Customer Reviews

Insects: Revised and Updated (Golden Guide)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This title is actually one of the earliest in a very successful list of Golden Guides. It quickly brings the reader up to speed on the subject of insects in general and proceeds to lure him onward with fascinating information about each of the referenced insects in turn. When I arrived in New England, after an early childhood of city dwelling, my forays into woods and field, guidebook in hand, were some of the most educational times of my young life. I still have my original, ragged, copy of "American Insects" and treasure it.

Almost the first book on insects that I ever acquired was a hardbound edition of this little guide in the early 1950s. Indeed, I wore out several copies before I graduated to Lutz's "Field Book of Insects" and later more up to date guides. While a bit behind in modern systematics, this guide still has enchanting pictures, mostly the same ones I poured over during my childhood. It was here I first caught the insect "bug" that eventually propelled me into a career in biological sciences. Zim's early "Golden Guide to Insects" was a magic carpet into the fantastic world of insects and I think that it must still be luring young people to at least appreciate the six-legged crowd. I know that the images in this book are still burned into my brain, especially that of the beautiful buckeye butterfly and the various horned scarab and carrion beetles.

I highly recommend this book for children as a first insect book, but I sort of wish they had kept the original yellow cover!

This book is the best first step into the fascinating world of insects even after all those years. (My copy is from 1956). Written by experts but in a "familiarised" style that reach everyone. A lot of meaningful information presented in such a simple and lively way. You'll find it hard to stop reading once you'll get into it. Colorful illustrations are superbs. Many insects are illustrated beside their larva stage and typical environment wich is great. It is surprising how much amazement such a small book can generate. Recommended above any other to introduce children(from 4 to 100 years old and above!)to the world of insects. This book is a tiny jewel!

This is the first book I remember owning. Children are fasinated by insects and this book lets them see pictures of real insects which they can find them in their yards. I give a copy of this to anyone I know turning 3 or up. I have yet to have anyone NOT enjoy it. It is also a help to those childen (and moms) who fear bugs. It is a great way to teach respect for all creatures. Get this and an empty jar and you can have tons of fun with your child.

Even if you didn't read a word of the educational information concerning the orders of insects this book is worth the photos alone. Outstanding as a field guide, the photos are excellent, and often include inset photos of larvae. Handy ID notes right on the photos point out details of the insect to make identification easier. A photo Table of Contents will help you zero right in on the order of the insect in question. This is not the only bug book I have, but by far the most used. Though featuring insects of all of North America, each photo and description tell you the range so you know if the insect you are questioning is even in your area. If you even have a mild interest in insects, this makes a great "picture book" to peruse, but for those who are seriously interested in ID'ing and learning it is an indispensable tool.

Price and size are what makes this guide so great. It provides a good overview of insects in a very portable format, particularly for my young daughter to put in her pocket before we explore the great outdoors.

The small size, however, means that the illustrations are not as large or detailed as we would prefer. It also limits the amount of specific information that can be included. We recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest and have found region-specific books (particularly from Lone Pine Publishers) to be superb.

I recommend this as a great resource at a very good price.

This compact book is nicely done and the pictures and commentary an easy reference.

This is a great book, gives lot of information. Was not expecting it to be a small book. It is very small compared to other books by the same company.

Actually I thought I was ordering The Audubon Society Field Guide, and I received the St. Martin's Press Golden Guide. I guess the Audubon book is out of print, but the little Golden Guide is a fine substitute. I'm a Master Gardener and need to identify various "bugs" that are brought in for identification. The illustrations in this book are very useful. Also the book is tiny and can be carried in a pocket when out in the field. It's easy to use too. I'd give it five stars.

These Golden books have changed little over the years but there is little need to. They provide an inexpensive guide for kids and adults in a pocket size that often proves more usefull than larger, more expensive versions. Be aware that you aren't getting any deal buying through Amazon (basically list price).