Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia

A celebrity. The first edition--13 volumes published 1972-75, and cited in Books for College Libraries 3rd ed., Guide to Reference Books, Public Library Catalog, Walford's--is surely the most widely available reference on the animal kingdom (humans are granted ten pages). Now in 17 volumes, the entire text has been rewritten by English-speaking scientists, avoiding the occasional infelicities found in the first edition. Gale, using the abundant Thomson resources, cooperated with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in the revision and enlargement. Each of the following is available separately: v.1. Lower metazoans & lesser deuterosomes; v.2. Protostomes; 3. Insects; 4-5. Fishes; 6. Amphibians; 7. Reptiles; 8--11. Birds; 12--16. Mammals. T.McKimmie of New Mexico State U. reviewed the birds volume for CHOICE (7/03); see that review for more detail and its conclusion: "Essential. Academic and public libraries." The first edition did, in fact, find a receptive audience ranging from elementary school through research libraries. The new Grzimek (pronounced CHIM-eck) contains some: 3,000 color photos, 3,500 maps, and 5,500 color illustrations. Encompasses evolution & systematics; reproduction, development and life history; ecology; symbiosis; behavior; importance to humans; and conservation. Individual articles run from 1,250 to 7,500 words. A top reference for 2004, and probably for the decade.