How to Know the Spiders

As an aspiring arachnologist, this book was exactly what I was looking for. I wouldn't consider it as an easy identification guide for field work, but it has still proven to be an invaluable resource for my studies. If one is familiar with the more technical terms regarding arachnology, this key may be quite beneficial. It does contain a glossary of terms, as well as many picture diagrams of these terms, but previous knowledge helps tremendously. The pictures of the spider bodies are super helpful as well. Some segments are quite technical, but there are enough portions that most people would be able to follow. Two excerpts from one segment regarding which characteristic would best fit the specimen (which, in this case, happens to be a type of wolf spider): "Posterior spinnerets distinctly longer than the anterior, with the apical segment conical and at least half as long as the basal. Retromargin of cheliceral fang furrow with usually four stout teeth, sometimes five. (Anterior row of eyes longer than the second row, and females without spines above on tibiae III and IV)...... Sosippus" "Sosippus mimus: The carapace and abdominal dorsum show white markings on a gray or dark brown ground. Length of female 12.9 to 18.2 mm; of male 13.1 to 14.2 mm. Florida west to Louisiana." (Paired with a figure of the spider body to show said markings.) Again, this book probably isn't for the 'beginner', however it is fairly easy to follow. A beginner may get a general idea of what spider he or she is looking at. Out of all of my spider books, this is the one I come back to over and over again. I'd highly recommend this as a tool for anyone interested in arachnology!

Many books written on arachnids are basically recycled jargon boring the reader with misinformation and "common sense" wife's tales. This book, however, was an exception to the rule. The author seems to actually know the subject matter, getting past the "basics" very quickly and introducing you to virtually every family of spider and all of their distinguishing features. Also included are several odd footnotes about the arachnid that I found very useful and that I hadn't seen elsewhere.The books includes areas on:1) where to find spiders2) how you should go about collecting and preserving them3) parasites and other enemies the spider has4) the anatomy of the arachnid and how to recognize their sex5) some useful information about the wondrous effects of spider venom6) a guide on how to actually study spiders7) the lists of families and higher categories of all spiders (including pictures of the families that are commonly found)I personally found it to be an interesting read and would say that anyone interested in Entomology or simply looking into spiders should give it peek. You might thank yourself one day.