5 stars (Wonderful Stony Coral and Clam Reference) - The good? This book is truly a comprehensive piece covering probably more than you want to know at times. For example, it explains the chemical reactions that occur during calcification of corals and why additions are necessary. After reading many other references, I must say I am very happy I purchased this volume. Contained in these pages are insights you won't find anywhere else. The book clearly explains the setup and maintenance procedures required to be successful in stony coral reef keeping. The bad? My main gripe is trivial. Guys, how about a larger font size and pictures? I had to do a lot of squinting. It could do with a minor revision of some references that are dated (such as collection of live rock from Florida) as the original was 1994, but make no mistake that all information is relevant. In summary... Obviously at this price it is unfortunately out of reach of the casual hobbyist, which is a shame. However, one could buy this book instead of various "reference manuals" which might be the same at the end of the day. Buy it if you can afford it. I also highly recommend Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals book. 5 stars (Perhaps the best book on reef care) - An exceptional book on the subject. It is comprehensive but I would not say not complete as no book on this subject could be. Still I believe this book to be the best work compiled in book form. Described by many as "the Bible" on the subject it indeed may be but it is not dogmatic as it offers several options and methods and leaves it for the aquarist to use. (Note: This volume covers stony corals and not soft corals). When I started keeping marine aquaria keeping back in 1970 one almost had to employ the skills of a chemist. In those days most people in the hobby? thought it nearly impossible to care for many of the species of coral now commonly kept. It was only through the encouragement of a local public aquarium (the John G. Shedd Aquar... Ricordea Publishing :: Tropics :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Marine invertebrates :: Marine Life :: Marine Fauna :: Invertebrates :: Identification :: Fish & Aquariums :: Coral reef animals :: :: The Reef Aquarium- A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebr
1 stars (Buyer Beware) - We received a rather terse note on returning from our vacation about not emailing a response back. The book was in HORRIBLE shape. His description of the 'worn ' appearance was wishful thinking. He did not email us and tell us that a credit had been issued . I found that out by followup. I can't say the 'near'service we received was very good. 5 stars (Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Orna) - Dirr has the final word on all woody plants. You would be hardpressed to find any tree or shrub commonly used (and not so commonly used) today that is not listed in this incredible encyclopedia. I saved my copy from when it was a textbook in my Woody Lanscape Plants class in college, and have since updated to the latest version to use in practice 15 years later. A truly unbeleivable wealth of knowledge. 5 stars (A "Must Have" book for serious horticulturalists) - This manual contains a wealth of information on the identification, cultural requirements, propragation methods, and place of origin for a wide variety of trees and woody shrubs. I keep my copy in my car, take it wherever I go, and refer to it on a regular basis. Yes, it is a thick book. No, it is not without its own quirks. However, I recommend it highly over any other woody manual available. I have only one quibble. I wish Michael Dirr would hurry up and write a similarly in-depth manual on herbaceous plants. ... Stipes Publishing- LLC :: Trees :: Ornamental shrubs :: Ornamental trees :: United States :: Shrubs :: Reference :: Ornamental woody plants :: Landscape plants :: Landscape :: Handbooks :: manuals :: Manual of Woody Landscape Plants- Their Identification- Ornamental Characteristics- Culture- Propaga
5 stars (EXCELLENT REFERANCE BOOK) - EXCELLENT REFERENCE BOOK FOR WEED IDENTIFICATION. QUITE SPECIFIC FOR FARMERS AND GARDENERS. 4 stars (A handy guide--good identification photos) - I'm very pleased with this guide. After spending time with field research botanists, I've come to appreciate how difficult it can be to catalog invasive plants--they're EVERYWHERE! And of varying sizes, shapes, colors. Some so innocuous that it wouldn't even occur to you to notice and others so prolific in their families that it takes forever to track the different varieties. Luckily, Uva, Neal, and DiTomaso did and put together an excellent little book. As a professional gardener, this has been a handy reference. I would give it five stars, but I do have issue with some of the items. In the Introduction, weeds are discussed, but it is not clearly established what makes a "weed" a weed. For example, mallow is listed as a weed, but it appears to be a weed in the context of agricultural plantings. To my understanding, there are several native varieties of mallow in the U.S. Is this particular variety non-native? Is it a nuisance plant? Is it unsightly? My definition of weed has always been non-native escapists or volunteers. I'd like to see this clearly defined. I would also like more information on where the plant originates and what makes it a weed in the Northeast. As well as any beneficial qualities--are parts of the plant edible? Can any of it be used? Difficulties eradicating? Basically, as a gardener I'd like to know if there are any positive attributes. If I have a field full of amiranth is it the same type of amiranth sold in the stores? How does it vary? Could my client potentially harvest any of this before tilling or pulling out? The scientific information, such as plant identification: size of seeds, defining leaf shapes, etc., is all very clear and well done. As I said the photos are great. All in all this is indespensible, I just wish they would c... Cornell University Press :: Weeds :: Regional - General :: Plants - General :: Northeastern States :: Nature & Field Guide Books :: Life Sciences - Botany :: Identification :: Gardening&Plants :: Weeds of the Northeast
5 stars (Nicely Done) - This book is an essential desk-reference for mushroom enthusiasts. The extensive introduction includes articles on "fungophobia" (fear of eating wild mushrooms), mushroom biology, mushrooms and the environment, scientific names and classification, mushroom collecting, mushroom identification, directions on how to use keys, mushroom FAQs, LBMs (little brown mushrooms), habitats, and a list of 70 distinctive mushrooms. This material is followed by a general key to the major groups of mushrooms, and then over 800 pages of mushroom descriptions, organized according to the key, with additional specific keys for each major group. Brief articles are provided for each individual mushroom species, including scientific name, common names (if available), and descriptive information covering (where relevant) cap, gills, stalk, veil, spores, habitat and edibility. High quality black-and-white photographs are provided for many (though not all) species. There is also a section of color plates in the middle of the book referenced by name and page number to the articles in the text. End material includes articles on mushroom cookery, preservation, and toxins, a dictionary of scientific Latin relevant for mushroom study, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. A metric/inch ruler is printed on the back cover as a useful measurement aid. With its varied in-depth articles and large number of species covered, this book is a treasure-trove of information. It is not quite as visual as other large guides, since not all species have photos, and all the photos in the main text are black-and-white. This approach forces the user to rely on reading the details of the key, which is a very sound approach to identification. The first edition of the book was written solely about Californian mushrooms. In this edition, Arora has expanded his coverage to the continental United States, but he notes that many of his comments about habitat may be more relevant to Ca... Ten Speed Press :: Pacific States :: Nature&Ecology :: Nature :: Mushrooms :: Life Sciences - Bacteriology :: Identification :: General :: Gardening & Horticulture :: California :: David :: Mushrooms Demystified- A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi
