A Field Guide to Coral Reefs: Caribbean and Florida

This is the ideal compact book for any diver or snorkeller travelling to the Caribbean who has any interest in the natural history of the area. Eugene Kaplan was for many years the director of the Hofstra University Marine Lab and the book reflects both his decades of field experience and his natural enthusiasm and ability to teach. His other book "Seashores" is the ideal companion.

I like most peterson books, however this one is just as knowledgable, but I bought the book hopeing to see color plates of corals, which it did not have. It had mostly color plates of starfish, sponges, sea buscuits, other animal life. I was disappointed in that, but as most of their books have, a nice description on how to identify it. It does seperate out the different types of corals, such as brain coral, then different subspecies (depressed, common, sharp hilled) but NO good pictures. It tells depth circumferance and valley, color, nice descriptions. It does have some black & white photos of coral, but it really does not help much.

I would feel confident recommending any of Peterson's field guides including "Coral Reefs." Many field guides simply discuss a single group of animals or plants. However Kaplan has succeeded in producing a pocket book explaining the most diverse habitats on earth. He writes from a broad knowledge base covering many topics important to coral reef watchers or biologists. Frequently he injects wit and humor into what might have been a dry text. He manages to hit on most groups of animals and uses many types of illustrations to allow the reader to identify and sort out the great number and types of animals that they will see on any coral reef within the area discussed.I am new to this book but have used quite a few field guides in my day. Now I can't wait to visit the reefs again, armed with my new education.