Customer Reviews

Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and Other Entities of the Coastal Environment

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

 

 

For the past four years I have had a place at the beach. Dr. Meyer's book has become our bible. Using it, shells, shorebirds and seaside flora are easily identified by my family, friends and renters. Being an amateur photographer, I am in total awe of the skill of the other physician who took the pictures.

My goal in purchasing this book, which pulls together information about birds, shells, dune plants, and fish was to be able to pack one slim volume instead of the bag of field guides I usually took to the Outer Banks. After two trips to North Carolina in the last year, I have found that I still need to carry a couple of other references because this is not comprehensive in any one of its categories--and how could it be at 148 pages? However, Meyer's guide does manage to cover many of the specimens commonly found along the Carolina coast. Furthermore, it is written in a graceful voice that keeps you reading long after you've put a name to the beastie you found on the beach. It is not childish or simple at all, but it can be used by the entire family. It stirs wonder.

Overall an ok book for a beginner. If you come into this as a naturalist you will likely be disapointed. There are some other serious problems that I was able to spot straight out.

Plate 40. "Auger Shells" One of the 'augers' is not only NOT an auger and it's not even from the Carolinas at all. It's the Common Vertagus (a certh) from the Indo-Pacific (likely from the Philippines).

Plate 54. "Oyster Drills". Contains several Murexes in addition to the drills.

Plate 59. Sundials. The figured Sundial is not The American Sundial (Architectonica nobilis) but rather the Clear Sundial (Architectonica perspectiva) also from the Indo-Pacific.

The substitution of shells from the other side of the world really shows sloppy work in this guide. The other major problem I have with the book is that it just isn't complete enough; it only shows a small fraction of the plants and animals that one finds on Carolina coasts. The naturalist who trys to depend on this book will likely be frustrated and will find that they need other guides. As an introduction for a beginner it is ok, short the above noted plate problems.

Being a transplant from Michigan, I had little knowledge of coastal animals and plants. I purchased this book to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not knowledgeable enough as the other reviewer who found the inaccuracies in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The information is presented in a very interesting way and all the photographs are in color. I can't wait to spend more time on the coast and see some of the creatures myself. I'll definitely have this guide on hand. I also enjoyed the respect the author has for nature.

The second edition of Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast is the ideal resource for visitors to our shores. As a serious amateur seashore naturalist, I know they have innumerable questions about hermit and horseshoe crabs, sand dollars, sea urchins, seashells, birds and fish. They ask about marshes and mudflats, sea oats and grasses, sea turtles, sand dunes, barrier islands and hurricanes. Their curiosity about sharks, stingrays and skates is insatiable.

In Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast Peter Meyer writes on each of those topics and hundreds of others with the scientific accuracy we expect of him while remaining at a level the average beachcomber understands. Explaining everything from microscopic plankton to whales and alligators, Meyer includes 150 color photographs and over 200 drawings of everything from a delicate brittle star to water cycling from the ocean to clouds and back again. Without neglecting other topics, Meyer provides superb information about crabs and other crustaceans, an area in which he is exceptionally knowledgeable.

Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast is laced with both humor and reverence for our threatened natural resources. It takes visitors beyond an annual summer vacation at the beach to new-found respect for the environment. They leave not only knowing about animals they saw and the relationship between the moon and tides but also understanding that they must work to ensure that their grandchildren will hold sea stars and hermit crabs in their hands.

WE took this to the beach with us this year and my kids used it every day. WE had so much fun with it. The pictures in the book are great for identifying shells, fish, etc. at the SC and NC Coast. We found a lot of the things pictured in the book. Easy to understand descriptions! I recommend this book to anyone ... especially homeschooling families!!!

This is one of the most useful books I've ever owned. I gave my first edition to my grandson who lives near the coast, and ordered the updated version. Great for identification of shells, birds, fish, etc, but packed with useful info about the natural life of the Carolina Coast. Highly recommend.

This is an excellent book for anyone that enjoys the Carolina coast. It covers a large variety of topics with interesting detail that is easy to understand. Dr. Peter Meyer obviously loves and greaty appreciates the Carolina coast. He illustrates the harmony of the environment and the need to preserve the precious beaches and marshlands. The book will definitely accompany me on my next visit to the Carolina coastline.