I'm now entering the fray regarding the Morcombe field guide, or rather bird
field guides and books in general.
Having birded for 12 years, I have built up a library of books, ranging from
picture books, the "smaller field guides"
including hardbacks such as Harrison's seabirds guide, and then the large
hardback "coffee table" style books including
detailed descriptive books such as the Readers' Digest Complete Book etc.
Additionally, I have various older story-telling
type bird books and books on overseas birds and books on, say, one type of
birds, such as parrots.
Whilst I love my books, quite frankly, for me to obtain any more bird books
now, they have to "add value" to my library by
really having something new and substantially different.
If any new book of the market is merely providing largely the same information
(even if presented differently) then it
doesn't add value (for me). Unless the pictures REALLY show something
different that REALLY aids identification for a 12
year/experienced birder, it doesn't add value (for me). A picture book would
have to have SUPERB photos/drawings that really
show the marvel of bird plumage and behaviour etc. to encourage me to add it to
my collection.
This is the challenge perhaps for people considering the production of field
guides. I certainly concur with others who have
emphasised the importance of quality in the production, both in terms of text
and illustration.
Irene Denton
Concord West, 12 km from Sydney city, NSW Australia
33 50 17 S 151 05 25 E
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