Rating: 
Summary: A book that's a work of art
Review: As a professional biologist, although with a minimal knowledge of lichens, I purchased a copy of the Bardo-Sharnoff-Sharnoff book and was blown away. The photographs are magnificent and well-integrated with the text. The book should serve to enlighten those who seek to understand the living curious and remarkable relationship between certain fungi and their resident cyanobacteria. This relationship we call lichens. Thanks especially to the Sharnoffs, we come to fully appreciate their subtle beauty. Sylvia Sharnoff must be smiling over this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating , beautiful and informative...
Review: As an amateur naturalist and nature photographer I was intriqued by the colors, patterns and variety of lichens, but knew little about them. As my lichen photography collection grew,I wanted to identify the lichen species I had photographed, so I did some research. I returned over and over again to a website that highlighted the chapters and images in "Lichen's of North America." The book seemed an expensive investment for an amateur like myself, but, after reviewing other books on lichens at the library and in bookstores, I realized this book has no equal. Inevitably, I placed my order. When the book arrived, I was first surprised at how BIG it was. Hundreds of four color images jumped off the pages, each a work of art. Most importantly, the text is fascinating and easy to understand, even for a non-scientist. I read the first 14 chapters over the weekend. I was amazed by the important role lichens play in the biodiversity of life. It opened my eyes to an understudied and little understond life form that has a profound influence on the past and future of our planet. I recommend it to anyone who has any interest in biodiversity, natural succession, preserving the environment and nature in general. You will see Lichen in a whole new light!
Rating:
Summary: A revelation!
Review: At last! This book will open the door to the world of lichens for many interested botanists, conservationists, naturalists -- and prospective lichenologists. I had high expectations of this book, and they were surpassed by far: excellent scientific information, presented in a manner accessible to both the professional and the amateur, and extremely beautiful too. The introductory chapters are excellent, and the "flora" portion has excellent keys, range maps, text, and wonderful photographs. This book is a bargain at the list price. If you have any interest in knowing about lichens in North America -- buy it, you will not be disappointed. The quality of the book is extraordinary, in all respects.
Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous book
Review: First, this book is enormous! 800 full-size glossy pages - it must weigh 15 pounds. Not something you want to carry around in your backpack.This book is truly a labor of love. Everything about it is of the highest quality, from the text to the photographs to the printing and binding. Not only do the authors know their subject intimately, but they delight in sharing their knowledge with the reader. A remarkable work, and a great tribute to everyone involved in its production.
Rating:
Summary: Superlative in every way
Review: First, this book is enormous! 800 full-size glossy pages - it must weigh 15 pounds. Not something you want to carry around in your backpack. This book is truly a labor of love. Everything about it is of the highest quality, from the text to the photographs to the printing and binding. Not only do the authors know their subject intimately, but they delight in sharing their knowledge with the reader. A remarkable work, and a great tribute to everyone involved in its production.
Rating:
Summary: A Naturalist's Delight
Review: I haven't been this excited about a natural history book in a long time. I've been eagerly awaiting this one for two years and had high expectations from the publisher, but the reality is even better. The photos are wonderful, the descriptions clear and precise, but it is the excellent and much-needed sections on lichen natural history at the beginning of the book that will make it most useful to a wide variety of professional scientists and amateur naturalists alike.
And this book is huge enough to need its own stand - all it's lacking is the ribbon bookmark!
Rating:
Summary: A Naturalist's Delight
Review: I haven't been this excited about a natural history book in a long time. I've been eagerly awaiting this one for two years and had high expectations from the publisher, but the reality is even better. The photos are wonderful, the descriptions clear and precise, but it is the excellent and much-needed sections on lichen natural history at the beginning of the book that will make it most useful to a wide variety of professional scientists and amateur naturalists alike.
And this book is huge enough to need its own stand - all it's lacking is the ribbon bookmark!
Rating:
Summary: A book that's a work of art
Review: It is a book both for the professional and the amateur. Great photos and clear text. Wonderful reference for Lichens.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: It is a book both for the professional and the amateur. Great photos and clear text. Wonderful reference for Lichens.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: It is hard to write about this book without an overuse of superlatives. The photographs are a naturalist's dream; they show the salient features of the lichens, but, at the same time, they are frequently works of art displaying the beauty and charm of both the subjects and their settings.The text escapes both of the usual faults of this type of book. It is neither so technical as to confuse and bore the non-specialist nor so superficial as to diminish the book's usefulness for the botanically sophisticated. Brodo's writing is clear, concise and graceful; a joy to read.The organization of the book is also all one could wish for, with a generous natural history section leading into clear, workable keys and descriptions of enough of the North American lichen species to satisfy any generalist and most specialists.All one is left to wish for is a paperback version to toss in the car.
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