Watchers at the Pond

This is one of the most fascinating books of the genre I've had the pleasure to read. A year in the life of a pond. While this subject may sound mundane, I will promise you that you will not be able to put it down once you start. Good, I mean "really good" nature books are hard to find. This ranks among the best. I have to agree with another reviewer in that, in this case, the written word is as powerful as the camera, if not more so. The author has wonderful insight to the workings of nature. If you can find a copy of this one, read it and enjoy it. I highly recommend.

I read this book about 30 years ago. It drew me into the world of the pond's inhabitants and imprinted itself upon my memory. In a time of stunning photography and CGI graphics it reminds us that text still one of the most immersive of media. This is a gem and I can't wait to posses it again.

The most moving, awesome book I've ever read about ecology. On the surface it simply follows all the life forms around a pond through 1 year. Things are born, hatched, germinated; and they die; 1/4 of the way through all the death really got me down, but I kept reading, and eventually realized that it's only in my own head that events are "bad" or "good." Russell succeeded at an extremely difficult task: presenting things as they are. The journey takes you deep into yourself, gives you a new perspective of the living systems that embody and support life on Earth. Dover Books should do a reprint of this book!

I have owned this book for over 30 years, and every time I reread it I am drawn into the the story of a 12 month life cycle at a pond. I have never read a book that is as interesting for the fifth reading as the first. This would be a great book for any young person (or older) who has the slightest interest in the natural world. The language is totally non-technical. I have never read its equal.