A Neotropical Companion

Rating:
Summary: The most readable and interesting book of its' kind.
Review: I am working and living in Belize. I found The Neotropical Companion to be an articulate explanation of how the New World tropics functions and grows. The fact that Kircher's written style is organized, interesting and insightful is an added bonus.

Rating:
Summary: The most readable and interesting book of its' kind.
Review: I am working and living in Belize. I found The Neotropical Companion to be an articulate explanation of how the New World tropics functions and grows. The fact that Kircher's written style is organized, interesting and insightful is an added bonus.

Rating:
Summary: Great Introductory Text
Review: I found Kricher's text to be an enlightening, easy read for those interested in learning a subject they're not too familiar with. His explanations are satisfactory and he provides a broad, encyclopedic insight into the Neotropics as well as references for further reading. I also found his quips to be a nice break from the dry and tiresome technicalities that the topic often entails. Overall I think his book provides exactly what it he intended: an introductory text into Neotropical ecology.

Rating:
Summary: For Students and Traveler's Alike!
Review: I live and work in Central America, and therefore often need information on a wide variety of topics regarding the local ecology. This book has served me very well as a resource which gives concise but engaging explanations of lots of the aspects of the ecosystems here. Perhaps the most important flaw is the lack of information on freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Similarly to other publications, this book leaves one with the impression that there is not much interesting about freshwater except in the Amazon drainage.

Rating:
Summary: A recommended book for the traveler and scientist
Review: I live and work in Central America, and therefore often need information on a wide variety of topics regarding the local ecology. This book has served me very well as a resource which gives concise but engaging explanations of lots of the aspects of the ecosystems here. Perhaps the most important flaw is the lack of information on freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Similarly to other publications, this book leaves one with the impression that there is not much interesting about freshwater except in the Amazon drainage.

Rating:
Summary: more than a textbook!
Review: I should point out a dimension of this wonderful, intensely readable book that's missing from the other reader reviews: you don't have to leave your reading-chair to love it! It's a great travelling companion (hence the title), yes, but it's just as great to read right in the comfort of your own home! Kricher's prose is HAPPY.

Rating:
Summary: more than a textbook!
Review: I should point out a dimension of this wonderful, intensely readable book that's missing from the other reader reviews: you don't have to leave your reading-chair to love it! It's a great travelling companion (hence the title), yes, but it's just as great to read right in the comfort of your own home! Kricher's prose is HAPPY.

Rating:
Summary: Very, very good introduction to a tough topic
Review: I thought this was a terrific introduction to the neotropics. The chapter on aquatic life was weak, and the author lowered himself to some unfortunate puns (he should have skipped the topic completely). The early chapters were the best.

Rating:
Summary: Very, very good introduction to a tough topic
Review: I thought this was a terrific introduction to the neotropics. The chapter on aquatic life was weak, and the author lowered himself to some unfortunate puns (he should have skipped the topic completely). The early chapters were the best.

Rating:
Summary: Making you wish to go there
Review: I've had to choose between 3 and 4 stars, but I'll stick to 4 stars.
It's really a good introduction to the natural history of the Neotropics. Yet, I've got the feeling that Mr. Kricher wants to tell us about too many things in too few space, thus leaving much things for further explanation. Of course, it's a heavy task to pack such a diversity in so small a book. The general introduction is thorough, but in the group description some groups remain heavily underexposed.
He shouldn't be playing on words this much only to let every pun be followed by a hypocritical "no pun intendeed". There's nothing against making puns, though.
The colour pictures do not add much to the book. I think he'd better have fewer and larger pictures than this stamp collection that give a somewhat disorderly impression.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it, making me wish to return to the neotropical rainforests.