From Publishers Weekly
In this popular science volume, Mortenson, who studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota, clarifies nature's most confusing pairs or groups of words. To this end he has looked at 243 designations that refer to a form of plant or animal life and attempts to explain how they are related or not related to life forms thought to be similar, like the butterfly and the moth or the turtle and the tortoise. Although Mortenson has done exhaustive research and is knowledgeable about his subject, he does not transform specialist information into accessible prose for the layperson. His introductory discussion of nomenclature and taxonomy is difficult to understand for those not familiar with many of the Latin and technical designations used. For readers who persevere, the text does yield interesting nuggets about words often misused interchangeably. A sweet potato, for example, is a delicious root vegetable, while a yam is actually a bitter-tasting tuber. Rabbits and hares are definitely not rodents, even though their dental structure resembles that of the rat, a true rodent. Solitary grasshoppers can be transformed into swarming locusts, when environmental conditions are right. In order to uncover this information, however, it is necessary to plow through a great deal of dense verbiage. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
If they gave out awards for the oddest book titles, this exploration of confusing words used to describe natural phenomena would be a top candidate. The author focuses on pairs (and larger groups) of words whose meanings we often confuse, e.g., corn and maize, which are often used interchangeably but which actually mean slightly different things. Or mushroom and toadstool, which also describe different things, despite our behaving as though they mean the same thing. (See also frog/toad, turtle/tortoise, antler/horn, and ass/burro/donkey/mule.) It's an interesting little book, filled with tidbits of information (according to the U.S. Forest Service, anything under 12 feet in height is not a tree). The author organizes the text simply, with chapters on plants, aquatic life, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and terrestrial invertebrates (your spiders, ants, caterpillars, and grasshoppers). The first chapter, which explains scientific nomenclature and taxonomy--the reasons we call things what we do--is most illuminating. Definitely a niche book but a fascinating one for those whose interests run in this direction. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004)

"This book is the cat's whiskers." (The Guardian (UK))

"Next time you call someone a weasel, ask yourself: was that what you really meant? Or did you really mean a ferret, a mink, or a polecat? Or maybe an ermine, a fisher, or a marten? Mortenson (B.A., philosophy of science) settles that question and dissects commonly confused terms (e.g., corn vs. maize, frogs vs. toads) in this highly engaging work. He succinctly describes and dispels such misconceptions in short, well-rounded sections drawn from literature, popular use, and ancient lore, followed ultimately by more scholarly natural history resources. Although writing for a lay audience, he is not afraid to frame his explanations using scientific nomenclature. In fact, Mortenson begins the book with a brief yet excellent introduction to nomenclature and taxonomy. His work will appeal to a wide audience, from those with a love of natural history or the history of language to anyone simply looking for an interesting read. Highly recommended for all libraries." (Library Journal)


Review
“Pedants rejoice as Morenson sets verbal misapplication in his sights and lets loose a broadside of correction and proper vocabulary…” (Focus, May 2004)


Book Description
How to tell a bison from a buffalo-not to mention a yam from a sweet potato
Here's a book for anyone who's ever wondered about the difference between a crayfish and a crawfish. Or a frog and a toad. Or a buzzard and a vulture. Animal taxonomy is not what you'd call an exact science, and the field is lousy with all sorts of confounding terms.
In this entertaining, highly useful reference, Philip Mortenson takes on a wide-ranging list of monikers, from plants to higher mammals. Reviewed by an impressive cadre of experts, the book lays to rest any lingering confusion over the distinctions between seemingly related-yet crucially distinct-terms, such as mushroom and toadstool; moss and lichen; crocodile and alligator; skate and ray; turtle and tortoise; and mink, sable, ferret, ermine, stoat, and weasel. Everyone from the language lover to the nature buff will be charmed by this book.
Philip B. Mortenson (Minneapolis, MN) studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota.


About the Author
PHILIP B. MORTENSON studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota. This Is Not a Weasel is his first book.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

How can you tell a buffalo from a bison and a yam from a sweet potato? What happens when a dolphin porpoises? Is it wrong to call a vulture a buzzard, and why are buzzards never called vultures? What's the difference between a frog and a toad, and are crawfish and crayfish really the same? This Is Not a Weasel helps you make sense of the ubiquitous similarities, confounding terminology, and downright misnomers that make plant and animal names so confusing. This entertaining and highly useful reference takes on a wide-ranging list of monikers for all types of plants and animals. It lays to rest any lingering confusion over the distinctions between seemingly related -- yet crucially distinct -- terms, such as here and rabbit; seal and sea lion; moss and lichen; crocodile and alligator; skate and ray; turtle and tortoise; and mink, sable, ferret, ermine, stoat, and weasel.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this popular science volume, Mortenson, who studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota, clarifies nature's most confusing pairs or groups of words. To this end he has looked at 243 designations that refer to a form of plant or animal life and attempts to explain how they are related or not related to life forms thought to be similar, like the butterfly and the moth or the turtle and the tortoise. Although Mortenson has done exhaustive research and is knowledgeable about his subject, he does not transform specialist information into accessible prose for the layperson. His introductory discussion of nomenclature and taxonomy is difficult to understand for those not familiar with many of the Latin and technical designations used. For readers who persevere, the text does yield interesting nuggets about words often misused interchangeably. A sweet potato, for example, is a delicious root vegetable, while a yam is actually a bitter-tasting tuber. Rabbits and hares are definitely not rodents, even though their dental structure resembles that of the rat, a true rodent. Solitary grasshoppers can be transformed into swarming locusts, when environmental conditions are right. In order to uncover this information, however, it is necessary to plow through a great deal of dense verbiage. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal