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| Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature | 
| Author: Harry W. Greene
Publisher: University of California Press
Category: Book
List Price: $31.95
Buy New: $21.08
You Save: $10.87 (34%)
New (14) from $21.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 466084
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 365
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.3
Dimensions (in): 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0520224876
Dewey Decimal Number: 597
EAN: 9780520224872
ASIN: 0520224876
Publication Date: April 30, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: SHIPS from 5 locations based on your Zip Code and availability! (PA TN IN OR SC) *-* Gift Quality *-* Orders Processed Immediately! - We get your book to you Very Quickly! -L2356.11322
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 12 | | NEXT » |
Very Informative December 24, 2007
A well put view into the world of the serpent. It lays it out so even us laymans can understand it.
GREAT book! October 31, 2006
Though it is an old book (1997) it is still a really really good book, which I think is a MUST for everyone keeping snakes. Some things like the taxonomy and "rearfanged-anatimy" is outdated, but still there is a LOT of really good basic info on snakes to get in this book.
I have yet to find one book covering so many topics and give so much information in a easy-to-understand language.
It is also quite easy to read, though english is not your native language.
The book is made up of 3 parts, which again is divided in chapters.
Part one is "Lifestyle"
Some topics covered here is Classification, General biology, Feeding, Venomous snakes, Reproduction etc.
Part 2 is Diversity.
Here the different families like elapids, viperids, colubrids etc are covered.
Part 3 is Synthesis.
Here Greene write s about evolution and biogeography as well as a historic chaater where he discuss snakes in the past, present and future.
Furthermore there are 16 "special Topics" in the book. These are a few pages coverings topics like "Deadly colubrids and famous herpetologists "The coral snake mimicry problem" etc.
I, for one, would love to see an updated version of this fantastic book, since much has happend since '97.
This was my first "serious" snakebook and i have read it several times. Sometimes i still take it down from the shelf nd read my favorite chapters.
I highly recommend this for people who wants to know a little more than cage temperatures and humidity ;)
Excellent Book About Snakes August 15, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Snakes: The Evolution Of Mystery In Nature, is one of the best books on snakes I have ever owned. It is a classic right up there with Ditmars, Klauffeld, and Conant. The illustrations are flawless, and include many rarely seen species. The text is extremely well edited, with virtually no typos or spell-check misuse of words. Factually, the book is spot on, with no misidentified species, no incorrect references, and no gaffes. All of the information presented is up to date, and based on state-of-the-art research.
The author relates his personal experiences to introduce each chapter, evoking at-the-scene imagery, and lyrically conveying his point of view. The chapters are packed with information, conveying many new and fascinating tidbits of information about well know and lesser know serpents. Additionally, the chapters have special topics, which go into detail concerning specific aspects of snakes, such as the rattlesnake's rattle, mimicry of coral snakes by harmless species, and the ability of some snakes to swallow proportionately huge food items, and how these specializations may have evolved. Both the introductory essays and the special topics are illuminated by appropriate photos.
If you like snakes, reptiles, are fascinated by nature, or simply interested in evolutionary theory, this is a book you must have.
An excellent text September 25, 2005
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Professor Greene does a beautiful job revealing the complexities of ophidian natural history. The text is, unlike most scientific works, engaging and a joy to read. The book is further improved by the addition of personal anecdotes that shed light on both snakes and the rewards of being a herpetologist with a particular fascination in snakes. Each chapter has a section devoted to a special topic that discusses some puzzling or interesting facet of snake evolution and natural history. Professor Greene's particular interest in venomnous snakes is evident at times but certainly not overwhelming. This is truly a text for both amateur and professional alike. A great read; it will never collect dust.
A Wonderful Introduction to the Serpents March 23, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am an amateur reptile enthusiast, with a special passion for snakes, and picked up this book hoping to use it as a sort-of reference and something to flip through when I was bored. Instead, I read it cover-to-cover. One of the most rewarding and interesting books that I have ever read, I recomend it to anyone with a passion for these beautiful creatures.
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