The Birds of Africa, Volume V: [Hardcover]

Emil K. Urban (Author), Stuart Keith (Author), C. Hilary Fry (Author), Martin Woodcock (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1997

Universally recognized as by far the most authoritative and comprehensive work ever published, Birds of Africa, Volume V is the second of four volumes to deal with the Passerine birds of the continent. The families treated fall into the following groups: thrushes, Old World warblers, Old World flycatchers, monarch flycatchers wattle-eyes and puffback flycatchers. The editors and artists have worked closely with nine other authors--all acknowledged experts on their bird families--to produce a superb reference in which encyclopedic texts on every species are complemented by accurate and detailed paintings and drawings of the birds themselves. Full bibliographies, acoustic references and indexes complete this marvelous reference.

Key Features
* Continues the high quality of this highly regarded series
* Provides the only comprehensive Handbook treatment of African birds

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Birds of Africa keep on getting better and better. Volume 5 confirms the trend. One can easily take for granted the staggering amount of work, by authors, illustrators and editors, that goes into such a book, but by any standards, Volume 5 is a magnificent achievement: the sheer depth and compass are breathtaking. Will it become a standard reference? Should you rush out and buy it (and Volumes 1-4, if you haven't already)? It will, and you should."
--Leon Bennun in IBIS
"This series of books is bound to be the standard by which all others will be judged for many years to come."
--Paul Donald, BIRD STUDY
"When one thinks of the sheer enormity of this project, the beauty and accuracy of the result earns this... unusually high marks. In every way [the] work complements the diverse and fascinating panorama of African birds."
--Larry Schwab, in THE WILSON BULLETIN
"All in all, the series is essential for the serious Africa birder and this last volume is certainly well up to the mark."
--ALULA
"The magnitude of the editors' undertaking in preparing this monumental series is perhaps fully appreciated only by those who have themselves labored on works covering large segments of a diverse tropical fauna. The effort expended on the present volume, and its predecessors, has been enormous and remarkably successful considering the immensity of the project. The Birds of Africa belongs in all natural history museums and university libraries. It is, of course, indispensable for anyone with a serious interest in African birds."
--THE AUK
"More than any other volume, this book opened up for me a new world of African ornithology. Many of the species have been obscured by nomenclatural tangles, taxonomic uncertainty, drab colouration, remote range, difficulty of identification or secretive habits. Here, for the first time, all these problems are untangled and a feast of new information presented, new insights offered and my ignorance exposed. The series will remain my key reference for years to come and I recommend it to all who can afford the financial outlay. The end of a wonderful and lasting project is now in sight."
--OSTRICH
"...the sheer magnitude of their endeavour does justice to the variety of African birds. One cannot imagine any bird book being as authoritative and comprehensive on the birds of Africa as this one."
--BABBLER
"The series as a whole is destined to be the definitive work on African ornithology for many years to come. It is one of the best handbooks that I have seen and is a joy to use. This volume in particular is a magnificent work and I can thoroughly recommend it, whether you intend to visit Africa or not."
--BES BULLETIN

From the Inside Flap

"It is impossible to not be impressed by the spacious design and almost opulent feel to this tome. All paintings are by Martin Woodcock: a stunning achievement, with 312 species illustrated by 676 portraits on 32 plates. The texts are comprehensive, but not overpowering. It is providing us with one of the great sets of reference handbooks devoted to a single continent. This is an essential purchase for every serious ornithological library. With the recently formed and thriving African Bird Club, there will also be many birdwatchers who will want to own their personal set of volumes."--J.T.R. Sharrock

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 669 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press/Academic Press (July 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121373053
• ISBN-13: 978-0121373054
• Product Dimensions: 15.5 x 12.7 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,652,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, November 16, 1999

By 

Wayne G. Dengel, Sr. ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Birds of Africa, Volume V: (Hardcover)

Your price on this book ~ The Birds of Africa (Vol 5) ~ is no better than buying it anyplace else including from the publisher.

Regards, Wayne