Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Brackenbury (veterinary anatomy, Cambridge U.) conveys his own fascination with, and delight in, insects and their realm, discussing insects' life cycles, the curious aspects of metamorphosis, and the relationship between their life cycles and the seasons. Large color photos illustrate how insects cope with the challenges of their environment, and give the viewer an opportunity to see how the world appears to an insect. Lacks a bibliography. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

British zoologist Brackenbury (Insects in Flight, Blandford, 1992) here furnishes minimal, to-the-point text, letting his superb photography tell most of the story. There are over 200 photographs, many full-page and all in vivid color. The chapters are arranged around five broad themes: insect feeding and pollination in the spring; reproduction; how insects see their world; energy and activity, including flight; and the end of an insect's year. This book will appeal to general readers, students, teachers, scholars, and anyone who would like to see some outstanding examples of nature photography from a recognized expert. Highly recommended for all types of libraries.-William H. Wiese, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Zoologist Brackenbury (Cambridge Univ.) developed a technique for photographing insects in free flight, and is also the author of Insects in Flight (CH, May'93). His new book has the same spectacular photography, including many insects in flight. (Readers are referred to Borne on the Wind by Stephen Dalton, 1975, for other in-flight photographs.) Brackenbury's book is a natural history based on the activities of insects during the seasonal cycle of the year, starting with the spring activities of emerging and feeding; continuing with courtship and reproduction, an insect's eye view of the world, and heat, energy and activity; and finishing at the end of the insect's year. This book is illustrated by magnificent color photographs on nearly every page, and although the text is readable and interesting, these photographs are what will attract most people to this book. They are large, sharp, accurately colored, and (one cannot help but repeat) truly magnificent! A wide variety of insects are illustrated, mostly from Europe and North Africa, and many of the photographs are extremely unusual. This reviewer was especially interested in some of the gall-makers and stem-borers, as well as a strange desert mantid. Everyone will have their favorites. Recommended for anyone with an interest in insect natural history. General, undergraduate through faculty. R. C. Graves; Bowling Green State University