Dragonflies (Smithsonian's Natural World Series) [Paperback]

Steve Brooks (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smithsonian's Natural World Series | Publication Date: March 17, 2003

Dragonflies and damselflies have lived on earth for hundreds of millions of years, and there are thousands of different species living in watery environments throughout the world. But few people will have looked beyond the flash of blue, red, green or yellow to consider the lives of dragonflies.

These masters of aerial combat are the best fliers in the animal kingdon. Harmless to humans, yet a dreaded predator in the insect world, dragonflies swoop after prey, fight rivals, hover like helicopters as they defend territory, and engage in elaborate courtship displays. Brooks explains how ferocious larvae bloom into masters of aerial predation and reveals the beauty and complex lives of these intriguing insects.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Brooks is a research entomologist with The Natural History Museum, London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (March 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588340643
• ISBN-13: 978-1588340641
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction, September 1, 2010

By 

Ashtar Command "Seeker" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonflies (Smithsonian's Natural World Series) (Paperback)

Steve Brooks' book "Dragonflies" is an excellent introduction to the Odonata or odonates, a group of insects comprising dragonflies, damselflies and anisozygopterans. The book looks like a shorter version of Jill Sillsby's "Dragonflies of the world", and seems to be partially based on that book.

Brooks covers all aspects of dragonfly and damselfly behaviour: feeding, mating, flying, the larval stages. There is a chapter on odonates and humans. There is also a section mentioning every known family of the Odonata. The book is superbly illustrated with glowing photos, all in colour. (It should be noted that the anisozygopterans are mentioned mostly in passing. But then, there are only two species of those!)

"Dragonflies" is definitely worth buying if you have even a passing interest in these large, sturdy and completely harmless bugs...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dragonflies - Very Good !, July 22, 2011

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5/0 "Outdoors USA" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dragonflies (Smithsonian's Natural World Series) (Paperback)

"Dragonflies" by Steve Brooks is a splendid volume for anyone who could probably survive a high school Biology class or perhaps Biology 101 in college. Brooks does a very good job of presenting Dragonflies and Damselflies to the reader with a notably concise but well-planned, comprehensive and accurate style. This book would be a most excellent primer for anyone and, in spite of its' brevity (96 pages with plenty of photos and drawings), will advance the reader's knowledge by a considerable degree... and do it painlessly.