Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises (Hardcover)

by Paul Harrison (Author), Mark Carwardine (Editor), Dr. Michael Bryden (Author), Mark, Consulting Editors Carwardine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The publisher calls this a pocket guide to cetaceans, and that's a fair description. Arranged by families, then alphabetically by species, the book compresses much information onto each page. In addition to identification tips such as fin placement, coloring, a size scale, and the like, behavior notes and range maps are provided. Brief introductory materials include a cetacean overview, anatomy, behavior, conservation, and whale-watching advice. While this book contains good facts, its practical use as a field guide may be limited. The identification key illustrations for the smaller whales and dolphins are so small that they are not very useful. Comparisons of animals likely to be seen together would have been helpful. Those academic or public libraries wanting a compact encyclopedia with good concise information should consider purchase. Those needing a field guide may find this tool limited.?Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
The Eyewitness Handbooks series, so popular with young readers, is now producing illustration-packed books for adults. In this guide to whales, dolphins, and porpoises, arranged by family orders, Carwardine explains that new species of these elusive creatures are still being discovered. The book's description of 79 species is based upon the author's and illustrator's own observations and the works of many other specialists. General information on diet, habitat, anatomy, behavior, and conservation prefaces the specific descriptions. For the casual whale watcher or earnest conservation buff, here is an invaluable guide. Glossary and association addresses included. Denise Perry Donavin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File; 2nd edition (April 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816039917
• ISBN-13: 978-0816039913
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,751,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like whales, you'll like this book, December 15, 1999

By	Travis Cottreau (Wellington, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Whales Dolphins and Porpoises (Hardcover)

If you want detailed information on whales, dolphins and porpoises layed out in a consistant, logical way with beautifully drawn, color images, this is the book for you.

Some of the detailed information includes maps of where the animals typically range, a profile of their dive sequences for whale watchers and a comparison profile against a 6ft tall man. This is for each and every animal in the book and only part of the information included.

This is a real gift to whale lovers and whale watchers everywhere. I can't really see anyone being dissapointed in a purchase of this book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Field Guide for Cetaceans I Have Seen, January 10, 2000

By	Paul A. Guris (East Coast, U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Whales Dolphins and Porpoises (Paperback)

I lead about a dozen pelagic (offshore) birding boat trips each year off the east coast of the U.S. In the process, I became very interested in identifying the whales and dolphins we were seeing. As a result, I needed to find a decent field guide.

This book is the best field guide to cetaceans that I've seen yet. It does an excellent job of presenting known identification criteria as well as pitfalls. The pictures, measurements, and dive sequences provide a quick reference. The more in-depth text provides the further details needed to confirm an ID or sometimes to explain why your view of a specific animal keeps you from making a positive ID.

This is the one cetacean field guide I recommend to trip participants.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding field guide, April 10, 2002

By	R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Whales Dolphins and Porpoises (Paperback)

This book is extremely useful to both the general reader and to those with a serious interest in cetaceans. The book is well organized for quick reference and beautifully illustrated to aid in species identification in the field. Cetaceans are grouped by family and unique characteristics are clearly defined and illustrated. In addition the book is lightweight and easily carried on a boat trip. Highly recommended.