The Raptor and the Lamb

Overall, is a good survey of a huge subject: the tactics used by predators and prey in nature. It's comprehensive, accessible, and insightful. There are areas where I would have liked more exploration, but that's inevitable with a broad subject. The focus is mostly on predators, touching on nearly all major groups. Prey are discussed more in response, though a few sections deal with them specifically (e.g. plants). The book is organized based on the type of animal rather than the strategies used. Although this is a logical approach, he does little to tie the book together with broader theories. The few cases where he does (for example, his occasional mention of pursuit vs. ambush predators) are notable for their rarity. One caveat is that the author appears to misunderstand evolution. In the most egregious example he argues against the arms-race model: "Nor is it necessarily an advantage for one of antagonists to respond to improvements in the other. Suppose a prey species evolved some improvement in its defensive strategies, perhaps better acceleration or more alertness to potential dangers. If the predator did not coevolve some corresponding improvement in its hunting techniques, it would catch fewer prey. The number of prey would therefore increase, but this could improve the predator's chance of catching them, so, it the long term, its hunting success might not suffer." It's bad enough that a professor of zoology would assume species selection, but he seems unaware that he is saying anything controversial. Fortunately, such references are few, and they detract little from the book.

This is the best and I stress best book you can possibly get for someone that you believe or know enjoys biology or natural studies. However, it goes beyond that, this book is perfect for the person who likes cats and dogs and wants to know their specific differences and how they act in the wild. His writing style is very interesting and informative (not dumbed down but not highly scientific). A very excellent book for a plane ride or just a relaxing read (meanwhile you may learn something). Highly recommended. Hopefully some of his out-of-print books will be reprinted.

This book read, in part, like a novel with good guys (nature's prey) and the bad guys (the predators)...it was a gruesome, at times, but realistic book about survival. I enjoyed it very much.