Costa Rican Natural History [Hardcover]

Daniel H. Janzen (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1983

This volume is a synthesis of existing knowledge about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. The major portion of the book consists of detailed accounts of agricultural species, vegetation, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects.

"This is an extraordinary, virtually unique work. . . . The tremendous amount of original, previously unpublished, firsthand information is remarkable."—Peter H. Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden

"An essential resource for anyone interested in tropical biology. . . . It can be used both as an encyclopedia—a source of facts on specific organisms—and as a source of ideas and generalizations about tropical ecology."—Alan P. Smith, Ecology

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 832 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr (Tx) (November 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226393321
• ISBN-13: 978-0226393322
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,525,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive overview of Costa Rican flora and fauna, December 26, 1999

By 

Alex Filipkowski (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costa Rican Natural History (Paperback)

In this biological bible of Costa Rica, Janzen leaves no stone unturned. From evolutionary history to weather patterns to animals and trees, he covers all facets of basic natural science. This book is a must for anyone pursuing biological study or ecolgical interest in Costa Rica or anywhere in the New World tropics

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An example for this kind of book., April 17, 2002

By 

Martin Pruimers (Spijkenisse Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costa Rican Natural History (Paperback)

I wish every book about the natural history of a country were as thorughly compiled as this one. The only drawback is that it's too hefty and too slack to read in bed or in the hammock - you have to sit upright, but that's a small sacrifice for the great amount of easy accessible information. It's hard to stop reading this fascinating book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jam-packed!, May 30, 2004

By 

noname "invisibird" (Westchester, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costa Rican Natural History (Paperback)

I found this hyper-detailed book to be absolutely invaluable while I was in Costa Rica!

A book I found equally indispensable, which I read BEFORE I got there, was "Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made." Both books should more than adequately prepare you for a trip around 1 - 3 weeks.