The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Peter J. Grant (Author), David A. Christie (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is more complete than any of the other books published on European birds. -- Review

The only [guide to European birds] you will need. -- Joseph Kren, author of Birds of the Czech Republic

Review

If you want to have only one guide to British and European birds, this is the one to get.
(British Wildlife )

As essential as binoculars for those who take birdwatching seriously.
(New Scientist )

If you are birding in Europe, you must have this guide. It should be on the shelf of many North American bird watchers. . . . It should also be in the library of anyone who collects field guides, if for no reason other than you can occasionally take it down and be reminded of what is possible when art and design and purpose are treated as equal parts of a final product.
(Bird Watcher's Digest )

The richest and the most comprehensive of the current guides.
(The London Times )

Sixteen years in the making, it is arguably the best field guide ever produced. It certainly is by far the best I have ever seen, and it now sets a standard that must be met by future guides on both sides of the Atlantic. . . . This is a superb guide, meticulously thought-out, clearly and knowledgeably written, with the most consistently satisfying plates of any guide I have ever used. . . . This book is sheer delight. Get it!
(Clive E. Goodwin The Canadian Field-Naturalist )

The book is more complete than any of the other books published on European birds.
(Choice )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (December 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691095167
• ISBN-13: 978-0691095165
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,014,494 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "THE" authority on European birds!, March 24, 2004

By	Raul Urgelles (Hialeah, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

No need to panic...no need for warnings. Maybe it wasn't obvious to the last reviewer, but the reason why one may want to consider buying both books is obvious: this book is a magnificent reference edition, not to be carried out in the field, which is where the "Birds of Europe" paperback comes in. It is the same book and the authors are the same (it's not just Killian Mullarney in the paperback edition) but it is not an uncommon thing as they serve two different purposes. "The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe" IS the U.S. version of the "Collins Bird Guide", the much praised U.K. version which, in my opinion, offers truly helpful reviews. As far as this book goes, being a Sibley fan, I consider it the European counterpart of the Sibley guide...and oh, the price is good too.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars BE WARNED!, March 11, 2004

By	Matthew - See all my reviews

WARNING!! - "The Birds of Europe" by Killian Mullarney and "The Complete Guide to the Birds of Europe" by Lars Svensson are THE EXACT SAME BOOK! I don't know why Amazon is trying to entice you to buy both books together (it's probably a slip of the software) BUT BE WARNED!!!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's disingenous, that's why, April 12, 2004

By	Matthew - See all my reviews

There might very well be a valid reason to buy two versions of the same book. I completely agree. However, it's vital that the consumer *know* that before he or she makes that purchase. Amazon has one book listed with one title and author, the other listed with a different title and different author. To 'recommend' that the consumer buy both books (at a very minimal discount) without stating flat out that they're both the same book is false advertising and most likely illegal in the United States.

However, it appears Amazon figured it out finally and withdrew the offer, so I've edited out my earlier "review".