Reader's Digest North American Wildlife

by Susan J. Wernert (Editor), Reader's Digest Association

Every species in full color. Thousands of identification capsules, range maps, and habitat symbols. A special 32 page guide to wildlife communities. Birds and butterflies, ferns and frogs, mushrooms and manta rays, seashells and salamanders - this book includes more than 2,000 plants and animals of all types. Spanning the land from Florida to Alaska, it embraces field, forest, pond, prairie - all the natural communities that make our North American flora and fauna so splendidly diverse. This book is really two in both a valuable at-home reference and an extraordinary usable guide to the most common and conspicuous wild plants and animals of our continent. Specially planned for quick and easy identification, it far surpasses other guides. A treasure trove of information, the equivalent of an entire shelf of nature guides in a single volume, this book is for the entire family. A fascinating revelation of the marvels and mysteries of nature, an inviting aid to schoolwork, a magnificent treasure to be enjoyed over and over again in the years to come.

Genres: Reference, Nature, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Field Guides, Wildlife

559 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1982

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had a copy of this book growing up which I loved so much that Scott hunted down an identical copy for my birthday a few years back. I consult it frequently and sometimes just sit and pore over it until my brain is overflowing with wildflower names and characteristics and gives up for a while. I love the things that live and grow in the wild, and this book is what connects me to all that when I can't go on a hike.

[Rob O’Keefe]

When I was a kid our family vacations every year were two weeks in the summer at my Aunt's cabin on a lake in northern Wisconsin. I was nine years old when this book came out. And each evening, after the sun set on a day of swimming and biking and exploring, I would lay on the carpet by lamp light and read this book. Every night, just lost in the descriptions of Giant Sequoias, and Redwoods... and Sharks! and Spiders! And Manta Rays! Flowers and plants and fish and birds and creepy crawlies... They're all in here! I learned how to ID trees from this book. I learned the difference between a chipmunk, a striped and a spotted ground squirrel. Most of all, I learned to appreciate the dizzying diversity of nature around the continent and right in my own back yard. It's a treasure trove, and it's just as magical today as it was then. Get a copy. It will be your dog-eared go-to guide for everything, and you will quickly learn to love this book deeply.

[Christopher Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this lying around the house for twenty years. Occasionally, I'll pick it up and enjoy a little armchair traveling. Beautifully illustrated with pictures of odd beasts like worm snakes and star-nosed moles, nice tight descriptions and suggestions about the environments where you might see one if you look long and hard enough. I could imagine a lovely retirement just spent wandering around North America, this volume in hand, trying to find them all.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am amazed at how much of the wildlife, I come across and want to know about, is in this book. Considering they are covering North America's plants, animals, fish, insects, etc, you know they had to pick and chose what they put in this field guide. They did an wonderful job!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially love the section in this book on flowers and plants, if I see a plant that I don't know, then I can just look it up and find out all sorts of info on it. This was a great garage sale find :D

[Lexy S.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of many other books on wildlife, this has to be the best one I've read. They include everything from a description to a picture to a map. The descriptions are short and sweet, and easy to understand.

[Janae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight. I wish I had it as a child. Every kid that loves the outdoors and wildlife should have a copy. It’s jam-packed with illustrations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, wildflowers, trees, etc.

The additional info paragraphs are interesting. Sometimes they are a little ridiculous and had me laughing. For example: “The most notable difference between a camas and a death camas is that, if you eat the bulb of a death camas, you will probably die”.

I thumbed through the 1982 edition. I’m tempted to buy the latest version (2012), but I would like to know if it includes updated names and range maps. A few things changed in the 30 years between…

[Danielle Brugnone · Rating 5 out of 5]

There may be better wildlife guides out there, but I've had a copy of this one since before I could read. I still have that same copy. It's tattered and worn; the pages are falling out. It comforts me to look at it. It's the reason I know the names to many birds, plants, and other creatures! And I always want to learn more about them.

[Giselle Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I love this book. My dust jacket is teared to smithereens because of how much we read it. So much information in this book with lovely illustrations. It's a great book for anyone regardless of age. OMG the plant section. You'll find every little flower you grew up picking for your mother in here. This is probably my favorite Nature Reference book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite nature reference book

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive guide to North American Wildlife. I've used this book as a reference for 20+ years.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a favorite childhood book to fantasize about the many animals around me. Now, I share these same joys, using the same book, with my children!

[Michael Reardon]

This was another purchased book. It contains over 2,000 colorful illustrations used to identify and inform.

Sections include: Wildlife Communities, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Mollusks, Insects, Trees, Shrubs, Wildflowers, and Mushrooms.

This is a great addition to the bookshelf and would make a lovely gift for anyone, young or old.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a reliable old friend. So enjoyable just to read and look at the illustrations.
It is quite informative of North American wildlife, and the visual representations help to let the information sink in.
One of the best books for wildlife knowledge, enough to let you explore very specific field guides.

[Megan]

A gift from Grandma Burnett in 1985

[Df3photo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had many copies of this book through my life. It is a great wildlife guide. I recommend it for anyone looking for a beginners guide.

[Jadin Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful guid to all things wildlife.

[Cote DeRota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome guide. I received it when I was a little kid in the 90’s from a great aunt who knew I loved wildlife. Although a bit dated now, this field guide is one of my favorites that I’ve seen. It’s loaded with beautifully detailed illustrations and simple yet informational descriptions. You can look through and find info on pretty much every single North American plant, animal, insect, fish, or tree you can think of. All while being well organized and easy on the eyes. I’ve marked up my copy pretty good over the years with little notes next to any of the species I’ve seen in and around my town & property and the date I’ve seen them. I’ll probably hold on to this book for as long as I live!

[Trent Marv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is considerably obscured by the relationship to Reader's Digest leaving many to dismiss and diminish it's own worth of which there is quite a lot to it. And I think it deserves greater appreciation than it may get usually.
Firstly in regards to the structure of the book it is divided into 10 main sections. First is an overview of the various habitats found in the continental united states of which there is a surprising amount of that you might not expect to be in this continent. From there we go over each of the major groups of animals including mammals, then birds, then a combination of reptiles and amphibians, then fish, and finally Invertebrates. Then we go to plants which are divided into a section about trees/shrubs, then Wildflowers, nonflowering plants, and ending with Fungi. Now off the bat I'm sure there are some issues one could have with this structure, grouping reptiles and amphibians under one banner is not taxonomically accurate but I think that's an issue more due to the nature of Herpetology treating herps as one area of study instead of dividing between the two groups. Invertebrates are another unfortunate yet understandable grab bag. Most surprising was the nonflowering plants which included algae which are by definition not true plants. None of this really impacts the quality of the book just how things were arranged.
In terms of more substantive criticisms are of the content of the books. Starting with the positives and there are many. I must say the sheer amount of information on the various wildflowers, birds and plants in this book really are fascinating as these are subjects I had little knowledge about compared to other biological groups. The usage of many by native Americans and early colonialists and how these related to the naming of plants is very fascinating. And how there are technically despite certain names used no true Cedars in America. I did think though despite how huge the variety of life depicted in this book (more than 2,000) there were some notable exclusions. The Amphiuma was not depicted despite being far more common than the Hellbender and Mudpuppy who were illustrated. I do think the four major subgroups of Harvestmen could have been shown especially since our continent is unique in having relatively common representatives of all four. There was also a single minor printing error/typo in the entry for clubmosses but aside from that i's pretty solid.
Overall A great book even if a bit old it's worth getting as not only is it chock filled with tons of amazing trivia and beautiful art but is a useful guide to the average person of North America.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just no substitute for this book on our shelves! We turn to this again and again and again. Just this week I was reminded of its value. I have scads of field guides here, but when we need to turn to a book for an extremely accurate illustration coupled with great information - this is the book we turn to again and again and it NEVER FAILS us!!!!

It is an illustrated guide to over 2000 plants and animals. I'm VERY picky about illustrations and the ones in this book are gorgeous and detailed! The end of the pages are color coded so you can quickly locate the section on birds or reptiles!

Originally published in 1982, it covers wildlife communities, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, invertebrates, trees and shrubs, wildflowers, nonflowering plants, mushrooms.

[Melissa Yeoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great reference book that contains a combination of information on plants, animals, fish, insects, etc. Each entry shows geographical location, a description of what it looks like, the habitat and a photograph. I recommend this book for any nature enthusiast who wants to know more about what they are seeing.

[Alex Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book since I was 12 or so and I still go to it after finding something new. :)

I would go through it often when exploring and catching turtles, beetles, lizards, snakes and such. :). The illustrations and layout are perfect for any nature lover. Be sure to pack it when going for a long hike in the woods.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book, with really good illustrations. Between this book and the Sunset Western Garden Book, I've been able to identify many of the mystery plants in my backyard. No home should be without such a useful book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pored over a million times. Great for young nerds drawing mutant animal/human hybrids.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do most of these animals still exist?

[Koaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering the age of this book and being a thrift store find, it is fun and informative for all people of all ages whom love the outdoors. My family loves it!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my library. Great resource.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference book

[Tasha-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic reference book. I wish I had one specifically for Canada and one for BC.