Awards

• Winner of National Outdoor Book Awards (Nature Guidebook) 2002

Overview

Lichens are a unique form of plant life, the product of a symbiotic association between an alga and a fungus. The beauty and importance of lichens have long been overlooked, despite their abundance and diversity in most parts of North America and elsewhere in the world. This stunning book—the first accessible and authoritative guidebook to lichens of the North American continent—fills the gap, presenting superb color photographs, descriptions, distribution maps, and keys for identifying the most common, conspicuous, or ecologically significant species. The book focuses on 805 foliose, fruticose, and crustose lichens (the latter rarely included in popular guidebooks) and presents information on another 700 species in the keys or notes; special attention is given to species endemic to North America. A comprehensive introduction discusses the biology, structure, uses, and ecological significance of lichens and is illustrated with 90 additional color photos and many line drawings. English names are provided for most species, and the book also includes a glossary that explains technical terms. This visually rich and informative book will open the eyes of nature lovers everywhere to the fascinating world of lichens. Published in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature

Full Product Details

Author:   Irwin M. Brodo ,  Sylvia Duran Sharnoff ,  Stephen Sharnoff ,  Susan Laurie-Bourque
Publisher:   Yale University Press
Imprint:   Yale University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 24.10cm , Height: 0.50cm , Length: 27.90cm
Weight:   3.311kg
ISBN:  

9780300082494

ISBN 10:   0300082495
Pages:   828
Publication Date:   10 September 2001
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  General/trade ,  Professional & Vocational ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

Reviews

Nothing comparable with this gorgeously illustrated work exists. . . . This spectacular tome will serve as standard in the worldwide field of lichenology for the next two centuries, or until the final demise of all books. . . . [A] beautiful book. . . . A gift of world-class scholarship. . . . At its current artificially low price, all libraries, private and public, with even a remote interest in natural history, should obtain it now. -Times Higher Education Supplement A fascinating journey into the Lilliputian world of [lichens]. . . . Photographs by Stephen Sharnoff and Sylvia Duran Sharnoff capture the distinctive forms, brilliant colors or delicate hues of 804 species (out of 1050 discussed in the book). The Sharnoffs and Irwin M. Brodo have created a stunning guide for nature lovers. -Wall Street Journal (Gift Guide) A fascinating journey into the Lilliputian world of [lichens] . . . a stunning guide for nature lovers. -Wall Street Journal, Gift Guide Impressive. . . . The photographs in this book are of superb quality, both scientifically and aesthetically. Virtually, each of the photographs is unique and could be framed as a separate masterpiece in a gallery. . . . This book is a source of inspiration for those who have already got or are likely to get infected by lichen fever. . . . A refreshing book on lichens for a broad circle of readers. -International Lichenological Newsletter Of value to professionals and amateurs alike, this book is certain to be a classic reference for decades to come. -Library Journal (starred review) The publication of this wonderful new book and its numerous color photographs is indeed a major milestone in North American natural history. Although its size and its numerous color reproduction would certainly make it a suitable 'coffee table' book, it is also much more than that. . . . The authors' stated goal, which is to provide a full-color guide to North American lichens that is accessible to the novice but useful as well for experienced lichenologists, is admirably achieved. . . . Through their dedication and perseverance over a fifteen year period, the authors of this marvelous new book have succeeded in making another quantum leap improvement over the previously available North American guides, and , if anything can, this book should help to stimulate a lichenological renaissance in North America. -Theodore L. Esslinger, Mycotaxon Mother-of-all lichen books. . . . it deserves use as a botanical and taxonomic resource on lichens. . . . 924 numbered plus 15 unnumbered color photos by nature photographers Sharnoffs that are stunning and exquisite. . . . [an] incredible project and touchstone book. -Taxon [I]ncludes detailed entries on [over] 800 . . . lichens; essays on [their] biology, structure, uses, and ecological significance . . . hundreds of color photographs. -Natural History This tome includes detailed entries on more than 800 foliose, fruticose, and crustose lichens; essays on the biology, structure, uses, and ecological significance of these plants; and hundreds of color photographs. -Natural History Winner of the New England Book Show, in the category of Reference books, sponsored by the Bookbuilders of Boston Winner of the 2002 Henry Allan Gleason Award given by The New York Botanical Garden Winner of the 2002 Council on Botanical & Horticultural Libraries Award Winner of the 2002 National Outdoor Book Award for Nature Guidebooks Winner of the 2001 R. R. Hawkins Award for the Outstanding Professional Reference or Scholarly Work given by the Association of American Publishers Lichens of North America isone of the great natural history books of this or any age-a work in which art and science are perfectly united in tribute to one of the most beautiful, important, and least described parts of nature. -David Ehrenfeld, Rutgers University This is a book to love. It will open a whole new world for naturalists, professional and amateur, to explore and enjoy. -E. O. Wilson A long-sought triumph, gorgeously illustrated, accurate, accessible, and comprehensive. -Lynn Margulis, University of Massachusetts A superb and indispensable book for anyone truly interested in the biodiversity of North America. -Peter Crane, director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew This volume is the twenty-first-century lichen equivalent of Audubon's Birds of America. -Thomas E. Lovejoy, Smithsonian Institution

Nothing comparable with this gorgeously illustrated work exists. . . . This spectacular tome will serve as standard in the worldwide field of lichenology for the next two centuries, or until the final demise of all books. . . . [A] beautiful book. . . . A gift of world-class scholarship. . . . At its current artificially low price, all libraries, private and public, with even a remote interest in natural history, should obtain it now. -Times Higher Education Supplement A fascinating journey into the Lilliputian world of [lichens]. . . . Photographs by Stephen Sharnoff and Sylvia Duran Sharnoff capture the distinctive forms, brilliant colors or delicate hues of 804 species (out of 1050 discussed in the book). The Sharnoffs and Irwin M. Brodo have created a stunning guide for nature lovers. -Wall Street Journal (Gift Guide) A fascinating journey into the Lilliputian world of [lichens] . . . a stunning guide for nature lovers. -Wall Street Journal, Gift Guide Impressive. . . . The photographs in this book are of superb quality, both scientifically and aesthetically. Virtually, each of the photographs is unique and could be framed as a separate masterpiece in a gallery. . . . This book is a source of inspiration for those who have already got or are likely to get infected by lichen fever. . . . A refreshing book on lichens for a broad circle of readers. -International Lichenological Newsletter Of value to professionals and amateurs alike, this book is certain to be a classic reference for decades to come. -Library Journal (starred review) The publication of this wonderful new book and its numerous color photographs is indeed a major milestone in North American natural history. Although its size and its numerous color reproduction would certainly make it a suitable 'coffee table' book, it is also much more than that. . . . The authors' stated goal, which is to provide a full-color guide to North American lichens that is accessible to the novice but useful as well for experienced lichenologists, is admirably achieved. . . . Through their dedication and perseverance over a fifteen year period, the authors of this marvelous new book have succeeded in making another quantum leap improvement over the previously available North American guides, and , if anything can, this book should help to stimulate a lichenological renaissance in North America. -Theodore L. Esslinger, Mycotaxon Mother-of-all lichen books. . . . it deserves use as a botanical and taxonomic resource on lichens. . . . 924 numbered plus 15 unnumbered color photos by nature photographers Sharnoffs that are stunning and exquisite. . . . [an] incredible project and touchstone book. -Taxon A technically splendid catalogue that will not soon be matched. . . . [An] accessible, informative visual masterpiece. -Samuel Hammer, American Scientist A technically splendid catalogue that will not soon be matched. . . . The wonder and diversity of lichens are there for the viewing on page after page. Lichens, neglected and misunderstood despite their ubiquity, are brought out of obscurity in this volume. The photographs, unmatched in any previous work, breathe life into these unusual, stunningly beautiful symbiotic communities. The authors are to be praised for the accessible, informative visual masterpiece they have served up. The images invite the reader to appreciate, to touch, even to smell the lichens. . . . This handsome volume will . . . find a place in many lichenological venues, from classrooms to laboratories. It is sure to delight the eye of anyone who opens it. It may indeed inspire further nature study. And at just shy of $70, the book is a real bargain. . . . [It] will take its place as the foremost introductory text to the lichens of this continent. -Samuel Hammer, American Scientist The world of brilliantly colored lichens comes to life in this definitive work on a lowly, but ecologically important, group of organisms. . . . Exceptionally vibrant photographs of lichens taken by Sylvia and Stephen Sharnoff accompany the text of the book. . . . By virtue of its publication, this book has instantly become the standard guidebook for lichens and should be in every academic, public, and botanic garden collection. -ARBA (American Reference Books Annual 2003) In a single volume they have succeeded in creating simultaneously a superb research tool as well as an incredible work of art. It will be impossible to short change or ignore lichens any longer. . . . Considering the breadth and depth of coverage, high production values and sheer volume, the list price of $69.95 for Lichens of North America is a steal. This book is destined to become a classic among North American natural history literature. It is a `must have' for the libraries of lichenologists, naturalists, field biologists, educators, land managers, and nature photographers. -Arthur V. Evans, Banisteria This gorgeously illustrated tome is a comprehensive guide to the world's genera of the larger and smaller lichens, in spite of the `North America' in its name. . . . We recommend this book, a gift of world-class scholarship to the scientific community, without reservation. Given its current artificially low price, we suggest that all libraries, private and public, with even a remote interest in natural history obtain it now. -Lynn Margulis & Eva Barreno, BioScience If art is that which forever changes the way we see the world, then Lichens of North America is certainly art. No one who reads this book will walk in the natural world and see it the same way as before. . . . The text of the world has just been translated, and you will not be able to put it down. [It is] is at once a spectacularly beautiful book, an important scientific accomplishment and a great read. . . . [Brodo's] language is crisp, clear and comprehensible, but it is more than that-Brodo writes with real style and grace. -David Arnason, BorderCrossings This recently published magnum opus Lichens of North America isa beautiful volume that treats an often overlooked group of organisms. And this book has everything!. . . . The introductory text in this book is extremely well written and immensely readable. And the photographs are simply works of art. This captivating and thoroughly engrossing books should be on the shelf of everyone who loves nature, and can appreciate the wonderful diversity to be found even in one of the least well-known and overlooked groups of organisms. -Debra Trock, Botanical Research Institute of Texas [The authors] have given us a monumentally conceived and superbly realized book about these curious evolutionary success stories. They have made their subject accessible to the nonspecialist by their intellectual clarity and . . . have also written a book of timeless value to specialists. . . . A book of such generous proportions and physical beauty is a bargain at $69.95. -Brooklyn Botanical Garden Lichens of North America is one of the great natural history books of this or any age-a work in which art and science are perfectly united in tribute to one of the most beautiful, important, and least described pa

This volume is the twenty-first-century lichen equivalent of Audubon's Birds of America. Thomas E. Lovejoy, Smithsonian Institution This is a book to love. It will open a whole new world for naturalists, professional and amateur, to explore and enjoy. E. O. Wilson A long-sought triumph, gorgeously illustrated, accurate, accessible, and comprehensive. Lynn Margulis, University of Massachusetts

Author Information

Irwin M. Brodo is emeritus research scientist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, and is considered a world authority on lichens and their biology. Stephen Sharnoff is and the late Sylvia Duran Sharnoff was research associate at the Missouri Botanical Garden and research affiliate at the University and Jepson Herbaria, University of California, Berkeley. The Sharnoffs are both internationally renowned nature photographers and writers whose work has appeared in, among other places, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Discover, and the New York Times.

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