Secret World of Slugs and Snails, The Paperback – 7 Oct. 2012

I really enjoyed this quirky informative book, despite not being enamoured of either slugs or snails. For me it gave these pestiferous creatures a different and interesting image and made me see them in a different and perhaps more respectful light. I enjoyed the humourous approach as well as the wealth of informative facts about slugs and snails and the little illustrations just fitted in perfectly. I would recommend this to anyone who has ever just hesitated before despatching a snail from their garden or spent time watching them meander round creating their erratic slimy trails.

I found David George Gordon's book on slugs and snails to be both informative and entertaining. As a gardener the book increased my respect for and interest in these pesky critters but also helped me think more carefully about environmentally friendly ways to garden. Some of the facts revealed were simply extra-ordinary and fascinating.

Although I knew the book centred on the slugs and land snails of the US North West, the bulk of the book is a good read for snail lovers the world over. Even in the part where the snails of the US West Coast are covered, I found useful information on our native (European) species as they are invasive species over there! The rather frequent spelling errors in the scientific names are forgiven, as it is not a scientific work. The book is meant for a broader public and is very lightly written, readable in short, separate blocks of text, interspersed with line drawings, poems and quotes from older works. It's not easy nowadays to find a book that inspires enthusiasm for snails and slugs, looking at them from different angles and not just focusing on the myriad ways of exterminating them. The last part of the book is about just that, but even here the focus is on 'living together' rather than 'war'. This book should be required reading for everyone who owns a garden.

Fascinating

crisp, neat, humorous, informative...

An excellent book, not overly complicated. Finn and informative. Recommended

This is a very good book, offering a lot of fairly detailed info about slugs and snails, their biology, habitats etc. However, I must caution prospective UK-based readers that it is primarily aimed at a North American public, and it therefore discusses species of slugs and snails to be found across North America. Some of these (the common garden snail, or the grove snail) are also to be found in Europe, but others are native to the US. This is something to keep in mind, since there is some disappointment in finding, as I did, that the species discussed in the book are not always the species one, as a UK-based reader, would be most interested in (i.e. species native to Europe). Other than that, as I said, the book offers much detailed info, from the basics of mollusc biology, to how to plan a mollusc-friendly garden, and even, for those so inclined, how to cook and serve snails.

My grandson wanted a book on slugs and I bought it for him even though it seemed awfully technical. But he loves it. He tells me what he learned. I'm so glad I picked this book.

I knew next to nothing about slugs before reading this book, with its brilliant subtitle.I hoped for something as witty, and informative.I got a tedious, thin, and, yes, sluggish text that left me as cold as its subject.

After a lifetime of battling slugs and snails in the garden, it was interesting to learn what they are all about. I did not find a lot of redeeming features, but it was interesting.

I'm really enjoying this easy read. Lots of fun facts and history on snails and slugs. I always liked snails before but am now finding myself enchanted and wanting to learn more! I only wish there were photos.

Entertaining , not just for a book about snails but in general