'The Nature Handbook' by Earnest Williams, Jr.

Title: 'The Nature Handbook'
Author: Ernest Williams, Jr.
Genres: Non-Fiction, Field Guide, Natural History
Publisher: Oxford University Press, London, 2005

'The Nature Handbook' is a unique guide to the outdoors which emphasizes natural history: the stories of nature and the ways organisms interact with each other and the environment. The book consists of brief but detailed entries on varied topics such as nymphs and larvae, web decorations, turtle nests, tail flagging, and acorn preferences. Topics are easy to locate and are arranged into three sections: plants, animals, and habitats.

Part I: Plants

• Flowers and Seeds
• Trees
• Plant Features

Part II: Animals

• Color and Pattern
• Ecology and Behavior
• Birds
• Insects

Part III: Habitats

• Mountains
• Forests
• Feilds and Meadows
• Deserts and Prairies
• Water and Wetlands
• Coasts
• Global Patterns

'The Nature Handbook' is a wonderful mix of facts and photographs that explores a range of topics about natural history. The book explores broad themes that recurr throughout nature including the relationship between the size and shape of organisms, the role of adaptation, the distrubtional patterns of species, behavior, and species diversity.

I recommend 'The Nature Handbook' to college level students, adults, and advanced young adult audiences who are interested in exploring the natural world and understanding how things interact with and adapt to their environment.