The Pemberley Bookshop

Why not come and peruse our comprehensive range of natural history titles at our well stocked bookshop, where you can also receive our expert advice. Click here for details of our shop.

Snail

by Williams, P.

Series : Animal Series
Publisher : Reaktion Books
Illustrations : 86 illustrations, 59 in colour

Our customers have not yet submitted a review for this title - click here to be the first to write a review

Description:

For most of us, snails do not elicit feelings of warmth or affection. Apart from our repugnance at its appearance, our relationship with the snail has been influenced by the harm it has inflicted over the years on our garden seedlings. With this book, the author wishes to change our perspectives on this little but much maligned creature.

Beginning with an overview of our relationship with snails, slugs and sea-snails, the author goes on to examine snail evolution; snail behaviour and habitat; snails as food, medicine and the source of useful chemicals and dyes; snail shells as collectible objects; and snails in literature, art and popular culture. The book concludes with a plea for a reconsideration of the snail as a dignified, ancient creature that deserves our respect, rather than one to be thoughtlessly squashed underfoot after a shower of rain.

Containing many surprising and beautiful illustrations, and a collection of recipes for those brave enough to try them, Snail will help readers get beyond the shell and slime to discover the fascinating creature inside.