Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Excellent guide, 13 May 2008
Unlike many Collins wildlife guides that use photographs (always a bad idea) this is fully illustrated throughout to a very high standard. My only reservation is that it contains only a limited number of fish species.

Almost perfect - nothing better on a market , 08 Mar 2007
An excellent guide I have been waiting long time for. I will be recommending it to all my students as a basic book for field excursions. But nothing is perfect: I miss that eggs/clutches/cocoons of neither group are not depicted as one readily finds this sort of evidence that something lives in a pond/stream.
Also, the variety of dipteran larvae is not shown with the same extensity as those of other groups although they are far the most species rich group of insects living in freshwater habitats. However, their selection in the guide is still very satisfactory for a freswater enthusiast. Regarding the planktonic microlife, i.e. when you need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of freshwater organisms from your plankton net, you will need another guide (I wish there would be some at this entry level); this book takes the plankton just marginally. But, for what it claims it is, i.e. what you can see by naked eye, it is a gem.

Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Excellent guide, 13 May 2008
Unlike many Collins wildlife guides that use photographs (always a bad idea) this is fully illustrated throughout to a very high standard. My only reservation is that it contains only a limited number of fish species.

Almost perfect - nothing better on a market , 08 Mar 2007
An excellent guide I have been waiting long time for. I will be recommending it to all my students as a basic book for field excursions. But nothing is perfect: I miss that eggs/clutches/cocoons of neither group are not depicted as one readily finds this sort of evidence that something lives in a pond/stream.
Also, the variety of dipteran larvae is not shown with the same extensity as those of other groups although they are far the most species rich group of insects living in freshwater habitats. However, their selection in the guide is still very satisfactory for a freswater enthusiast. Regarding the planktonic microlife, i.e. when you need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of freshwater organisms from your plankton net, you will need another guide (I wish there would be some at this entry level); this book takes the plankton just marginally. But, for what it claims it is, i.e. what you can see by naked eye, it is a gem.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Excellent guide, 13 May 2008
Unlike many Collins wildlife guides that use photographs (always a bad idea) this is fully illustrated throughout to a very high standard. My only reservation is that it contains only a limited number of fish species.

Almost perfect - nothing better on a market , 08 Mar 2007
An excellent guide I have been waiting long time for. I will be recommending it to all my students as a basic book for field excursions. But nothing is perfect: I miss that eggs/clutches/cocoons of neither group are not depicted as one readily finds this sort of evidence that something lives in a pond/stream.
Also, the variety of dipteran larvae is not shown with the same extensity as those of other groups although they are far the most species rich group of insects living in freshwater habitats. However, their selection in the guide is still very satisfactory for a freswater enthusiast. Regarding the planktonic microlife, i.e. when you need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of freshwater organisms from your plankton net, you will need another guide (I wish there would be some at this entry level); this book takes the plankton just marginally. But, for what it claims it is, i.e. what you can see by naked eye, it is a gem.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Basic but well written and Illustrated, 04 Jul 2003
A beautifully illustrated book with many of the common intertidal and sublittoral species represented. This book gives a little information about the biology and distributions of covered organisms. However identification mainly relies on photographs, without the use of keys. A good book for anyone interested in the organisms of the seashore, but for detailed and certain identification the keen biologist may require a more in depth approach.

Great for scuba divers in the UK, 03 Feb 2002
Whilst I may not be able to substantiate the biological accuracy of this book I found it hugely enjoyable to use.
I dive frequently in the waters around the UK, this book has shown me much of the wealth and diversity of our local sealife. Many people imagine that our compared to the great barrier reef there is relativly nothing to see.

The format was clear and easy to use. Photatgraphs were wonderful, too many times have I had identification books with little line drawing that were just dull to look at.

In my opinion this book may be lacking in some areas but for a non biologist it provides a great entry into the underwater world of life.

The book is generally very useful. Images are excellent., 16 Nov 2001
In general I find the book sufficiently useful to carry it on the seashore to remind me of the names that I have forgotten over the course of my career in marine science. I can see some problems with the occasional identification but there are considerably more that are right than those that are wrong. For the non-professional its an excellent guide. For the marine biologist who needs to identify everything accurately there are professional taxonomic works: Let's not confuse the two... We need public enthisiasm to conserve UK marine life. The illustrations and layout of this book will generate that enthusiasm.

Nice layout, but poor identification accuracy, 28 Oct 2001
I have identified and recorded marine molluscs for 20+ years, mainly as an amateur, so I was pleased to see a new photo marine ID book. The layout is good; but that is the only positive aspect of the book. I list points concerning the mollusc section.

1. The book says species are mostly illustrated in their natural habitat - at least 15 species are in the wrong habitat eg p. 279 Lasaea 'rubra', and others are misleading.

2. The nomenclature is out of date - the Species Directory (published 1997 by Ulster Museum/Marine Conservation Society) is the accepted version by most professionals.

3. Some of the distribution maps are wrong eg p.237 Osilinus lineatus (which is a widely known species).

4.The drawings are cursory and add little eg p. 237 Gibbula umbilicalis.

5. The text is inaccurate in places eg under Barleeia unifasciata - Assiminea grayana occurs in Ireland; under Hydrobia ulvae - ventrosa and neglecta CANNOT be separated by shell characters

6. The quality of the photos is very poor in places eg p. 243 Rissoa parva

7. The worst aspect of the book is the high level of inaccuracy in the identifications. 18 of the mollusc photos are incorrectly identified (nearly 15%) eg. all photos on pages 249 and 267 are wrong! Experts in other groups have also found inaccuracies of identification.

This book is supposed be a identification guide. It is therefore unacceptable, and a considerable disappointment, to have such a high level of inaccuracy.

Easy identification,good for amateurs like me., 26 Oct 2001
I am interested in sea and shore life but I need a book which is easy to use, one that I can understand and which actually does help me identify what I see. We keep a copy on our boat and thanks to the photographs I have "discovered" new jellyfish and crabs.This book made me want to learn more about the wealth under our keel and on the shore when we reach harbour. Congratulations to the trio responsible for this quality guide.
Mary Reed

Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Excellent guide, 13 May 2008
Unlike many Collins wildlife guides that use photographs (always a bad idea) this is fully illustrated throughout to a very high standard. My only reservation is that it contains only a limited number of fish species.

Almost perfect - nothing better on a market , 08 Mar 2007
An excellent guide I have been waiting long time for. I will be recommending it to all my students as a basic book for field excursions. But nothing is perfect: I miss that eggs/clutches/cocoons of neither group are not depicted as one readily finds this sort of evidence that something lives in a pond/stream.
Also, the variety of dipteran larvae is not shown with the same extensity as those of other groups although they are far the most species rich group of insects living in freshwater habitats. However, their selection in the guide is still very satisfactory for a freswater enthusiast. Regarding the planktonic microlife, i.e. when you need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of freshwater organisms from your plankton net, you will need another guide (I wish there would be some at this entry level); this book takes the plankton just marginally. But, for what it claims it is, i.e. what you can see by naked eye, it is a gem.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Basic but well written and Illustrated, 04 Jul 2003
A beautifully illustrated book with many of the common intertidal and sublittoral species represented. This book gives a little information about the biology and distributions of covered organisms. However identification mainly relies on photographs, without the use of keys. A good book for anyone interested in the organisms of the seashore, but for detailed and certain identification the keen biologist may require a more in depth approach.

Great for scuba divers in the UK, 03 Feb 2002
Whilst I may not be able to substantiate the biological accuracy of this book I found it hugely enjoyable to use.
I dive frequently in the waters around the UK, this book has shown me much of the wealth and diversity of our local sealife. Many people imagine that our compared to the great barrier reef there is relativly nothing to see.

The format was clear and easy to use. Photatgraphs were wonderful, too many times have I had identification books with little line drawing that were just dull to look at.

In my opinion this book may be lacking in some areas but for a non biologist it provides a great entry into the underwater world of life.

The book is generally very useful. Images are excellent., 16 Nov 2001
In general I find the book sufficiently useful to carry it on the seashore to remind me of the names that I have forgotten over the course of my career in marine science. I can see some problems with the occasional identification but there are considerably more that are right than those that are wrong. For the non-professional its an excellent guide. For the marine biologist who needs to identify everything accurately there are professional taxonomic works: Let's not confuse the two... We need public enthisiasm to conserve UK marine life. The illustrations and layout of this book will generate that enthusiasm.

Nice layout, but poor identification accuracy, 28 Oct 2001
I have identified and recorded marine molluscs for 20+ years, mainly as an amateur, so I was pleased to see a new photo marine ID book. The layout is good; but that is the only positive aspect of the book. I list points concerning the mollusc section.

1. The book says species are mostly illustrated in their natural habitat - at least 15 species are in the wrong habitat eg p. 279 Lasaea 'rubra', and others are misleading.

2. The nomenclature is out of date - the Species Directory (published 1997 by Ulster Museum/Marine Conservation Society) is the accepted version by most professionals.

3. Some of the distribution maps are wrong eg p.237 Osilinus lineatus (which is a widely known species).

4.The drawings are cursory and add little eg p. 237 Gibbula umbilicalis.

5. The text is inaccurate in places eg under Barleeia unifasciata - Assiminea grayana occurs in Ireland; under Hydrobia ulvae - ventrosa and neglecta CANNOT be separated by shell characters

6. The quality of the photos is very poor in places eg p. 243 Rissoa parva

7. The worst aspect of the book is the high level of inaccuracy in the identifications. 18 of the mollusc photos are incorrectly identified (nearly 15%) eg. all photos on pages 249 and 267 are wrong! Experts in other groups have also found inaccuracies of identification.

This book is supposed be a identification guide. It is therefore unacceptable, and a considerable disappointment, to have such a high level of inaccuracy.

Easy identification,good for amateurs like me., 26 Oct 2001
I am interested in sea and shore life but I need a book which is easy to use, one that I can understand and which actually does help me identify what I see. We keep a copy on our boat and thanks to the photographs I have "discovered" new jellyfish and crabs.This book made me want to learn more about the wealth under our keel and on the shore when we reach harbour. Congratulations to the trio responsible for this quality guide.
Mary Reed

Such a help during a marine degree, 20 Mar 2004
A great book to get to know the biology and ecology of estuaries and soft shores. It was such a great help during my final year at university. Covers areas from hydrological explanations, possible organisms encountered through to human impacts. Gives numerous examples worldwide with reference list and brief glossary. For such a compact book it has a good insight into the workings of the marine environment. A must book for future marine ecologists and biologists.

Italian lakes guide book, 06 Jan 2009
We bought this book for our holiday to the Italian lakes in June 2008. the book was easy to use and offered up to date information. The only two negatives were that it is quite a heavy book, and we followed a recommended scenic driving route over the moutains and were very disappointed as the reality did not match the description in the book and we felt we had wasted a half day.

Not that useful overall, 23 Sep 2008
We only went to Lake Garda as opposed to the entire Lakes area, as we were attending a wedding in Malcesine and looking for day trips - but virtually all the reports are negative in this book and therefore unhelpful. Yes, I know it's going to be touristy - especially when we went in August - but these are the Italian lakes not some unspoilt paradise. Some of those touristy places are quite nice you know - espeically if you find a nice little corner near the lake, or a quiet piazza for a cool beer in the shade.
Reading this gave me the feeling that the authors had a really rubbish trip to Italy. Shame, because I had a great one despite this book.

Excellent On Milan, 27 Aug 2007
We used this book last October when visiting Milan. We have also been to Verona in the past and this book is informative on both cities. Did not make it as far as the lakes so cannot speak about previous reviews. But fine on the cities.

Sniffy and snotty, 19 Jun 2007
This is like some of the earlier and poorer Rough Guides, snottily dismissive of anything that equates to "tourism". Which is of course ridiculous, because it's a tourist guide, and the smug authors are of course also tourists.

No doubt they consider themselves "travellers" ...

Plenty of decent content of course, but fundamentally unbalanced. Some of the stuff about Garda is inconsistent with what I have seen (e.g. Riva is not hard to get to at all, and the eastern lakeside shore is not afflicted with horrendous traffic jams. Busy yes, jammed no, in my probably lengthier experience). I suspect they visited some areas very briefly indeed. Other Rough Guides are rather more realistic.



Don't leave home without it!, 17 Nov 2006
Our trip to Lake Garda last month was superb, and this book was a crucial element in making it so. The recommendations were spot on, particularly in helping us to avoid the spoilt package holiday destinations (of which there are many around Garda), and instead finding the real "Lago di Benaco". Thank you Rough Guides!

Excellent guide, 13 May 2008
Unlike many Collins wildlife guides that use photographs (always a bad idea) this is fully illustrated throughout to a very high standard. My only reservation is that it contains only a limited number of fish species.

Almost perfect - nothing better on a market , 08 Mar 2007
An excellent guide I have been waiting long time for. I will be recommending it to all my students as a basic book for field excursions. But nothing is perfect: I miss that eggs/clutches/cocoons of neither group are not depicted as one readily finds this sort of evidence that something lives in a pond/stream.
Also, the variety of dipteran larvae is not shown with the same extensity as those of other groups although they are far the most species rich group of insects living in freshwater habitats. However, their selection in the guide is still very satisfactory for a freswater enthusiast. Regarding the planktonic microlife, i.e. when you need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of freshwater organisms from your plankton net, you will need another guide (I wish there would be some at this entry level); this book takes the plankton just marginally. But, for what it claims it is, i.e. what you can see by naked eye, it is a gem.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Basic but well written and Illustrated, 04 Jul 2003
A beautifully illustrated book with many of the common intertidal and sublittoral species represented. This book gives a little information about the biology and distributions of covered organisms. However identification mainly relies on photographs, without the use of keys. A good book for anyone interested in the organisms of the seashore, but for detailed and certain identification the keen biologist may require a more in depth approach.

Great for scuba divers in the UK, 03 Feb 2002
Whilst I may not be able to substantiate the biological accuracy of this book I found it hugely enjoyable to use.
I dive frequently in the waters around the UK, this book has shown me much of the wealth and diversity of our local sealife. Many people imagine that our compared to the great barrier reef there is relativly nothing to see.

The format was clear and easy to use. Photatgraphs were wonderful, too many times have I had identification books with little line drawing that were just dull to look at.

In my opinion this book may be lacking in some areas but for a non biologist it provides a great entry into the underwater world of life.

The book is generally very useful. Images are excellent., 16 Nov 2001
In general I find the book sufficiently useful to carry it on the seashore to remind me of the names that I have forgotten over the course of my career in marine science. I can see some problems with the occasional identification but there are considerably more that are right than those that are wrong. For the non-professional its an excellent guide. For the marine biologist who needs to identify everything accurately there are professional taxonomic works: Let's not confuse the two... We need public enthisiasm to conserve UK marine life. The illustrations and layout of this book will generate that enthusiasm.

Nice layout, but poor identification accuracy, 28 Oct 2001
I have identified and recorded marine molluscs for 20+ years, mainly as an amateur, so I was pleased to see a new photo marine ID book. The layout is good; but that is the only positive aspect of the book. I list points concerning the mollusc section.

1. The book says species are mostly illustrated in their natural habitat - at least 15 species are in the wrong habitat eg p. 279 Lasaea 'rubra', and others are misleading.

2. The nomenclature is out of date - the Species Directory (published 1997 by Ulster Museum/Marine Conservation Society) is the accepted version by most professionals.

3. Some of the distribution maps are wrong eg p.237 Osilinus lineatus (which is a widely known species).

4.The drawings are cursory and add little eg p. 237 Gibbula umbilicalis.

5. The text is inaccurate in places eg under Barleeia unifasciata - Assiminea grayana occurs in Ireland; under Hydrobia ulvae - ventrosa and neglecta CANNOT be separated by shell characters

6. The quality of the photos is very poor in places eg p. 243 Rissoa parva

7. The worst aspect of the book is the high level of inaccuracy in the identifications. 18 of the mollusc photos are incorrectly identified (nearly 15%) eg. all photos on pages 249 and 267 are wrong! Experts in other groups have also found inaccuracies of identification.

This book is supposed be a identification guide. It is therefore unacceptable, and a considerable disappointment, to have such a high level of inaccuracy.

Easy identification,good for amateurs like me., 26 Oct 2001
I am interested in sea and shore life but I need a book which is easy to use, one that I can understand and which actually does help me identify what I see. We keep a copy on our boat and thanks to the photographs I have "discovered" new jellyfish and crabs.This book made me want to learn more about the wealth under our keel and on the shore when we reach harbour. Congratulations to the trio responsible for this quality guide.
Mary Reed

Such a help during a marine degree, 20 Mar 2004
A great book to get to know the biology and ecology of estuaries and soft shores. It was such a great help during my final year at university. Covers areas from hydrological explanations, possible organisms encountered through to human impacts. Gives numerous examples worldwide with reference list and brief glossary. For such a compact book it has a good insight into the workings of the marine environment. A must book for future marine ecologists and biologists.

The Best Book on Freshwater Pollution, 03 Nov 2004
I have found this book to be an endless help with my degree and also a fascinating read (which is unusual for a text book). It covers everthing in wonderful detail and with great accuracy.
Chris Mason is a great writer and I hope to be able to read some of his other works.

A must-have for freshwater scientists, 20 Apr 2001
This book should be considered a must-have purchase for all freshwater scientists, whether in industry or in academia. It is extremely well written and provides a wealth of information about such varying topics as eutrophication, acidification and biomonitoring. The use of case studies adds depth and reality to the book as a whole. Definitely worth buying if you are taking any course on freshwater science.