A magnificent encyclopedia of endangered plants and animals worldwide - readable and concise, with colour maps and colour photographs for most species accounts. Over 1400 species are covered, based on information obtained from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the IUCN Red Lists (IUCN 'vulnerable', 'endangered' and 'critically endangered' classifications are clearly shown). Contributors include Kelvin Boot, Chris Mattison, Sara Oldfield, Fred Rumsey, Gordon Rutter and Michael J. Weedon. The 13th volume is a very useful index to the whole (each volume also has its own volume index). Originally a partwork series, this is an invaluable reference that shows all the signs of careful research and editing. There is no other comparable work currently available.