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BOOK REVIEWS by The Editor
Several books have come my way recently, which may be
of interest to members. None is very technical, and two are
good family books.
The Natural History of Europe by Harry Garms is
published by Paul Hamlyn in this country, originally at 36/-,
but now reduced to 19/11 • The cover describes this book as
"A fully illustrated guide to the trees, flowers and fungi,
mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects of Europe, from
Britain to Russia, Scandinavia to the Mediterranean". And
the book lives up to its claims, for, in 300 pages of text
are described 2,100 plants and 1,400 animals, grouped
according to habitat, each illustrated delightfully by
Wilhelm Eigener in colour. The text is a mine of information
for identification, but one must not expect from an omnibus
volume such as this to be able to identify positively all
one's finds. For the family, though, it should prove a most
stimulating book; I would echo Gerald Burrell in his
Introduction: "I think this guide will prove to be
absolutely indispensible to anyone interested in natural
history who travels in Britain or on the Continent ... as
essential ... as the Guide Michelin". The binding is good
and sturdy, which is more than may be said of the other
Hamlyn books I have for review.
The Hamlyn Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe,
at 25/-,contains within its 300 pages no less than 516
excellent colour illustrations, with associated text and
distribution maps on facing pages. The text is by Bertel
Brunn and the illustrations by Arthur Singer, described as
"one of the world's foremost bird artists and a renowned
ornithologist". The book is revised for the British edition
by Bruce Campbell. Of this book, my colleague, Fred Boot
says it has already replaced hitherto favourite bird books
on his bird-watching outings. My only criticism is in the
poor binding; I would advise you to buy a tube of Copydex