1 comments about Quick & Easy Ball Python Care (Quick & Easy).

1. this book has a lot of info for new snaker owners. they only thing that was wrong with my book is that the box that it was in bent all of the pages but that is no biggy. but ill give the book 4 stars :)

2 comments about Welsh Springer Spaniel (World of Dogs).

1. This book is an exceedingly good book for information on the Welsh Springer Spaniel. There are large chapters on the past of the breed (the way the WSS originated). There is also a chapter on deciding whether or not a Welsh is a good dog for your family. If you are considering judging a WSS, this book has color photos of the author (an ex-judge) judging the breed. It also talks about how to groom a Welsh Springer, including before, during and after color photos of the breed being trimmed. I thoroughly recommend this book to Welshie fanciers, young and old.



2. Really enjoyable book with great photographs and super histories of the welsh springer's introduction into several coutries, including the United States. Very readable and highly recommended.

5 comments about The Guide to Owning a Cornish Rex Cat (RE 418).

1. I was given this book as a gift in preparation for my new Cornish Rex kitten. I found it very informative. The author only confirmed my interest in having one of these incredible cats with personality plus++. The most important fact, for me, was her discussion of this breed's low tolerance to the pre-anesthetic, Ketamine. For the "pet quality" owner who will be spaying or neutering their Rex, this is certainly an important topic to discuss pre-operatively with your veterinarian.



2. Greta's book is great. It is extremely informative. This is a great book for people with Cornishes in their family or ones who want to have one in their family. I learned so much more about my cat since I got her book. Excellent photos! A++++



3. when i first got my two cornish rex, i read all that i could find on the cornish rex breed, and i discovered that there were no comprehensive books on them. i really needed some tips + how-to's specific to rexes. fortunately, greta's book provides that. the text is informative and easy to read, as well as entertaining. thanks, greta! from one owner who's happier + a little more confident in her cat care now.



4. This book is a wonderful reference for the Cornish Rex owner (really someone owned by a Cornish Rex!) or for people considering taking one of these balls of energy and loving, non-stop attention into their lives. These cats are a little different... and Greta Huls takes you through background, grooming, feeding, healthcare and breed standards in a very interesting, straightforward and informative way. For instance, the information on the breed's intolerance to pre-op drugs is invaluable and possibly a lifesaver. In addition, the wonderful photographs perfectly illustrate the Cornish Rex's beauty and character.



5. As a devoted breeder of this wonderful breed of cats, I can wholeheartly recommend Greta's new book. She did her homework quite well and picked many breeders brains to come up with a great finished product. And a very much needed book for this breed. A+++++++++

4 comments about Setup and Care of Freshwater Aquariums (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

1. 25 years ago I kept 12+ aquariums and thought I would buy a couple of books to get back in the swing of things. I bought this book thinking it was going to be refresher...man was I wrong. As soon as I saw the fake color of the fish on the cover I knew I was being hooked by a slick "Animal Planet Book"
   
   This book poorly attempts to instruct the reader by explaining topics only half way. For the "Absolute Uniformed" this will seem like lots of good information, however the key points could be made much more simply and clearly in half the number of pages.
   
   This book completely misses the opportunity to include "How To Pictures" and illustrations to support the text. A picture is worth a thousand words...but I guess that well known clique is missed by the "Animal Planet's" publication staff.
   
   I would strongly recommend as an alternative "Setting Up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week" by Stuart Thraves. This book has 10 times the information in twice the number of pages and has excellent illustrations to support the text. It is well organized so that it can be used as a reference because undoubtedly the average new enthusiast will need to read sections as issues arise.



2. I bougth this book because I am planning to buy an aquarium and I don't have any idea abouth this subject. I really enjoyed reading this book because it is simple, and gave me a very good picture of the things that I need to do to set up an aquarium successfully. It gives a very good introduction if you are not familiar with aquariums. This book is a must if you are getting your first aquarium.



3. This book gives a very comprehensive overview of all aspects one would want to explore when keeping a freshwater fish tank.



4. If you're a first-time aquarium owner interested in the basics of setting up a freshwater aquarium, Freshwater Aquariums is the perfect starting point. Envision a simple, easily-followed book packing in colorful photos to illustrate fish care and set-up, tips on species selection and maintenance, and colorful charts and sidebars of fish information and you will realize what a useful, attractive and easy manual you have here.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Autobiography of a Georgia Cat.

No comments about The Pets Speak.

No comments about A New Owner's Guide to Collies (New Owner's Guide To...).

No comments about Running a Stables as a Business.

1 comments about Book of the Labrador Retriever.

1. Even though it was written over a decade ago, Nicholas' book on the Labrador Retriever remains one of the better books available on this breed. It is becoming a little outdated on some of the information on the show and field scenes, but it remains highly informative for those thinking about buying a Labrador Retriever. It is also profusely illustrated with a wealth of photos. If you will buy only one book on the Labrador Retriever, this should be it. It describes the breed's development in Canada and Britain in the last century, outlines its ability to work out in the field retrieving birds, and brings the reader up to date on the show scene up to the early 80's. In addition, it includes chapters on the care and training of the Labrador Retriever.

5 comments about Living Snakes of the World in Color.

1. For a combination of photos, natural history, and care notes on so many species of snakes, this book cannot be beat. I just bought my second copy, so that i can have one in mint.
   
   Even though this book was published several years ago, the care info in it is solid. If you are halfway interested in snakes, this is a definate book for you.



2. The book is intended to provide a basic overview of 400+ species of snake. Therefore, no time is wasted on introductions. The book is divided first into 3 categories: primitave snakes, Colubrids, and venomous snakes. These groups are further divided into family groups/regional groups. The author provides usually one (often more) color photograph to accompany the description of each individual species. Information is provided on habitat, geographic range, natural history, size, care, and reproduction for each species. With a few exceptions, the phototography is excellent. The overviews are brief, but the author provides information & photos of more species that I have found in any single book. The book is excellent for readers interested in venomous snakes. Over 1/3 of the book is dedicated to hard-to-find information/photos on sea snakes, elapids, viperids, and crotalids. The book contains a brief section on snake venom. The biggest weakness of the book is probably it's age (1987), but it is still well worth the investment. While the information on each snake is brief, I have not found a book containing species-specific information on as many species as the Mehertens book. To receive equivalent information, you would need to purchase multiple regional guides. A great guide for professionals and amateur snake lovers!



3. I have had this book for a while now and still refer to it when I have questions about food and habitat for certain species. I am still for a book that talks about all species of snakes whether they are common in captivity or almost(in some cases thought to be) extinct. The book covered the material it was designed for and was all in all a very good book.



4. This book attempts to provide expansive coverage of snakes commonly seen by the public in zoos, private collections, and the pet trade. Ultimately, I was a bit disappointed by the book.

   This book provides minimal, and I do mean minimal, coverage of "164 genera, 413 species, and 454 subspecies" according to the dust jacket. Of necessity, the amount of coverage devoted to each snake is limited. Still there's enough text to provide an overview of the species. Unfortunately, the book fails to mention many of the species that are currently available as reptile pets. More than half of the book is devoted to poisonous snakes, most of which the average reader is unlikely ever to encounter. I would have traded, say, the 15 pages of coverage on poisonous sea snakes for more discussion of snakes I'd be likely to see in my backyard or neighborhood pet store. Additionally, because the book is now over 10 years old, its taxonomy for a number of species is not longer correct or complete.

   One of the big distinctions of this book is that it provides color photographs of all the species it describes. In most cases, the photographs range from good to excellent. This makes the blurry and out-of-focus pictures (e.g. Dumeril's boa on pp. 23 and blood python on pp. 59) stick out like a sore thumb. Some of these problems may be related to the printing of my copy, but in a number of cases the problems are a result of poor photographic technique. Especially frustrating when the species being photographed is commonly available! Still, these flaws are forgivable when compared against the general quality of the book.

   "Living Snakes of the World in Color" succeeds at providing a pictorial introduction to hundreds of species of snake. Those uninterested in poisonous snakes, or those looking for comprehensive coverage of snakes available as "pets" might be better off with another book (although I have yet to find a reasonably priced book that fits the bill).




5. Excellent color pictures mixed with a well-written and professional text. All to all a balanced book. Novice or expert, you will enjoy many hours of good reading. (an extra plus for the "care" section of each animal, useful and often hard to come by.)