Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Book of Answers (Paperback)

by David Wentworth Lazaroff (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The 200,000 or so people who stroll through Tucson's Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum each year bring with them many questions: What is a desert? How is it that gophers and rattlesnakes can live in the same hole? How can I stop Gila woodpeckers from whittling down my house? If I find a desert tortoise, can I make it a pet? David Lazaroff, a biologist and writer, answers these and dozens more questions in this entertaining, intelligent book, which belongs on every Southwesterner's bookshelf. --Gregory McNamee

Review
"An excellent introduction to desert ecology . . . A very useful, and inexpensive, book." --Booklist (American Library Association)

"The 200,000 or so people who stroll through Tucson's Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum each year bring with them many questions: What is a desert? How is it that gophers and rattlesnakes can live in the same hole? How can I stop Gila woodpeckers from whittling down my house? If I find a desert tortoise, can I make it a pet? David Lazaroff, a biologist and writer, answers these and dozens more questions in this entertaining, intelligent book, which belongs on every Southwesterner's bookshelf." --Gregory McNamee --Amazon.com

"This is a book of answers to questions about the Sonoran Desert." The opening words of this excellent introduction to desert ecology are too modest -- much of the information included can be applied to all desert regions. Arising from the most frequent questions directed at the staff of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson (a distinctive combination of zoo, museum, and botanic garden), the book provides answers to 42 basic questions about desert life. The text is divided into three sections on getting to know the desert, the desert as one's backyard, and enjoying the desert. Commonsense answers are provided for such questions as: What exactly is a desert? How can I attract hummingbirds? Are cactus spines poisonous? Sidebars to many questions give more information about complex concepts, and the clear line drawings illustrate each topic. Seven useful appendixes lead the reader to additional information on topics such as climate and venomous animals. An excellent bibliography and a list of organizations round out a very useful, and inexpensive, book that is recommended for all libraries. -- Booklist, March 15, 1998

"This valuable book should find a place on every desert dweller's shelf." --Arizona Daily Star

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886679096
• ISBN-13: 978-1886679092
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,971 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book about this beautiful part of the country, September 18, 2000

By	John "John" (PHOENIX, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book for anyone that wants to learn about this desert and the plants and animals that live in it. Unlike some of the other books about this topic that are written in an academic/textbook style, this book is written in a lively, question & answer format and is full of interesting and unusual facts. I've lived in this region for over 25 years and I learned quite a bit by reading this book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just by flipping through it, I wanted to buy it!, April 3, 2000

By	"desertoasis" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

I only saw this once in the bookstore, and just by flipping through it, I knew it had to be a part of my book-collection. Just moving to the desert southwest, I have been thirsty for more about my new eco-system and home........I may not have so many dilemmas now on critters and plants..........

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Resident's Perspective, January 30, 2007

By	Ben F. Small (Tucson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a new resident, I had lots of questions about such a strange and beautiful land. Everywhere I turned for answers, I was pointed toward this book. So I bought it. The first night after it's arrival I opened it and didn't put it down until it was finished. It's not in my library, however. My wife and I refer to it so much we have to keep it closer.