2 comments about The Atlas of Discus of the World.

1. That's the question you've got to be asking if you've never seen this book. This is another one of Axelrod's big picture books. There's not much text, but there is a very valuable commentary on discus taxonomy written by Warren Burgess. There are also some good pointers in the captions to the photos. The photos are the usual TFH quality photos and the captions generally give information about the picture. The book is organized by wild caught species, strains that can be directly attributed to specific wild types (hybrids) and several other strains. Unfortunately it pre-dates the emergence of the red strains such as pigeon blood, marlboro red, etc. so these popular and important strains are not represented in this book.

   The really valuable aspect of this book is that it gives a view of what discus are supposed to look like, which is generally quite different from what is seen in the tanks of retailers. It does not give much in the way of specific information about keeping, breeding and diseases. If that is what you want then you are better off buying some of the less expensive books out there by someone such as Degen, Wattley or Quarles.

   So is it worth the money? If you think you really need a lot of help with discus, then no it isn't. However if you are fairly experienced, have maybe bred some discus and are interested in comparing what you've got vs. some of the other strains out there, this book can be well worth the investment.




2. This is a great book. Ok it is expensive, but it is a very large book. It is packed full of many great photos. It covers a lot of areas from all of the different spieces to breeding. Allthough not a wealth of information, the many, many wonderful photos must be seen to appreciate. They are bright, clear, and very large. Truely a great book. Well worth the money.

No comments about Anoles: Facts & Advice on Care and Breeding (Reptile Keeper's Guide).

2 comments about The Completely Illustrated Guide to Koi for Your Pond.

1. this book contains little useful information regarding koi keeping...
   only a lot of big low resolution (some seem like taken with a cell phone) pics of koi. And of course the price...when I got this book I tought I was beeing scammed...for this money one could buy 5 other realy good books on koi! I realy don't know for whom is this book written. It has little information for begginers and no useful information for pros, only big pics! But you can find better ones on the net...and more information in the wikipedia section on koi...
   
   The only good thing in this book is the paper quality!



2. This book is a work of art, replete with what seems like thousands of gorgeous full-page photos and art prints, as well as essays on a broad range of topics. It's definitely koi-centric, so don't expect a book on pond-building, but for the true aficionado this is a must-have.

No comments about Tarantulas (Herpetocultural Library).

2 comments about The Guide to Owning a Corn Snake (Guide to Owning A...).

1. This is easily the least-informed and the worst-written of the corn snake manuals in print today. Those needing a book on keeping corn snakes in captivity would be better off buying one of the following: Corn Snakes, by R. D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett; Corn Snakes and Other Rat Snakes, also by Bartlett and Bartlett; and especially The Corn Snake Manual, by Bill and Kathy Love. The first of these is excellent for beginners, the last, by the Loves, is the definitive book on the species. Better yet, buy all three of them, learn, and enjoy.



2. I read this book when I first decided to buy a corn
   snake. This book gave me a good impression of how
   to care for my corn snake. As a beginner with snakes, it served
   as adequate background information. However,if
   you are seriously considering buying and
   caring for a corn snake, it would behoove you to
   consult another source as well. Do not use this book
   as the bible on how to care for your snake. Since reading
   this book, I have discovered many discrepancies in the text. The book is not necessarily wrong, but it suggests that there
   are certain ways to care for your snake that are
   preferable,whereas in reality, there are many other ways, some
   of which are preferable over the ways the book suggests.
   However, this book is a very interesting source for
   background information on corn and red rat snakes.

2 comments about A Snake-Lover's Diary.

1. My all time favorite book. Probably the only book I read more than twice as a child. A must have for any boy groing up!!



2. This book is really, really great. It is funny, informative, and helps children to better understand and appreciate snakes. A good read for all pre-teens, and even adults who are interested or intrigued by snakes, or who have a child asking about getting one as a pet.

4 comments about Eat This Bug: A Guide to Invertebrate Live Foods for Reptiles and Amphibians.

1. I found this book listed among recommend books on the Sithsonian Natural History Museum site. There are very few books on reptile care recommended by the Sithsonian. This was the only one dealing with live foods.
   It is a small book, only 62 pages. I would like to see an expanded version. I was unable to find the information I needed anywhere else. For anyone raising invertebrates and insects for feeding pets, this book will be very useful.



2. At $9.95 I thought this book was way overpriced. It is 8.5 x 5.5 inches, a paperback with stapled spine. Only 58 pages of content, and each of those is half printed with text. Black and white illustrations are few and of low quality. Information is only rudimentary, but accurate. I would recommend those interested in this topic to look anywhere else!



3. This book is a simple guide to finding and keeping live foods for herp pets. A good source of info about suppliers of hard to find items in the appendix. If you want to raise your own insects, this is a good place to start.



4. Eat This Bug was a huge disappointment. It's main fault is that it contains very little detailed information. There are some nice pictures in this book, a list of insects that are suitable for feeding reptiles and amphibians and not much else. There is no discussion of reptile and amphibian nutrition, little information on how to care for your insects once you get them home, little or no information on culturing your own insects, and no information about the suitability of different insects as food for different reptiles and amphibians. The book is so simplistic, it seems to be written for children. It was a big waste of my time and money.

2 comments about Corn & Rat Snakes (Complete Herp Care).

1. I feel that this book is very complete and extremely helpful. If you own or are interested in corns pick this up because it will be helpful, also the offer lists some considerations before purchasing a corn which is great to see.



2. One of the most reader-friendly and authoritative books of its kind Ive ever read. Not only does this book give a solid outline of the natural history of these snakes, but it also answers (Thoroughly!) all the questions/issues that might arise in the captive care/breeding of the corn and rat snakes.
   
   The author, Phil Purser, is an authority on these snakes whom I once had the honor of meeting at a university lecture; his name on a book about herps is a definite stamp-of-quality.
   
   If you have to buy a corn snake book, THIS IS THE ONE!!!!
   
   ~Derek

1 comments about Spiny-tailed Agamids: Uromastyx and Xenagama.

1. Not a bad guide. If you're looking for general information it's pretty good. It does have wonderful pictures which are helpful for a comparison as well as an idea of a housing set up. Not as much information on behaviors as would be desired. Great if you're looking for a little information, but really should be coupled with another book.

5 comments about Confessions of a Turtle Wife.

1. An enjoyable, but very light-weight memoir about a New York City man who keeps several turtles in aquariums in his apartment, and his wife who moves from grudging acceptance to interest in them. It's told from her viewpoint as she observes his turtle obsession. It's interesting to see all the chelonian sub-species with which they interact (my experience is only with box turtles), but I couldn't help feeling sorry for how little space the poor turtles had to roam around in.



2. In our marriage, I am the one (wife) with the turtles (and other reptiles) and my husband has moved from indifference to quiet love for my critters.
   While somewhat episodic, the book is funny and so true! It is
   a wonderful account of the ups, downs, laughs and tears
   of turtle ownership.
   I give this 5 stars for the humor, and for bringing turtles
   to the rest of the world.



3. This book is about relationships and love. Because if a couple can go through all this couple went through and still be with each other,it has to be true love. Or the sex.
   Its also a very funny book, the type you can't put down when you start. Its full of situations you can emulate if you are in a similar situation, "You want that honey, OK then I get the diamond bracelet, you want to build what? Ok they I'll go buy our tickets to Paris.
   Anyone who lives with someone who is obsessed about something they don't like and only tolerate (golf, footbal, Star Trek) will love this book. Even if only just to learn it can be worse.
   Buy it. Read it.



4. This delightful, funny, even suspenseful book is ostensibly about the experience of living with a "turtle nut" (my term for a turtle enthusiast). The book does deliver quantities of information on that topic, as well as about turtles as pets, caring for turtles, turtle conservation, and more.

   However, it's also a personal and touching chronicle of a relationship developing between a man and a woman.

   The author brings a light and humorous touch to the entire book. I often laughed out loud while reading it. And, believe it or not, Confessions of a Turtle Wife is a page turner! I could not put it down. (There is even a chapter about sex that includes a graphic description of the sex act-between consenting adult turtles!)

   A most enjoyable, informative, and uplifting book-I recommend it highly.




5. I LOVED THIS BOOK! If you're looking for a very funny quick read--a real diversion--then pick up a copy of "Confessions of a Turtle Wife" by Anita Salzberg.

   You don't have to know a thing about turtles or even care about them, but I guarantee by the time you finish this hilarious, educational, and positively charming book, you'll realize it's not about turtles after all. It's a cosmic New York love story--a guy obsessed with chelonians and the woman who falls in love with him...and his turtles.

   Knowing ultimatums do not work, Salzberg never says "it's me or the turtles." It's a sidelong glance at how to find true happiness by accepting what cannot be changed, and, a very funny one, at that.