Animals on the Edge: Reporting from the Front Line of Extinction

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Animals on the Edge is the most up-to-date visual survey of our world's rare and endangered mammals, featuring stunning photographs of 60 terrestrial mammals on the latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Chris Weston and Art Wolfe are among the finest wildlife photographers at work today, and passionate advocates of wildlife conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN is the global authority on the status of animal and plant species worldwide. The book's general introduction defines the scope of the project. Chapters are organized geographically: The Americas; Europe & North Asia; Africa; East, West & South Asia; Southeast Asia & Oceania. Photo captions detail the conservation status of each species and the threats it faces. 'On the Frontline' features in each chapter offer compelling in-depth reporting on the successes, failures and challenges of particular conservation hotspots around the globe. A final section, 'On Assignment: A Photographer's Journal', is a vivid, behind-the-scenes account of some of Chris Weston's adventures along the way.

Animals on the Edge combines spectacular imagery with a wealth of factual information, engaging narrative, and an impassioned message.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

In 2008, British wildlife photographer Weston set out to document endangered animals in their native habitats around the world. His odyssey yielded these spectacular photographs of 60 mammals classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Accompanying captions describe each animal's habitat range, behavior, and population trends, although most of this information can be accessed for free on IUCN's web site. Weston's poignant sidebar narratives explain-in heartbreaking detail-the link between endangered species and human poverty. Verdict Required reading for environmentalists and fans of wildlife photography, this book also offers eye-opening information for general readers, students, and even young children. Highly recommended.-Kelsy Peterson, Johnson Cty. Community Coll. Lib., Overland Park, KS (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

In the last ten years, there has been a stream of books serving as calls for conservation, using photographs to evoke awe and appreciation, as well as anger and action. This is another such title, focusing on about 50 threatened or endangered mammals from around the world. There are one or two photos for each mammal, occasionally more, along with a brief synopsis of their conservation status. Weston, a wildlife photographer and photojournalist, provides brief vignettes of conservation efforts scattered across the globe to illustrate the complexity of the problem and underscore the impression present throughout the book of the sense of imminent loss. Fifty years from now, books such as this will serve as a ruler to measure the success and sincerity of the world's conservation programs. In any event, they are documentary proof of the threat, so that no one can honestly say people did not know what was at stake and how urgently action was needed. The photos themselves are remarkable evidence of a tremendous amount of patience and endurance. Colorful, close, and sad, they will be the envy of amateur and professional nature photographers everywhere. An ideal addition for reading rooms or coffee tables. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. J. Nabe Southern Illinois University Carbondale