This book promises to offer an extensive description of 1000 birds.
The birds included in this book come from all parts of the world and cover 170 bird families. However, the descriptions are really short: sometimes they mention something about the birds' habitat, their behaviour, their call etc., but only in five or six lines. Some birds have a distribution map, although no different colours have been used to indicate breeding or all year round areas. For every included species, the following information is provided: Name, Scientific Name, Distribution, Habitat and Size.
In this book, no photos have been used. Instead there are beautifully drawn paintings, which give the book a very colourful overall look.
As with many books that have been translated, also here quite a few annoying problems are found, for example with some birds the first letters of their names are missing. A lot of sentences also are a very literal translation and sound very unnatural.
I enjoyed browsing through this book and reading the descriptions of some lesser known species. This book certainly manages to create an interest in the beautiful world of birds, because so many species are beautifully described and illustrated.
I would recommend this book, but only if you purchase the original, English version (1000 birds, ISBN 9780785835769).
What I liked about it:
+ Beautifully illustrated, very colourful overall look.
+ Covering a wide variety of birds
What I didn't like about it:
- Poor translation at times from English to Dutch
Details:
Author: Sarah Hoggett
Number of pages: 288
Language: Dutch
ISBN: 9789048313464
Dimensions: 28,7 x 2,6 x 23,1 cm
Year: 2016