Wildlife in the Garden has many characteristics in common with Gene's other writing. Some of the most enjoyable lines are his observations on human nature. Another characteristic of Gene's writing is the density. He packs many observations, facts, vignettes in each essay. This is not pulp fiction that you can bolt down in an afternoon. It is best taken in small bites and savored. This book is likely to have a long tenure in our private Imhof memorial library.

Lest you think the book is perfect (By the way Gene, thanks for the check) I do have a few *minor* quibbles.

A bibliography would have been a fine addition.

Some of the material seems to be a bit elementary. Many people who are starting to landscape for wildlife want a paint-by-numbers approach. Gene probably had to do that to serve their needs.

Gene tends to be a bit emphatic about The Right Way To Do Things, but that will only bother the feeble-minded. (I won't let it bother me. I won't let it bother me. I won't let it bother me.)

This book was first published in 1983. Gene's writing style has changed in that time. The book reads more smoothly when taken in sips and nibbles. But that is perfectly OK because this is the kind of book that wants to be read slowly.

Let me emphasize that these are *minor* quibbles and I enjoyed the book.

(Final note for those who are hooked up to public sewerage, the septic tank was invented by an engineer named Imhof)