The Book of the Spider (Hardcover)

~ Paul Hillyard (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Nothing pleases me more than to come upon an impressive orb-web with a large spider sitting head-down in the middle," Paul Hillyard writes in the preface to this charming collection of spider legends and observations. And while many of us may not share his desire to get really close to arachnids, even a certified spider-hater can find something interesting in The Book of the Spider--if only confirmation that they are worthy objects of horror. Gruesome reports of 30-foot webs and gangrenous spider-bites are countered by legends of luck-bringing and facts about ecological usefulness. Hillyard not only describes the major types of spiders and their incredible habits, he reports on spiders in art, mythology and religion. There's even (shudder) a recipe for barbecued blue-legged tarantula, served al fresco! If you love spiders, you must have this entertaining, informative book to add to your store of arachnid facts--you'll be the life of the party. If you run in fear from our eight-legged friends, cure your phobia by reading all the way to the last chapter, entitled "From Arachnophobia to the Love of Spiders." Then you, too, will come to appreciate the old English nursery rhyme: If you wish to live and thrive/Let the spider run alive. --Therese Littleton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Like a cunningly designed web, Hillyard's survey and appreciation of the world's most despised, yet most beloved, creepy-crawlies will ensnare readers from arachnophobes to arachnophiles. Hillyard, who maintains the national collection of spiders at London's Natural History Museum, knows a good spider story when he hears one, and tells many here. In an engaging yet scientifically rigorous manner, he covers arachnophobia; spiders in myth and literature; venomous, aeronautic and other types of spiders; webs and spider silk; the conservation of spiders and the history of spiderology. He serves up tales of folk remedies that call for eating live spiders; of the Australian funnel-web spider, which "strikes repeatedly and furiously at anything that moves"; of how, in 1876, a Chinese delegation presented Queen Victoria with a gown made of spider silk; of New Guinea natives using spiderwebs as fish-nets; of American arachnologist W.J. Baerg coolly observing the effects of his experiment in being bitten by a black widow. The only strand missing?and sorely missed?in Hillyard's design is any thorough discussion of spiders in popular culture, particularly in film. Even so, this literary web holds strong and tight, and is a must destination for anyone fascinated by these eight-legged, many-eyed, venom-dripping, fanged beasts of prey. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 218 pages
• Publisher: Random House (August 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679408819
• ISBN-13: 978-0679408819
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,085,257 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spidery delight, August 17, 2003

By	A. Solway (Hereford, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Book of the Spider (Paperback)

This is not what you would call an information book, although there is plenty of excellent information in it, from a guy who really knows his spiders. It's more of a casual stroll through the sometimes unpleasant but never boring world of spiders, plucking the juiciest tidbits of information as it goes. If you need a systematic overview, this isn't the book for you. But as a good read that takes you through the highs (web-building) and the lows (how they eat) of the spider world, it's unbeatable.

One more thing: the design of the book (inside) is a delight. Unfortunately this edition does not have the original cover, which was excellent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, December 1, 2003

By	C. M. Good "conniescave" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Book of the Spider (Paperback)

Only 3% of the human population enjoys spiders! If you are one of those rare folks or a lay scientist this little gem of a book will charm and educate you with hundreds of fascinating facts. The prodigious talents and feats of many different types of spiders are described accurately and precisely.Written in a conversational style the varied topics of facts, history, myth, are explored with an often whimsical and affectionate eye. Astound your friends with little known spider facts, recite lengthy, descriptive spider poems to your loved one. Includes an extensive biography for further research. It's a keeper for me, I look forward to impressing my grandchildren, having already amazed my 14-y/o for years with my spider facts and stories...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Cool Spider Book For All Ages!, September 7, 2004

By	S. Henkels (Devon, Pa United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

About the only point of contention is that the author feels as many people love spiders as hate them! (Does he really belive that?) Outside of that small complaint , this is among the best creepy crawly books out there! Starting out with the mythological birth of spiders in Lucretius's "Metamorphosis", you'll learn all about the truly weird creatures we have labelled "Arachnids". From the Tarantula dance to Darwin's comment on some very strange specimens, to gossamer skies, and various poisons, you can't miss with this one! Includes some nifty drawings, too! So if you have any interest in the huges Spider species, check this book out!