entomologist might find excessive, but it's exactly the right tone to snag a young reader's sympathy for them. Although the book was not written FOR young people, they'll enjoy the stories as much as adult readers.
December 18, 2014
spiders are amazing. and so is this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews