A Guide to the Mammals of China
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Book Reviews of A Guide to the Mammals of China
Book Review: Another great guide from the Princeton Press
Summary: 5 Stars
The introduction to this excellent guide indicates its importance to anyone interested in animals, and in particular mammals:
"The topography of China ranges from the highest elevation on Earth (Mt. Everest or Chomolung ma; 8,850 m) to one of the lowest (Turpan Pendi; 154 m below sea level). Chinese environments include some of Earth's most extensive and driest deserts (the Taklimakan and Gobi) and its highest plateau (the Tibetan Plateau or "Roof of the World"). Habitats range from tropical to boreal forest, and from extensive grasslands to desert. This wide variety of habitats has contributed greatly to the richness of China's mammal fauna. Additionally, the geographic location of China, at the suture zone between the Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic regions , further contributes to the country's mammal diversity. Overall, more than 10 percent (556) of the world's species of mammal live in China .... In their analysis of megadiversity countries, Mittermeier et al. (1997) consider China to have the third highest diversity of mammals among all countries (following Brazil and Indonesia)." [This text is taken from the first chapter of the book as it is presented on the Princeton Press website at press.princeton .]
The Introduction continues with a very interesting history of mammals and the study of mammals in China over the centuries. There is also an excellent bibliography. The production values of this book are excellent, consistent with those in Princeton's recently released A Guide to the Mammals of Southeast Asia.
This is a wonderful book for exploring mammals either in China itself or at home in your study.
Robert C. Ross 2008
Book Review: Naturalist in China
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best field guides I have ever seen. The plates (61 plates)are beautifully illustrated and very accurate. Even though it will be a few years before I visit China, I wanted to purchase this field guide to become familiar with their mammals and where to find them. Besides wonderful illustrations of the mammals, the text is filled with great information. Each species account is accompanied with a range map showing the distribution of that mammal. Under the mammal's name is included the Chinese script of the mammal and an English translation of what that script sounds like. This is an ingenious inclusion, because for travelers looking for specific mammals, they only need to point to the script and people can help them. The text also includes taxonomic keys to assist in identifying mammals that are closely related. About the only thing that I didn't like was the fact that it only comes in hardcover. This is a personal thing because all of my other field guides are paperback, which makes them lighter to carry while traveling. But even with the hardcover, this field guide is a wonderful resource and learning tool for the mammals of China.