Friday Florida Book Review: Bivalve Seashells Of Florida

A bivalve near and dear to my Minorcan heart. These little guys are both a source of food and building material in my hometown of St. Augustine. That they are beautiful is just icing on the cake. This photo is typical of the photography throughout "Bivalve Seashells Of Florida". The photos are clear, crisp, with no distracting background to muddle your identification process.



Recently I received a copy of "Bivalve Seashells Of Florida" in the mail. (Don't you love getting packages in the mail?)

The author, Trish Hartmann, had read Pure Florida and thought I might enjoy a copy of her new book.
She did not ask for a book review or even any mention here at PF, so I hope she doesn't mind if I discuss her book a little.

Simply put, it's excellent!


If it weren't you never would have heard about it here.

The book is reader friendly with short, clear descriptions of each species directly opposite the crystal clear photos that show several views of the shell. There's a section on bivalve/human history, habitats, regulations, and shell collecting.

The book is also the right size to pack in a beach bag or keep in a JEEP, so it's with you when you find some bodacious bivalves beyond your brain's 'bilities. Too many "field guides" make the mistake of going for the coffee table book category, which makes them pretty, but useless in the field.

Trish did not make that mistake. Instead, she's produced an excellent book that should be in your library (better yet in your beach bag or on your boat) if you are interested in knowing the name of that pretty shell you just picked up.
This book goes far beyond Florida too. Most of these species can be found all along the Gulf and Southeast coastlines.

You can find this book online at www.anadarapress.com.

It's a great book.
Ya' heard it here first.