From Booklist
Rowe, who is director of Primate Conservation, Inc., has spent the last 10 years studying and photographing primates around the world. The result of those years is this guide, which is described as "useful for students and primatologists" but not all encompassing. The foreword and introduction are written by Jane Goodall and Ralph Mittermeier, both of whom are well known for their research and conservation efforts regarding primates.The number of identified species of primates has increased from 180 in 1960 to the 234 that are included in the guide. The book is divided into sections by superfamily, family, and subfamily or genus. Each section has an introductory page describing the superfamily complete with a scale drawing comparing the size of the primate with a five-foot, six-inch human. The species are then arranged alphabetically by Latin name. At least half a page is devoted to each genus, with one or more color photographs, the taxonomy, distinguishing physical characteristics, habitat, diet, life history, locomotion, social structure, and a map that shows the range of the species. The last species listed is Homo sapiens, with a mirror instead of a photograph accompanying the text! A sidebar for each species indicates the conservation status, from critically endangered to lower risk, as determined by one of three national or world organizations. Homo sapiens are considered lower risk by the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. There is also a short glossary, an index, and a bibliography of more than 1,000 items cited in the text, plus a list of popular field guides, books for children, and 13 Web sites.Some of the books in Jane Goodall's Animal World series have similar information, but Rowe's guide will still find a place in reference collections in school, public, and academic libraries because many humans are interested in their closest living relations.


Book News, Inc.
A lavishly-illustrated guide providing a photographs or illustration of each of the 234 living prosimians, monkeys, and apes of the world. It includes details about their lifestyles and some of their interesting behaviors, as well as range maps and their conservation status. -- Copyright © 1999 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR All rights reserved


Midwest Book Review
This exceptional coverage is a 'must purchase' for any library serious about primates: over 500 color photos and 16 illustrations are packed into a fine title which illustrates the diversity of primates in a field guide reference. This gorgeous collection is unparalleled and deserves a place in any serious science library.


From Independent Publisher
This is one of the most provocative books of color photographs I've ever seen. Of course, the text is important because of what it tells us about the 234 currently recognized species of primates all around the world, but it's these oddly familiar faces that will remain with you. Have you ever heard of the endangered Bald Uacari, with its red face, who lives in Brazil and Peru? He looks like a Japanese Noh actor. Then, there's the amazing nose on the Proboscis Monkey of Borneo. He's also endangered. Noel Rowe, who formed the Primate Conservation Inc., a nonprofit organization that funds research and conservation for unknown and endangered primates, has traveled around the world to take these splendid photographs. With a compelling foreword by primatologist Jane Goodall and an extensive resource list and bibliography, even at its steep price, this book should appeal to nature lovers of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book is an attractive photographic guide to the 234 currently recognized primate species with over 500 color photographs and 20 illustrations. The text of each species is comprised of basic information about habitat, diet, social structure and behavior, A range map and the current category of endangerment is provided for each species.

FROM THE CRITICS

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