Reviews (2)

Where in the World are all the Sea Shells?
This book will help anybody on the Eastern Seaboard find shelling spots from Maine to Florida.It is especially helpful with local customs and laws.

Superbly written and organized
Now in an expanded second edition, Chuck and Debbie Robinson's The Art Of Shelling continues to be the definitive guide to finding shells and other beach collectibles at shelling locations ranging the American coastline from Maine to Florida. This compendium of information about the seashore and seashells has expanded to include new shelling locations, information on additional seashells and sea creatures, more illustrations, and an enhanced travel reference section. Superbly written and organized for the non-specialist general reader, The Art Of Shelling is a perfect guide for the hobbyist and collector, as well as the simple vacationer seeking unique mementos of their seaside visits. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques/Collectibles    2. Atlantic Coast (U.S.)    3. Nature    4. Nature / Seashells    5. Seashells    6. Shells    7. Sports & Recreation / Fishing   

Reviews (4)

The National Audubon Society Field Guide To Shells
This book does an unusually fine job of including lots of info without becoming too bulky and cumbersome to carry in the field. Photos of the 700+ specimens measure a compact 3.5 X 2 inches. Most show front and back of the shell, a big help since they differ so much. Sometimes if a species varies a lot there are multiple specimens. Write-ups of species are on much thinner paper than the photos, helping to keep thebook's size down. They include 1) detailed descriptions pointing out both variations and consistencies from one shell to another of that species, 2) a short note on habitat, 3) another on range 4) and sometimes added info that doesn't fit into those categories. I bought this book to identify three shells I saw in California. Two of them were in it.This is a great little book that I wouldn't want to be without.

Ultimate shell reference.
The Audubon Guide to Seashells is one of the best known and most reliable field references. Whether beachcombing, snorkeling over a reef, or searching a tidepool, this guide will come in handy for all those locations. Many seashells are listed in this guide, coming out at more than 600 in all. The shells are a feast for the eyes, coming in all shapes, colors, and patterns. The best and most admirable family covered are the Limpets. From dull green to stunning black and white striped, this is the most detailed and beautiful family listed in the book. Cone snails are also covered very well. The main question here is: Why does the book have negative ratings? Flipping to the back for details may be tiresome for lazy readers. There is nothing unprofessional about the book in any way. It VERY professional and a good recommendation.

Very non-professional
First, book has very poor illogical structure and Read more

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Mollusca    3. Mollusks    4. Nature    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North America    8. Seashells    9. Shells    10. Animals    11. Nature / Seashells   

Reviews (3)

An ok beginner collector book
All collectors become well aware of the two most famous shell book authors as they enter a journey into this hobby; R Tucker Abbott and Peter Dance. Dance has written this book as a general shell book of world wide shells, more to promote interest than being a particularly useful field identification guide.There are at last count, somewhere around 80,000 members of the mollusks; clearly any shell book has to take that into account and only the more popular species are going to be present.
Asian shells
Don't buy this book (Smithsonian?--US?)unless you are interested in shells of SE Asia.

Very reliable handbook.
This handbook on shells is very reliable in the field or in a studio. Dozens of mollusks, crustaceans, and other exotic shell collectibles are listed here, turning out at more than two hundred species listings! However, most featured here are east coast species or found way out of the United States, which makes it not as reliable for an American beachcoming in Santa Barbara or Baja California. For those living out on the east coast or in the Caribbean, this is an excellent and very reliable resource. Also quite fun to read as a coffee table or easy chair book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Pictorial works    5. Seashells    6. Shells    7. Nature / Seashells   

Reviews (3)

For the Ageless Avid Beachcomber
If you like to collect seashells, then this handy key to the typical shells found on a beach may be of interest. It comes in a handy soft cover and is pocket sized, so it will easily fit in one's bathing suit's waist.It is slender, although several of the easy to find shells are listed, photos are reasonable and of good quality.It is similar to other such books, although not quite a book and not quite a pamphlet. It's in a league of its own!

Ultimate shell reference!
Whether for a valuable collection at home, or a sight while swimming or scuba diving, this will prove very reliable in the field. A MUCH more advanced field guide than the Golden First Guides, this lists over 600 shells in all and will quickly identify any strange seashell you happen to find beachcombing. This guide contains: Augor shells, chitons, whelks, limpets, and many other valuable collectibles. Each shell species entry has a description added to the side, explaining: abundance, range, and habitat. After the first Golden Guide to Seashells intrigues you, try your luck out with this field reference. This is the book that got me started.
Yes it's way out of date.Yes the super rare shells listed in the book are often no longer even mildly rare.Yes it is drawings only.Sigh.But this is the book that got me and all too many others hooked into this area.30 years later I still love the hobby.Give it to a child and watch him/her grow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature/Ecology    3. Seashells    4. Nature / Oceans & Seas   

Reviews (12)

Compendium Of Seashells
This is a great book which hv given me alot of info, but still can upgrate by increase more pictures & decription for seashells of the world.

informative
This book is very informative and descriptive if you're looking to collect exotic shells from different parts of the world.

Great for Collectors and Researchers!
I'm currently cataloging a extremely large seashell collection that was donated to a museum. This book has made the job much easier than I thought I would be. It is organized in a way that makes terrific sense so you can easily find the section you are looking for.....I'm using a library copy, but I definiely want one for my own collection and library.
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Subjects:  1. Nature / Field Guide Books    2. Seashells    3. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Nature / Guide Books    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Juvenile literature    5. Nature & the Natural World    6. Nature - General    7. Seashells    8. Shells    9. Juvenile Fiction / Nature & the Natural World   

Reviews (9)

Clearly the Best - Sea for Yourself :-)
My five-year old loves loves visiting her grandparents in Naples, FL. Her two favorite activities are swimming and collecting shells along the beach shore.This wonderfully informative, thorough, and beautifully illustrated guide has helped her (and me) to learn all about the various sea shells that are native to Florida.I have looked at other books about seashells but this one is by far, the BEST! If you are planning a trip to Florida and you enjoy collecting sea shells, this one is the only guide you'll need! Btw, we paid the same price for one from the Audobon Society but it left out too many common ones found in FL like kitten's paw ! I look forward to reading the other books in this wonderful series.

Florida's Fabulous Seashells
Wow, what a fantastic book!We bought this book while we were in Florida because we wanted more information on the shells we collected.We picked right!The book is packed full of information and the pictures are beautiful!We liked it so well we purchased another copy for a birthday gift!You will want to display it for all to see.

Colorful and Informative
If you want to know your whelks from your wentletraps from your limpets, then this book can help.Besides gorgeous color photos of shells, it gives lots of info (helpfully boxed for easy reading).Find out why left-handed shells are an oddity, how to make coquina broth, why you hear the sea when you put a shell to your ear and other tidbits.
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Subjects:  1. Florida    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Pictorial works    6. Seashells    7. Seashore animals    8. Seashore fauna    9. Shells    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (1)

Very intersesting with lots of details
Lack of colored pictures. Very informative. Super guide for scuba diversand naturalists as well as shell collectors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mollusca    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Reference    5. Seashells    6. Molluscs    7. Nature / Seashells    8. Reference works    9. Sea & seashore life   

Editorial Review

As a child, I found few things more fascinating than seashells: from the age of 10 until 15,I would often stay awake all night classifying and sorting shells that friends and family had sent me from around the world, and my most joyous summers were spent on the coasts of Maine, North Carolina, Florida, Washington, and Puerto Rico, gathering shells from the briny wrack. Read more

Reviews (11)

Fantastic shell book
This book is pure eye candy for shell lovers. The photographs are beautiful and the close ups allow you to see the fine detail of many shells. This book can also be used as a shell identification reference as the photos are clearly annotated with the names of the shells.

Great for beach lovers
My wife purchased this book for our beach house and we decided to keep a copy for ourselves at home.It has every shell that you could ever dream of.Our kids love the book because they can look up shells that they have found in the book and see what they are called and what use to live inside of them.
Much more then expected
This book is not by any means scientific.
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Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Photography    3. Pictorial works    4. Seashells    5. Shells    6. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    7. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (1)

Outstanding Book.A Classic
If you want to cover shells in the region, this is the book for you.Nice range info and lots of photos although most are in B&W.Highly recommended in your shell book library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mollusks    2. Nature    3. Pacific coast (America)    4. Seashells    5. Tropics   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    2. Nature    3. Nature / Field Guide Books    4. North America    5. Photo Essays    6. Photography    7. Seashells    8. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals   

Reviews (2)

Grammy
Great little book for beginners to carry around, to check their shells and learn about the care of their shells.

A must for the beach-strolling shell collector in Florida!
A sweet little reference book, though abbreviated. It is sufficient for the ameteur shell collector curious about their finds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. General    5. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    6. Seashells    7. Transportation   

Reviews (2)

Well photographed. Organization needs work.
Simon and Schuster's Guide to Shells is beautifully photographed and the descriptions are top notch and helpful. The species of shellfish listed are admirable and quite a feast for the eyes, especially the "Mediterranean Chiton," which is an unusual rock dwelling shellfish with a 10 inch carapace. Quite amazing. The photographs and descriptions earned this guide a four star rating. Now for the organization details: The shells are organized into groups that explain which type of surface they reside on, which is not as helpful as organizing them in families, genus, or the shape of the shell. This may displease a diver using this guide as a very quick reference, as there is nothing quick about the ID system used here. However, for the person reading this book at a beach, at home, or by a campfire, the organization will not matter very much. This guide to shells is strictly recommended only for the easygoing collector.

Very difficult to use and poorly organized
This book is the right size to carry along with you. The pictures are excellent. That is the good stuff. The text is dense, complex and scientifically boring.The arrangement is unusual in that it classifiesthe shells by the type of surface on which they live.This is no help tosomeone who wants to identify a shell from a certain family as only one ortwo are illustrated.The book does not give any indication of abundance,value or availability.It does not contain a bibliography so there is noway to track down a book that deals with a family such as the tropicalcones.I was less than pleased with this purchase ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Seashells    7. Shells    8. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    9. Nature / General   

Reviews (1)

Very useful!
Instead of picking up shells and putting them away in a box, you will learn the name of the shell and how it lived at one time. Very informative book with pictures of the shells and handy size for travel to the beach. Don't skip the beginning pages of the book for great beach info. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature / Field Guide Books    3. North Carolina    4. Seashells    5. Shells    6. South Carolina   

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. North America    5. Reference    6. Seashells    7. Shells    8. Animals    9. Evolution & variation    10. Nature / Seashells    11. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (2)

Transformed my view of nature
Vermeij is a man who, although blind, sees the pattern and meaning behind objects in the natural world with insight that is truly transformative. Although this book is about shells, and only shells, it relates them to evolution and geography in a way that takes the read way beyond its nomitive subject matter to something that should widen the mind of any curious reader.

Review of Natural History of Shells
I never knew there was so much to the history of shells until I read this book.I love how the author ties in evolutionist theories throughout the book and how much shells and fossils can teach us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    2. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Science    6. Seashells    7. Shells    8. Biological Sciences    9. Crustaceans    10. Earth Sciences    11. Molluscs    12. Nature / Seashells    13. Nature-Seashells    14. Science / Marine Biology    15. Science-Life Sciences - Zoology - General   

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Pictorial works    5. Reference    6. Seashells    7. Shells    8. Nature / Seashells    9. Shells - Identification    10. Shells - Pictorial works   

Reviews (1)

Collectible Florida Shells
This is a nifty little handbook that handled nearly all the identification needed for amateur shell collecting on Cayo Costa, a barrier island on Florida's west coast.The photographs are accurate and information is easyto find. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Seashells   

Reviews (2)

Fun AND beautiful
I found "Beyond the Beach Blanket" a beautiful and easy to use field guide -- terrific photos and really interesting material. It contains much more information than the average field guide -- a lot of fun facts and cool stories about the lifecycles of beach creatures. It really covers a lot of different types of animals too -- clams and other shells, plus tidepool animals like sea urchins, plus what the book calls "near shore creatures" like fish and sharks, plus marine mammals AND shore birds. It's an all in one guide for the beach.

A lovely, recommended pick
appreciate Marina Curtis Tidwell 's Beyond The Beach Blanket: A Field Guide To Southern California Coastal Wildlife all that's needed is proximity to a Southern California beach and a general appreciation for sea life. From thirty-year-old clams to strange jellyfish, color photos supplement science-filled but lively descriptions of the habits and habitats of Southern California's beach wildlife. A lovely, recommended pick. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California, Southern    2. Coastal animals    3. Identification    4. Marine Life    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Oceans & Seas    9. Seashells    10. Wildlife   

Reviews (2)

About the shells, but in a very biological way
This is actually a book about the living molluscs, and not the shells themselves. Some of the best underwater photography i have ever seen to date is to be found here and in large format. The text is mostly biological and comprehensive.
Lovely photos, fair figures, lacking on text
This is an excellent book.I was impressed by the photos of different marine mollusks in their native habitats, often engaged in complex feeding activities (especially note Colubraria feeding on a parrot fish through it's mucus bubble).It's very nice to see, for a change, a book dedicated to the living organisms that we as Conchologists often tend to forget when engaging in this hobby. I have an extensive collection of shell books and would say to the best of my knowledge this book simply has some of the finest mollusk habitat photography of any book I've seen.I wish they included a bit more text; I felt that a little moreinfo with those excellent photos this would have made this a classic text.Instead it is a excellent book for the amature collector looking for more than the typical identification of shells book.That maybe a mis-characterization as there was information in the text that was new to me (and I have been in this hobby for 30 years), but a lot of the text seemed 'wanting'.Well worth a look see. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mollusca    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Seashells    5. Shells