I was in my favorite specialty store on birds a year ago and was told by the owner that this is THE reference book on birds that is sold the most in their shop. A comfortable size to keep on a table or ledge of a window, the pictures are very good. I've used it to identify a pair of red-tailed hawks that a family of crows was going after (it helped that I had a pair of binoculars and the book showed a picture of what the bird looked like while soaring). Who'd have thought four crows were that brave but I witnessed it.
I've used the book to determine two species of woodpeckers that we have. I seem to have a mental block identifying this bird! I've also read up on bluebirds and we now have three pairs that live near our home. The most amazing thing that has happened is that whenever one of our adult kids visit and sees me looking out the window in the morning they want to know what birds we have. If I am not sure one of them will pick up this reference book and tell me what they think. The hobby has spread to their houses. One now has two birdbaths in her yard and the other lets me know what is living in her hedge. Even our twenty-year-old son lets me know what he sees in our yard. Of course, my young grandsons just love to see any birds in general. So parents, it is never too late to start this hobby.
Packed with wonderful basic information, colorful pictures of males (and females if they look different) and little tidbits of knowledge that many may not know, it is a enjoyable book. Whether you use it at home, take it to the park or pack it up when you head to the beach, the facts it contains will help you. If nothing else the comfortable size makes it easy to drop in a purse or carry in a large pocket and should remind you that you are not alone.