Truly a fascinating review of the role of predation in a healthy ecosystem, this book offers startling evidence of the dire consequences of removing top predators. Stolzenburg is a fine addition to that stable of writers in the genre of David Quammen, all of whom deliver important facts in highly readable ways.

Very high quality field guide indeed. Well written, superbly illustrated. An essential tool for everyone visiting this tiny country with its incredible avian diversity.

Adult gulls pose very little problem in identifying them. Intermediate plumages are another matter entirely. This work is very helpful in teasing out some of the characters that assist in identifying sub adult gulls one is likely to encounter in North America. Well done.

As far as I know this is the only book dedicated to these families. And a fine work it is too. Filled with information, illustrated to a very high standard indeed, it is a work one will refer to over and over. Hancock and Kushlan continue their long history of cross-Atlantic collaboration to produce yet another first class monograph. Highly recommended.

Tui de Roy has dedicated a good part of her life to the study of albatrosses. Drawing on the expertise of many other authorities she has produced a book of outstanding quality, with wonderful photographs of these magnificent birds involved in every aspect of their daily lives. This is a tour de force deserving a place on the shelf of professional and amateur ornithologist alike.

I had never previously been particularly fond of photographic identification guides, but this work is an exception. It is extremely well done and even contains little quizzes to reinforce the skills developed by using it. It has become my "go to" field guide for this difficult family of birds.

Carl Safina is Mr. Albatross and this poignant account of the journeys of Amelia highlights the plight of this magnificent creature and the danger that humans represent to every other life form on the planet. Long line fishing not only depletes fish stocks it kills seabirds by the thousands.

Fabulous book. I previously owned Munias and Mannakins. This book continues with the same high standards and close attention to detail. Highly recommended.

As with everything that Robert Ridgely has ever done, this volume is excellent. The world of ornithology owes a huge debt of gratitude to Ridgely for his life-long commitment to the avifauna of South America.

As is always the case with Dr. Newton's books, this one is well-written and filled with information from the very first page to the last. It provides a complete and detailed account of the historical context of biogeographic speciation, with useful insights into modern techniques involving DNA for identifying unique species or subspecies.
For anyone interested in avian taxonomy I highly recommend this work.