Catfishes of Africa Book Review

[Jools]

Chaps,

Marc has volunteered to write this up, but I have a nagging doubt that someone else is working on it. Can anyone who might have been on this (e.g. fans of Synodontis etc - you know who you are!) count themselves out?

Cheers,

Jools

[Marc van Arc]

I re-read the thread and RichardB was willing to write a review. If that is still the case Richard, pls reply, for I don't want to be in anyone's way.

[Richard B]

I'm about halfway done - i hope its acceptable. Maybe you might want to add to it to give a better all round review? I aim to complete by 4th Jan or earlier

[Jools]

I thought we'd discussed it, but just couldn't remember. Early January would be fine.

Jools

[Birger]

I had my eye on it but had the same thoughts and was waiting for Richards rendition.

Working under pressure now Richard

[Richard B]

I had my eye on it but had the same thoughts and was waiting for Richards rendition.

Working under pressure now Richard

& i've almost finished a CotM as well

[Jools]

The CotM would be VERY useful on for the 1st Jan?

Jools

[Marc van Arc]

Maybe you might want to add to it to give a better all round review?

If the "you" was meant for me: no, you just go ahead. I'm sure it'll be a nice review that you can do without my help.
I regularly write things: tales about my school (in a Tom Sharpe-like way ) and song texts. On top of that - just an hour after I'd mailed Jools about the review saying I had some time to spare - I decided to sell a part of my automotive books collection, which has been keeping me busy this weekend and will undoubtedly do so for the oncoming days.

[Jools]

Richard,

Would you be able to focus on the review instead of both review and CotM? Marc is going to provide January's CotM.

Thanks,

Jools

[Richard B]

Yes, no worries

[Richard B]

on it's way....

[sidguppy]

I got this book and I have to say it's good. really good

it makes some changes in nomenclature, but that's something that happens everywhere.
if i don't check this site regular base, I guess I wouldn't recognize half the fishes' names in a few months.

apart from Synodontis there simply isn't any book on African cats, save for the tiny tetra booklets and the now ancient Catfishes of the world written by David Sands. nice things, but superficial.

this book is The Works.
it's for us African catfish keepers what the Wels Atlas is for those addicted to L numbers. can't say it better than that.

even if there are mistakes in there (i found a few*), I'll gladly accept them for all the other stuff -wich is a LOT- wich is good and above all very complete.


* for example I seem to be one of the very few persons on the globe who can properly determine Lophiobagrus brevispinis from Lophiobagrus cyclurus, the book mixes these 2 ;)

[Jools]

http://www.planetcatfish.com/books/book ... cle_id=389

I agree that it's a great boon. It's a small point, but what is up with the red triangle at the top of the book cover? It's such an ugly thing and spoils the aesthetic of the book dramatically. Clare (who knows a thing or two about these things) say it's about the ugliest book she's seen in years! I have to agree that typographically it is a bit like a 1990's web page (minus, just, the flaming skulls) although I disagree with Richard in that I like the inset pictures the book uses - even if I find many of the pictures about 25% too small.

Just as well what is within the covers is so appreciated and so comprehensive. It's just an excellent book - top drawer stuff.

Jools

[Birger]

Clare (who knows a thing or two about these things) say it's about the ugliest book she's seen in years!

Considering Seegers Lake Rukwa book has such a nice presentation, when you compare the two I would have to agree

[Silurus]

I didn't like the layout all that much, but I have seen catfish books that are a lot worse (both in terms of content and layout).

This, for instance:

It's so abysmal that I would not write a review, even if I had the time.

[Birger]

didn't like the layout all that much, but I have seen catfish books that are a lot worse (both in terms of content and layout).

This, for instance:

Catfishes.jpg



It's so abysmal that I would not write a review, even if I had the time.

I would call that a review right there...not all reviews are positive

[Tom]

I'm interested in the book BUT went to amazon.com and they want $i45 for it! Call me cheap but is that correct?

[Birger]

That is about the going rate right now and I do not think you could get it discounted anywhere considering it is so new.
For me it worked out to $154 Canadian...yes it is a lot for a book but it covers a lot as well