590 Zoological Sciences
Lynch, Wayne. Penguins of the World. (Illus.; photographs by the author.) Buffalo: Firefly Books, 1997. 144pp. $35.00. C97-930863-1. ISBN 1-55209-180-5. Index; C.I.P.
YA–T, GA ++
This is an outstanding work! Judged solely from the numerous and magnificent color photographs, it is a striking coffee-table book and a good buy. Likewise, the author's words could stand alone without the illustrative material, and the combination of the two is stunning. One only wishes that the text were longer, for Lynch's enthusiasm and good humor keep the text lively. In the first chapter, the family of penguins is summarized. This is followed by a chapter on the distribution of the 17 species of penguin. Four chapters survey the life cycle, from mating to grown chicks. These birds face such difficult problems, that it is amazing that there are so many penguins today. Many firsthand observations are reported, and the author is intimately familiar with the literature on these birds. Along with details about the various groups of penguins, he manages to weave in a number of natural-history themes, such as predator-prey relations, food sources, and adaptation to different climates. Distribution maps, the interaction between these animals and humans, and a reading list round out the book. To this should be added the compliment that the book is beautifully designed and carefully produced.—Ellis L. Yochelson, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
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