Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World |
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Paul D. Stewart, Richard Dawkins
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Pages: 240 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0563493569
Pub: BBC Books
Pub date: 2006-09-07
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 90233
Reader Reviews:
A Basic Review of the Islands (1/1 people found this helpful)
This book was designed to accompany the brilliant TV series Galapagos [2006] and is structured in the same way. It begins with chapters on the geology of the area, the discovery of the islands, and Charles Darwin. Three chapters follow on the flora and fauna, and a final two on the conservation and future of the archipelago.
Very few plants are covered in any detail and only the more famous animal inhabitants get any real coverage. The rest are covered in a basic description of the habitat. You just don't get a feel for the vibrancy and the struggle for life that you do from the TV series.
The photography is good, with some impressive full-page spreads. But it is not spectacular and they could have done better with such fascinating and apparantly 'tame' subject matter.
The book concludes with a 45-page `gazetteer', which includes species profiles, all the information you could need for a great trip to the Galapagos, and extensive further reading. This is an excellent resource if you're planning a trip, but is a shame for those who aren't as it takes up a 20% chunk of the book.
Overall this book is a decent representation of the Galapagos Islands, and will be an inspiration for many to go and visit. However if you've seen the series this will add nothing new, and if you haven't it's cheaper to buy the DVD than this book.
I wish I'd bought this BEFORE the trip! (1/1 people found this helpful)
I've recently returned from the Galapagos, the islands & animals were amazing, but since buying and reading this book I realise there is SO much more I could have seen and should have been aware of! As well as being an up to date guidebook in its own right, this beautifully illustrated book also gives wonderfully written accounts of the islands' history, (mad murder mysteries), geology and nature (friendly sharks & the penguins' story is fascinating) as well as the main-man, Mr Darwin's star-turn on the islands! Excellent value - a book that delivers much more than just a spotter's guide. I would recommend it as both a reference and companion on a Galapagos trip - just buy yours before you go! (I'm as sick as a Galapagos finch...)
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Nature -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)