Gila Monster: Facts and Folklore of America's Aztec Lizard [Paperback]

David E. Brown (Author), Neil B. Carmony (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0944383181 | ISBN-13: 978-0944383186 | Publication Date: June 1993 | Edition: 2

The Gila Monster spends 99% of its life underground, making encounters with this lizard extremely rare. Sightings are infrequent even for the biologists who study them. When one does stumble upon a Gila Monster, however, this slow-moving lizard is not easily forgotten. Advertised by orange-and-black coloration and followed by stories of venomous power, the Gila Monster carries a mystique like that of few other animals.

In this volume, authors David Brown and Neil Carmony dig out the tall tales, dispel the myths, and reveal the lizard’s true character. Through a collection of biological and historical facts mixed with entertaining stories, they have created an illuminating account of America’s largest and only poisonous lizard. Written in an engaging style, The Gila Monster is a fun and educational read for all who are intrigued by the Southwest and its most mysterious denizen.
 

 

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is . . . lively reading. Anyone interested in these fascinating animals, or for that matter in Southwestern folklore, should pick up a copy." -- --HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW

"What wonderful confabulations people have woven about the creature! . . . Brown and Carmony have dug into old records to give us some amazing examples of the human imagination. And with their usual grace, the two writers marry the fantastic lore to what scientists have discovered about this little-known and rarely seen reptile." -- --Peter Wild, University of Arizona --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

David E. Brown is adjunct professor of biology, Arizona State University, and author of Vampiro and Biotic Communities of the Southwest.

Neil E. Carmony, formerly a chemist with the U.S. Geological Survey, is coeditor (with David Brown) of several books about naturalists and adventurers.
 

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: High Lonesome Books; 2 edition (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944383181
• ISBN-13: 978-0944383186
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,782,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians

More About the Author

David Brown practices law in the Monterey, California area, where he has represented both landlords and tenants in hundreds of court cases -- most of which he felt could have been avoided if both sides were more fully informed about landlord/tenant law. Brown, a graduate of Stanford University (chemistry) and the University of Santa Clara Law School, also teaches law at the Monterey College of Law and is the author of Fight Your Ticket (CA version), Beat Your Ticket (the national version), The Landlord's Law Book, Vol. 1: Rights and Responsibilities; The Landlord's Law Book, Vol. 2: Evictions and co-author of How to Change Your Name in California and The Guardianship Book for California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore the cover and read the book, February 22, 2000

By 

William Schaedla (Thailand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gila Monster: Facts & Folklore Of Americas Aztec Lizard (Paperback)

It is an unfortunate fact of publishing that the people who design book covers are not the same as those who write the books. In fact, authors frequently have little or no say over how their work is packaged. I suspect this is the case for Brown and Carmony's excellent work on Gila monsters.

It is true that Gila Monster, Facts and Folklore of America's Aztec Lizard carries errors on the back cover, but there are none in the text. Indeed, Brown and Carmony communicate their fascinating subject in a manner that is both readable and accurate. They present not only a complete picture of Gila Monster biology, but also a fascinating look the animals' cultural significance. I heartily urge this book for anyone who has an interest in the herpetology, natural history, or folklore of the American Southwest.

5.0 out of 5 stars Retirement item for a friend, January 7, 2012

By 

FMA (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gila Monster: Facts and Folklore of America's Aztec Lizard (Paperback)

Purchased this book for a colleague who just retired from the US Government - he lives in Tucson and loves to find Gila Monsters in his area - has observed them near his home. I am sure he will enjoy the book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to the lizard, July 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gila Monster: Facts and Folklore of America's Aztec Lizard (Paperback)

Fascinating information regarding early envenomations in the American West, a good bibliography, and wonderful introduction to the subject suitable for any naturalist.