See Endless Forms – The Sumner Lab
I was pointed towards this book by an iSpot comment – by sarahloving, I think, apologies all round if not! I found a second-hand copy, and am thoroughly enjoying reading it. Like Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson’s “Incredible Insects”, it has an engaging style: it shows the author’s fascination and scholarship, and quickly draws you in. The marketing of the book focusses on most people’s spheksophobia (I had to look it up), and Sumner does refer to it – before diving head-first into the wonders that lie hidden beneath.
It’s a fair bet that even the most dedicated “Apocritaphile” will find something new in it: to the rank amateur, the diversity and degree of adaptation of wasps are quite stunning. Her work (and those of her predecessors and colleagues) is presented in just enough detail to share some of the practical and academic difficulties, without obscuring the findings and their implications.
There are names on book spines that will always attract my attention; Peter Marren, f’rinstance. You know you’re going to learn something, but also that you’re going to enjoy the reading experience. I’d add Prof. Sumner to this list now: humorous at times, but deadly serious at others. I have no offspring, but I can imagine iSpotters that do have smiling quietly over her account of trying to recruit her family in hunting down Potter Wasps on an English heathland.
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Fabulous review, Amadan! I don’t mind saying, and I’m sure Sarah will confirm, that 'twas I who alerted wasp-lovers to this following my recent wasp nest observations and subsequent book discovery. Sarah also has a nest in her garden and we’re waiting for it to be dug out!
Brilliant writing, innit?
Apology, as promised. And thanks for drawing it to my attention. A very good read!