Compendium of Seashells (Hardcover)

by R. Tucker Abbott (Author), S. Peter Dance (Author) "Hard external coverings are typical of several very different kinds of marine animals, including barnacles, crabs, sea urchins, and mollusks..." (more)
Key Phrases: holotype illustrated, intertidal rocks, color pls, Indian Ocean, United States, West Indies (more...)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 411 pages
• Publisher: Odyssey Publications; 4 edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966172000
• ISBN-13: 978-0966172003
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #827,918 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for every seashell collector's library., April 8, 2002

By A Customer

We have used the Compendium since it was first published as our primary identification reference. It is well organized, the pictures clear and colorful. It is a valued reference used by many in our museum library.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best seashell book ever!, January 16, 2002

By	Patricia K. Teague (Cullman, AL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since childhood, I've loved the beach and seashells. In our library are a dozen or so books on shells, but this is undoubtedly the best I've ever read. Small, unimportant shells that abound on the Gulf Coast are difficult to find in ordinary books, resulting in the fact that I'd picked them up since childhood, but didn't know what they were. I know now, thanks to the "Compendium of Seashells." If a person could have only one book on seashells, this is the one to buy.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars praise for an excellent book, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This excellent and well organized reference work contains 4,200 full colour photos of dead shells and is designed for the amateur collector. All categories of marine shells are described and illustrated from all the oceans of the world. It includes geographical and ecological information on over 180 species of cowries, 334 cones, 132 volutes and 140 scallops. It is also invaluable for anyone who is interested in identifying what they find along the seashore or see in the ocean. I have owned this book since 1992 and have not come across a superior book on the same subject. However it is in this day and age sad to see all those thousands of dead marine creatures and I would certainly not encourage anyone to collect shells as a hobby. Lets protect and preserve the marine environment for future generations... For divers or indeed budding shell collectors who are interested in seeing/identifying live shells in their natural habitat. I would highly recommend 'Nudibranchs and Sea Snails' by Helmut Debelius [over 1000 excellent colour photos of living subjects] This book focuses on the Indo-Pacific region and is the best book I have ever seen on this subject illustrating living creatures. If the people who collected shells could see the stunning beauty of the live animal I am sure they would have second thoughts about killing them either directly or by proxy.