The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland

by Jeremy A. Thomas, Richard Lewington (Illustrator)

The Butterflies of Britain & Ireland provides comprehensive coverage of all our resident and migratory butterflies, including the latest information on newly discovered species such as Cryptic Wood White and the Geranium Bronze. When first published in 1991 it won the Natural World Book of the Year Award and won plaudits from all quarters. Fully revised, considerably expanded and reset in 2010, it was judged that year's Guardian Nature Book of the Year. Now revised again to reflect the latest research findings, and with up-to-date distribution maps, this remarkable book is THE guide to the appearance, behaviour, life cycle and ecology of the butterflies of Britain and Ireland.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 1992

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest i haven't actually finished the whole book but I realized that it is one that I am unlikely to do because it is more of an encyclopaedia of butterfly essays and facts than a book to begin at one end and finish at the other. So short of leaving it on this ' am reading' shelf for the next 4o years of my life, well good diet permitting it may be, I thought it more sensible to remove it. It has been a fascinating opportunity to look at depth at the butterflies I see regularly and has been a spur to make me plan excursions to see the more remote, shy and rare ones. Suffice it to say, planning has been all I have done in that regard. Next year maybe, or maybe the one after that or the one after that...you get my point. The ambition to see some of these creations will probably always remain unfulfilled but then maybe that is half the fun of butterflies. The frustration that they hardly ever land for long enough or in a perfectly useful pose so as to enable me to see, photograph and identify them is a constant but the essays and descriptions and beautiful illustrations and photographs in this book make the hunt seem so worthwhile. So the book will remain, probably, ever unfinished though only because it will also remain ever open ready to be leafed through and enjoyed whenever the mood takes me...which is quite often. Especially now as the colder, darker months will gradually herald the hibernation and disappearance of these lovely creatures till next spring

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful thick book full of in-depth details on each butterfly type with stunning illustrations. I have other British butterfly books which I consider excellent but this book tops them all. I very much recommend this.