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The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals

Discussion in 'TV, Movies, Books about Zoos & Wildlife' started by savethelephant, 10 Aug 2015.

  1. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Hey guys, so I was wondering if this book might be useful for me. I am seriously considering getting it but I want to know what your opinions of it is first.
    Thanks in advance!
    Here's a link to Amazon.
    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Encyclopedia-Mammals-David-Macdonald/dp/0691140693/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8"]The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals: David W. Macdonald: 9780691140698: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]
     
  2. gerenuk

    gerenuk Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    David MacDonald's Encyclopedia of Mammals has long been an important part of my library. I highly recommend it.
     
  3. snowleopard

    snowleopard Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    I would also highly recommend it. I've got the 2006 version and it is not quite as long as the 976-page, 2009 version that you provided the link for but it is still around 940 pages. In terms of bang for your buck there aren't many nature-themed books out there that are comparable in terms of quality for the price you pay.
     
  4. Dassie rat

    Dassie rat Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    When I worked in a library, the David McDonald book was the only mammal book I recommended to be purchased. It is good value for money with lots of illustrations. I hope that future editions will be a bit more balanced, though. The first edition comprised 2 volumes: the first had primates, whales and carnivores, while the second contained all the other mammals.
     
  5. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Thank you guys very much for your replies! I already own Animal by Roger Priddy but it is a bit outdated!
     
  6. jbnbsn99

    jbnbsn99 Well-Known Member

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    If you can get the newest version in hardback do so. The binding on the paperback is very weak.
     
  7. Dassie rat

    Dassie rat Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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  8. Tim May

    Tim May Well-Known Member 15+ year member Premium Member

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    I have the original two volume hardback version of “Encyclopaedia of Mammals” (David MacDonald;1984). How time flies, it is hard to believe I have had it for over thirty years. This is a very attractive publication, well illustrated with lots of coloured pictures.

    Although I am not familiar with the more recent edition, I concur with the other posters; this is an excellent work, that is thoroughly recommended. However, good as this book is, I prefer “Walker’s Mammals of the World” so I also agree with “Dassie rat” that anybody interested in mammals should get a copy of “Walker” too.

    These two publications were my favourite mammal reference books for many years; although both are excellent, I guess both will be superseded by the “Handbook of the Mammals of the World”.
     
  9. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Well the HMW is a little pricey for me:p
     
  10. savethelephant

    savethelephant Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Has just been ordered!:D
     
    Last edited: 16 Aug 2015
  11. LaughingDove

    LaughingDove Well-Known Member

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    I ordered The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals a few weeks ago thanks to recommendations here and it arrived today.
    Although I haven't had enough time to look into it very thoroughly yet, I have had a cursory look and it seems very good!