Integrative and Comparative Biology Advance Access originally published online on May 24, 2007
Integrative and Comparative Biology 2007 47(5):786; doi:10.1093/icb/icm002
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Book Review |
The Natural History of Weasels and Stoats: Ecology, Behavior and Management, Second Edition. Carolyn M. King and Roger A. Powell.
Correspondence: E-mail: thorh{at}ku.edu
The Natural History of Weasels and Stoats: Ecology, Behavior and Management, Second Edition. Carolyn M. King and Roger A. Powell. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 464 pp. ISBN 9780195300567 (paperback) and 9780195322712 (paperback).
It is rare enough to read the work of authors of scientific publications whose efforts not only inform but entertain. Naturally, we are not in the business of entertainment, but I will confess to a lifetime of looking forward to the moments when observations of, when facts about, the world cause me to think (or even subvocalize) to myself, "That is amazing" or "That is great." It is even more remarkable when such a well-wrought study is directed toward creatures that have compelled one's own career. I am, therefore, doubly grateful that it fell to me to read and remark upon the second edition of The Natural History of Weasels and Stoats: Ecology, Behavior, and Management by Carolyn M. King and Roger A. Powell. I have waited a long time, indeed, to write a review like this.
I do not recall ever reading a more complete, well-rounded compilation of the state of our knowledge of any organism than is contained in these pages. In addition to tackling and inter-digitating an array of data about weasels and stoats ranging from size, shape, and color to reproduction, population biology, and behavior, the authors end with a tantalizing enumeration of the puzzles about these little carnivores.
Moreover, for which I am particularly, personally grateful, the authors have detailed the biology of the weasels and stoats with admiration, respect, and humor. I could feel the affection of these superior biologists for the animals about which they have written. I truly enjoyed the book, would recommend it to any biologist, and suggest that it is a necessary addition to the bookshelves of mammalogists. I would further encourage students to read it, first because it is a fine and complete treatment of amazing beasts, but, no less important, because it does a splendid job of making it clear that biologists love what they do. I might add that a student will find the enormous bibliography a real bonus. I have long been a fan, but find now that I have renewed respect and admiration for Carolyn King and Roger Powell, not to mention for weasels.
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