United States
£ GBP
Galápagos is a comprehensive, up-to-date, and profusely illustrated natural history of this spectacular archipelago. Offering much more information than identification guides, the book provides detailed accounts and more than 650 colour photographs of the islands' habitats, marine life, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants, making the book a virtual nature tour of the Galápagos.
Galápagos experts John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin have thoroughly revised the original text, bringing all the taxonomy up to date and adding a wealth of new information. Individual chapters cover geology, ecology, human history, Darwin's finches and how Darwin came to his theory of natural selection from his visit to the islands, Galápagos tortoises, marine and land iguanas, mammals, seabirds, land birds, marine life, and conservation challenges and initiatives. The concluding chapter covers each of the individual islands, including landing sites, unique plant and animal species, and points of interest, and serves as a wonderful guide for visitors as they move from island to island or plan a trip to Galápagos.
With its combination of rich text and splendid photos, Galápagos is essential reading for the eco traveller and nature enthusiast alike.
John Kricher is a professor emeritus of biology at Wheaton College in Massachusetts and an internationally recognized ecologist, ornithologist, and author. His books include The New Neotropical Companion, Tropical Ecology, and The Balance of Nature (all Princeton).
Kevin Loughlin is a nature photographer and tour guide who has led more than forty trips to Galápagos. His photos and writing have appeared in many magazines, including Living Bird and Birding.
Reviews of the first edition:
"Galápagos: A Natural History will do well when packed alongside a couple of field guides and a pair of binoculars. Its lucid and crisp chapters on the islands' origins and geology, human history, Darwin's findings and the flora and fauna will give the background story to visitors."
– Tim Dee, Times Literary Supplement
"Beyond the wry anecdotes of human involvement in the Galápagos, there is a wealth of lucid natural history in this fine book. Kricher covers all the essentials [...] [and] provides the clearest explanation I have ever seen of how the ocean currents affect the Galápagos climate, nutrient availability and biogeography [...] Kricher has provided the best available introduction to Galápagos natural history."
– Kenneth S. Saladin, National Center for Science Education Reports
"This is an excellent book for the many ecotourists visiting the Galápagos who want an intelligent and stimulating account of the islands and their animals and plants. It is written in a clear, accessible, interesting, and yet scholarly style."
– Peter R. Grant, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, and author of Ecology and Evolution of Darwin's Finches
"This great book, written by a leading naturalist and Darwin scholar, captures the nature of the Galápagos – its landforms, its flora and fauna, and its place in history. Within the book's pages, one is taken on a tour that illuminates this enchanted archipelago. Having led twenty-five cruises to the Galápagos, I would suggest this as a delightful read on Darwin's isles."
– Peter Alden, National Audubon Society
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