From Library Journal
These two additions to the wealth of published information on big cats will appeal to very different audiences. Less than 50 percent text, Grace's book on lions only scratches the surface of the lion's evolution, adaptations, communication mechanisms, and day-to-day existence and survival challenges. The author, a Canadian zoologist and nature writer (The Nature of Monarch Butterflies), provides an additional chapter on mythology and symbolism, contact with humans, man-eaters, and conservation issues. The highlight of this book is the extensive high-quality photography provided by world-renowned wildlife photographer Wolfe, whose award-winning work has been featured in magazines such as National Geographic and Smithsonian. While it also has exceptional photos, Karanth's book places much more emphasis on content. Born and raised in India, where he has conducted research for over 20 years, Karanth is a conservation zoologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York. That he loves his tigers and is passionate about their welfare is obvious. The organization of the text itself is fairly standard. Karanth starts out with conservation concerns and our fascination with big cats, then considers their evolution, ecology, and behavior and ends with recommended readings. He does not provide new information on tigers but instead reaffirms the research of conservationists George Schaller, John Seidensticker, and Fiona Sunquist. Readers who just can't have too many books about big cats will want them both, though Grace's book will appeal primarily to those who are looking for pictorial representations and brief descriptions. Small and mid-sized libraries will do well with just The Way of the Tiger. Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Lions are the embodiment of the term
big cat. The male lion in particular, with his luxuriant mane and enormous head, has fascinated humans since both species' debuts on the plains of Africa. Grace, author of numerous books on nature, presents a succinct look at what makes a lion. Expanding on the dictionary definition of "large, roaring cat," the author begins with a quick view of the evolution of lions, a look at their anatomy, and a discussion of basic behavior. A second section covers the lion's world, beginning with mating and the birth of cubs. The interplay of the land, the herbivores (prey), and the lions (predators) fills the rest of the section, with a nice description of the hunt. A final section examines the relationship between lions and humans. The importance of lions' sociality, unique among cats, is woven throughout the text. Wolfe's magnificent photographs bring the book to life and help recommend this nice introduction to all libraries.
Nancy BentCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
