Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies
Product ID: 29571672
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An informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look at the beloved firefly For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In Silent Sparks , noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies. The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways―and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list. A passionate exploration of one of the world's most charismatic and admired insects, Silent Sparks will inspire us to reconnect with the natural world. Review: This is THE book to read on fireflies to satisfy your curioasity - Very informative while retaining the wonder of these magical creatures. Review: Very readable book on fireflies - Good information on these insects. A nice read.
| Best Sellers Rank | #456,602 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #180 in Entomology (Books) #188 in Animal Behavior & Communication #229 in Biology of Insects & Spiders |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 89 Reviews |
S**T
This is THE book to read on fireflies to satisfy your curioasity
Very informative while retaining the wonder of these magical creatures.
E**N
Very readable book on fireflies
Good information on these insects. A nice read.
J**E
Silent Sparks The Wondrous World of Fireflies would be a wondrous addition to anyone's personal library!
Silent Sparks by Sara Lewis is a wonderful book! I would recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in natural history. This is the first book devoted entirely to fireflies which I have in my personal library and it is a most welcome edition. Silent Sparks is especially good in its treatment of the natural history, distribution, and conservation concerns of these ever popular insects. I found the illustrations (photographs, drawings, etc.) to be excellent. The book includes a field guide to common fireflies of North America which I haven't had a chance to use but it appears that it will be most useful. A section called "Stepping Out--Further Firefly Adventures" has great suggestions for activities to expand one's knowledge of fireflies as well as enhance one's enjoyment of them. The book concludes with fine notes on each preceding chapter, an excellent glossary, and an extensive list of references (including over a dozen references to publications of pioneering firefly researcher J.E. Lloyd).
J**E
extremely scientific
every persons loves fireflies
C**K
Beautiful Book
This was a gift for my mom, and she loved it. It's a good sized book and a good read. Perfect for camping trips or for anyone who lives out in or near the woods.
C**Y
Easy To Read Reference
This book is just what I was looking for... It contains real first hand stories, science, natural history, and basically the entire life cycle and everything you could want to know about fireflies.... all in an easy-read format. It's a one stop book on fireflies in my opinion, and a very enjoyable read.
T**S
Wonderful book.
This book is an example of the best kind of science writing. The author's obvious passion for the subject comes through loud and clear. She is an excellent writer who doesn't have to stoop to exaggeration and purple prose to convey the information. The text is scholarly without being in the least boring. For those who would like more information on a particular aspect of fireflies there are ample references at the end. It is very well illustrated with ample pictures and diagrams. I learned a LOT from this book.
M**S
Outstanding book
I read it before I gave it to my teen age granddaughter for Christmas
A**T
Nicely written book
Nicely written book, it is a must have for the scientifically oriented person that wants to know more about fire flys. Not only filled with anecdotes, but also some scientific facts.
P**S
Nice book
A nice book but it only really details North American species, still niceI. thought it was actually more of a coffee table book than a text book though.
S**Y
Not what I was wanting.
Interesting. Wanted more firefly in the wild pictures.
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