Ecology and Natural History (Collins New Naturalist Library)

As a recently retired university ecology lecturer I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the way ecological concepts are applied to British habitats and I must admit this would have been an invaluable aid to my own teaching had I had it years ago. A wide range of ecological concepts are covered and the book is well written and well illustrated as you'd expect for a New Naturalist book. Thoroughly recommended.

Unlike the previous reviewer, my copy thankfully arrived in good condition, excepting a very minor crease on the back of the dust jacket. With their weighty glossy paper, New Naturalist volumes are quite heavy; although not this time they can often arrive bashed or scraped to a greater or lesser extent, which is disappointing when they are often bought partly for their beautiful design. The publishers could well do with either using thicker shrink wrap, or, ideally, packaging them in a thin cardboard slipcase for transit - surely this would only cost a pittance compared to the price of a hardback in this series?Regarding the content of the book, the author has created an accessible account of the principles of ecology, while maintaining scientific rigour. The quality of the images is characteristic of the better volumes for photos in this series. The result is an engaging and immensely readable NN volume - one to be read by the general reader from cover to cover.

This is a fascinating study. As a non scientist I was concerned that it might be a struggle. I need not have worried it is a clear exposition of the subject in accessible language. Highly recommended.

This book is for a collector. It has wrinkles in the top of pages 1-44 which obviously detracts from its value. I have already returned one copy, which was in the same condition. I can’t see the point in returning it again, since clearly there is a problem with the batch of books.I am very disappointed

My Ecology was sadly rusty and out of date. Consequently this book was a godsend. The easily readable style takes you on a tour of Britain using familiar sites and habitats to explain many ecological theories and principles- I was actually a bit sad to finish it as it felt like saying farewell to a really excellent tour guide!

This is ideal reading for anyone with the slightest interest in ecology and natural history. The book is erudite, well written and nicely illustrated, and covers the latest research and ideas in the field of ecology. The reader is challenged to think, but is not bogged down with science and statistics in what is a very accessible and readable work. The author avoids a south of England bias by including a range areas such as the Cairngorms, Cumbria, Teesdale, parts of Wales, Wicken Fen and Selbourne. An excellent work for anyone preparing to study ecology. Thoroughly enjoyed.