Review by Choice Review
Scientific knowledge about frogs has been increasing rapidly. For example, the number of described species has jumped from 5,000 to more than 7,000 in the last 15 years. At the same time, frogs are a focus of great concern due to severe population declines and extinctions worldwide. This large book by amphibian expert Halliday (Open Univ., UK) is a photographically rich introduction to the global diversity of frogs. A 30-page introductory section describes the basic biology of frogs and some of the reasons for their decline. The next 600 pages are accounts of species from throughout the world, arranged by family. Each page features a life-size photograph of the frog on a white background. One paragraph describes the frog and any interesting details of its life history. A second paragraph describes similar species. Entries also include a map of the geographic range of the species, along with information on its conservation status. While the details for each species are too brief to make this book useful for researchers, its colorful variety of frogs and interesting details about their lives may appeal to a general audience. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate students and general readers. --Mark P. Gustafson, Texas Lutheran University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
