How does one go about writing an encyclopedia of insects? In terms of species, the sheer numbers of those thus far described by entomologists alone would fill several volumes if nothing more than their names were recorded. Then there is the question of for whom it should be written. For entomologists – most of whom specialize and thus any one of which might only be expected to read a small portion of it; or for the interested amateur, who despite even a profound enthusiasm, may quickly tire or become bewildered amid explanations of each taxonomic Order and Family? For Hugh Raffles, author of the recently published Insectopedia, the answer was to approach the problem from a dramatically unconventional perspective – establish its central theme as being the many times and places, historic as well as contemporary, commonly as well as little known, in which the lives of humans and insects intersect. Read the rest of this entry »

PowellsBooks.Blog blogger Jill Owens has recently published her extensive and insightful interview with David Sibley. In their discussion, Mr. Sibley discusses at length his latest book, The Sibley Guide to Trees, as well as his thoughts about some other notable recent publications, including one of my own favorites, Jonathan Rosen’s The Life of the Skies.