Customer Reviews

Galapagos Diary

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Galapagos Diary" is a delightful book. It has two levels of reader focus. The "top" level of focus is targetted to the reader who desires to relax and see birds in their environment. It contains "portraits" of the bird population featuring photographs by Barnaby Hall. It appears to be designed for relaxation and enjoyment as opposed to detailed study. The second level appears to be intended for the "student." It uses a unique combination of photographs and sketches to present the characteristics of the Galapagos' birds, their actions, and their environment. The two-level focus of the volume makes the book a desirable gift, because it targets a wide range of readers with varying backgrounds, interests, and ages. You don't need to know how to spell ornithologist to enjoy it.

Galapagos Diary was one Christmas present I couldn't seem to put down. Although I have never visited the Islands and have no special interest in wildlife, I found the pictures remarkable and the text compelling. I had no idea such unusual creatures inhabited the Galapagos Islands. The Blue Footed Boobies (now, really, who comes up with these names?) are my favorite with Great Frigatebirds coming in a close second. The book's young photographer, Barnaby Hall, is incredibly talented for his age--he looks to have been around 15 when he took these. What a professional job! I naturally recommend this book for anyone planning a trip to the Galapagos (it has a helpful section with sketches to help identify the birds and other wildlife), but also for anyone with a general interest in nature. If you like those Nature specials on television, this book is for you. As for me, I've added the Galapagos Islands to my list of Places to Go in the future!

Heinzel and Hall have as the title suggests provided a diary with the last 100 pages being hand written notes and sketches of the birds encountered on their travels on the Galapagos Islands. The first 158 pages are rich in photographs of the birds found on the islands in their natural habitat. Photographs of some of the other animals found on the islands are included but the major focus of the book is the birds.

I couldn't believe the panning review below. The pix are great in this colorful, beautifully laid-out book. Scenic shots (Galapagos is not the Riviera) alternate with animal close-ups, maps, and colored paintings/sketches of the inimitible wildlife. "Busy" for some, packed with value for most. A great resource! The print *is* a bit small -- this book could well be republished in coffee table sized format....

If you're a beginning birder or an expert, you'll love this diary! I'm still trying to absorb it even though I returned from the islands this week. Both the photographs and the drawings help identify and learn abou the birds. You'll not regret buying this book.

I strongly recommend not buying this book.
Visually it is a mess. The print is very small, the photographs are generally of poor quality and the layout of the pages are too busy.
The text is essentially a diary and may be of interest to the people who took the trip, but it is not well written. Although there is good information here and there you have to wade through a lot of boring text to get to it.