A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore [Paperback]

Joanna Burger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

Description: literary trip along the Jersey Shore.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore, Burger, a professor of biological sciences and a long-time shore dweller, offers a collection of essays depicting the plant and animal life of the Jersey Shore. Although Burger writes about a specific area, the organisms and habitats she describes are common in coastal areas ranging from the Carolinas up through Maine. The essays are both informative and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the natural habitat while educating readers about the coastal ecosystem. Burger nicely captures the spirit of the shore in her essays. Burger collaborated on the research for The Hudson River, which addresses the diversity of life along the famous New York State river. The authors, a professor and two environmental educators, have compiled a complete guide to the natural history and heritage of the Hudson. They cover plant and animal life native to the Hudson, as well as the river's history and the economic and environmental issues surrounding it. The well-organized text is enhanced with numerous black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Like A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore, The Hudson River is thoroughly researched and well written and would be of interest to naturalists, nature lovers, scientists, and bird or animal watchers in its geographic area. Both books are recommended for libraries where interest warrants.
Deborah Emerson, Monroe Community Coll. Lib., Rochester, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; Presumed First Edition edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813523001
• ISBN-13: 978-0813523002
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She followed a dream across the water.., August 23, 1999

By 

DJ Rix (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore (Paperback)

Without a doubt the most fascinating book I have ever read on what happens out on those little sand islands in Jersey's bays. Why? Because Joanna Burger took a few supplies out in a little boat & lived on one. She followed the dream of so many young human "shorebirds" who longed to escape the crowded beaches & waterfront developments to see where the birds lived. This isn't polite ecology with fine line drawings & quotations from Thoreau, but hot piles of sands baking in the sun & wretched North Atlantic winter weather.

By going to the heart of our shore's natural beauty, Burger also finds the ongoing threats. True, the waterfowl population has increased over the past 40 years, several species at the expense of others. But road runoff is killing the bays & so-called "personal watercraft" (jet skis) are wrecking intertidal wetlands, creating incredible noise pollution & bringing hundreds of knuckleheads into first contact with the wildlife that has found relative safety from human interference in our back bays, estuaries & marshes.

I can't emphasize strongly enough the importance of Burger's writings. They should be taught in our schools & be required reading for everyone who ventures out on to the wonderlands that exist behind our stressed out barrier islands.

A beautiful & unique book. The birds love her & so do I. Give this scientist a laurel wreath, if you can find her.

Bob Rixon, WFMU-FM

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a Great Book!, March 14, 2003

By 

Bob Zipoli (Howell, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore (Hardcover)

If you are interested in nature and/or live along the Jersey Shore this book is wonderful to read. I've been to most of the places she describes and never saw all that was there. Joanna Burger brings to life the nature around us even in a crowded place like NJ.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars eh!, June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Naturalist Along the Jersey Shore (Paperback)

this book is just eh!
i was expecting this wonderful survey of nj, having read from journal articles by joanna burger.
The book is a drag to read, although informative and containing subject matter not tackled by anyone else.
having had dr. burger as a professor at rutgers, i would say read the book, don't take the class.