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Rating: 
Summary: Pretty to Look At
Review: As a biologist, I get my fill of technical language and new terminology. This book is a welcome blend of art, history, and bugs. The reproductions are very well done and I was suprised at the number and variety of sketch-like prints that were included. Would make a nice gift for a friend who is curious about the natural world.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty to Look At
Review: As a biologist, I get my fill of technical language and new terminology. This book is a welcome blend of art, history, and bugs. The reproductions are very well done and I was suprised at the number and variety of sketch-like prints that were included. Would make a nice gift for a friend who is curious about the natural world.
Rating:
Summary: Nice overview
Review: Great drawings throughout the book. Its technical (as expected from the title being anatomy) but not so technical that you feel like its a lecture. One thing I especially like is that in the descriptions of the insects there is interesting "trivia" that makes this a fun read. Here's a quick excerpt: "the bombardier beetle emits a puff of a volatile chemical, followed by a popping sound, thereby giving it its name. Early naturalists likened this form of defense to humans' use of gunfire."
Rating:
Summary: Nice overview
Review: Great drawings throughout the book. Its technical (as expected from the title being anatomy) but not so technical that you feel like its a lecture. One thing I especially like is that in the descriptions of the insects there is interesting "trivia" that makes this a fun read. Here's a quick excerpt: "the bombardier beetle emits a puff of a volatile chemical, followed by a popping sound, thereby giving it its name. Early naturalists likened this form of defense to humans' use of gunfire."
Rating: 
Summary: authoritative without being overly scientific
Review: The Anatomy of Insects admitedly only scratches the surface of entomology, but what it covers is done in exquisite detail. The book begins with a primer on insect anatomy before broadly covering the taxonomy of the major insect orders of beatles, wasps (including bees and ants) termites (including dragonflies and mayflies), butterflies, moths, fleas (and flies), grasshoppers (and crickets), stick insects (including mantises and cockroaches), and spiders. There is little specific information about each species, but plenty of general information about the order, and enough detail to give the lay reader (such as myself) a good "feel" for the critters. However, the diagrams and plates of the insects are what drew me to the book. Many of the pictures are from Victorian era prints, some are more recent etchings, but all are remarkable and beautiful in their own right. (I know, who would have thought of "bugs" as beautiful?) It really is an interesting read, with an excellent biliography for further reading if a specific order or genus strikes your fancy; but the depiction of theses small animals is what makes this book such a treasure.
Rating:
Summary: authoritative without being overly scientific
Review: The Anatomy of Insects admitedly only scratches the surface of entomology, but what it covers is done in exquisite detail. The book begins with a primer on insect anatomy before broadly covering the taxonomy of the major insect orders of beatles, wasps (including bees and ants) termites (including dragonflies and mayflies), butterflies, moths, fleas (and flies), grasshoppers (and crickets), stick insects (including mantises and cockroaches), and spiders. There is little specific information about each species, but plenty of general information about the order, and enough detail to give the lay reader (such as myself) a good "feel" for the critters. However, the diagrams and plates of the insects are what drew me to the book. Many of the pictures are from Victorian era prints, some are more recent etchings, but all are remarkable and beautiful in their own right. (I know, who would have thought of "bugs" as beautiful?) It really is an interesting read, with an excellent biliography for further reading if a specific order or genus strikes your fancy; but the depiction of theses small animals is what makes this book such a treasure.
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