The Zoo Book: A Guide to America's Best

This is an excellent reference to the major zoos in the United States. The author has done an outstanding job of providing a lot of detail about the major exhibits at the different institutions.I have visited a large number of the institutions reviewed, and believe that his descriptions are fairly accurate and up to date, although some exhibits will need to be updated as these zoos continue to improve their facilities.

This travel book is a well needed addition to any zoo fan's library. It's a great book to keep with you during travels, because it helps you get to the zoos, and how to plan your time when you're there. A recent on-line review's criticism of Tropic World near Chicago shows that opinions differ widely on what is a good exhibit. For instance, I think Tropic World's excellence lies in it's unparalled mix of multiple species. The inter-species interactions are great for visitors, and probably for the animals, too. With such a wide variety of species sharing the same exhibit, 'real' plants would have short lives. Tropic World's realism lies in mixing species rather than keeping them apart for visitor and exhibit convenience.