Into the Porcupine Cave and Other Odysseys: Adventures of an Occasional Naturalist

I thoroughly enjoyed the account of Warner's adventures. His humorous stories, often poking fun at himself, pull the reader in. I found myself wishing I was exploring with him and his companions from the hot, dry desert to the Pacific islands. Warner ends each chapter with educational information that is often too long or overdone. I confess that I skipped over some of that in the second half of the book. I was disappointed at the end when Warner explained some of the adventures were not altogether accurate (eg. a fellow student is a "composite" ) and he relied on the memories of others in some cases where he couldn't remember. I guess that's just what old age does to all of us. Nevertheless, I HIGHLY recommend the book.

William Warner made his mark with "Beautiful Swimmers," a classic about the unlikely subject of crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. Now in this collection of essays, he looks back on a life of adventures and encounters with nature. He tells of boyhood meetings with porcupine, eye contact with a killer whale, jungle episodes with howler monkeys, treks in artic deserts... There's keen observation, digestible science,and plenty of humor in these short essays. A perfect book to take with you on a summer vacation, or give to all your friends at Christmas.

Warner has written a charming book based on some remarkable experiences he has had over his long life. His prose is crisp and straightforward and shows his clear grasp of the language. Each essay holds the reader's attention firmly, and there is always a deeper meaning. While it is a very thoughtful book, it is not without touches of dry but sparkling humor. A perfect gift for anyone who loves the natural world.