Dragonflies Book Reviews

Dragonflies by Philip Corbet & Stephen Brooks Book Summary

Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures – few insect groups fascinate as much or are more immediately recognisable.

In this seminal new work, Philip Corbet and Stephen Brooks examine the behaviour, ecology and distribution of dragonflies in Britain and Ireland, placing emphasis on the insects' habitats and also on measures needed to conserve them.

Published in 1960 – with Philip Corbet as contributing author – volume 41 of the New Naturalist series provided the first in-depth study of the biology of British dragonflies, helping to inspire many people to take an interest in these intriguing insects. In this new volume, Corbet has teamed up with Stephen Brooks, offering a fascinating outlook on the natural history of dragonflies. The authors have combined their knowledge and experience to help illuminate the relevance of British dragonfly species, placing them in the overall context of natural history from a broader, worldwide perspective.

Illustrated with beautiful photography throughout, New Naturalist Dragonflies explores all aspects of the biological significance of dragonfly behaviour, thus revealing the beauty and hidden complexity of these powerful, agile, flying predators.

Reviews

‘A valuable and engaging update of the classic New Naturalist volume on the Odonata.’
BBC Wildlife

Praise for the New Naturalist series:

A History of Ornithology by Peter Bircham:

‘Bircham has found for himself a distinctive ecological niche by dwelling on the evolving science, rather than ornithology as social process or field activity … he has produced a thorough and valuable contribution to the field’
Mark Cocker, The Guardian

The Isles of Scilly by Rosemary Parslow:

'This is a fully rounded and wonderfully detailed natural history of England's only ocean archipelago. It works on several levels, as a guide, as a wildlife encyclopaedia and as a lyrical celebration of a special place. Rosemary Parslow has written a classic book to add to the remarkable swell of New Naturalist masterpieces in recent years.'
British Wildlife

About the author

Philip Corbet (1929-2008) acquired a fascination and deep affection for dragonflies as an undergraduate exploring the Berkshire countryside. His professional experience as an entomologist, research administrator and university teacher, in Uganda, Canada, New Zealand and Scotland, allowed him to observe dragonflies in widely different environments.
Stephen Brooks has worked in the Department of Entomology at The Natural History Museum, London, since 1979. He is author of the Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland and has written many scientific articles on dragonflies. He is a member of the British Dragonfly Society and has been editor of the BDS Journal and a member of the BDS Conservation Group.

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Dragonflies (Philip Corbet & Stephen Brooks) Book Reviews 2024

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