Give a moment's thought, if you will, to the planning and execution of a 21st Century building. Design, engineering, finance, construction, inspection, labour relations and myriad other functions need to be dealt with. Blueprints have to be created, meetings held, disagreements resolved, bruised egos mollified, schedules met, political interference resisted, scores of different trades integrated, bylaws complied with or skillfully skirted. Adherence to health and safety regulations is a major concern, labour relations are paramount. There is no end to it!
In the insect world construction is accomplished flawlessly every time in a manner intrinsic to the colony or individual insect, with dedication, harmony and unity of purpose. A loner creating a refuge for its larvae is as precise in its accomplishment as a huge colony of termites in their climate-controlled high rise tower. These wonders of nature are in fact frequently used as models for human endeavours. They generally represent the level of peak efficiency sought by human architects and planners - and never a corner is cut, never a low grade material used to save a few dollars. Witness below a modern (and very inviting) building emulating the efficiencies of a termite colony, with flowing lines and natural cooling.
This book is about as fascinating a read as you will ever have, even if you never gave a thought to the lives of insects before. So many organisms are covered, from solitary bees and wasps to those species which form colonies, from societies of ants creating fungus gardens below the earth to a Pearly Green Lacewing laying her eggs on a stalk!
You simply cannot fail to be impressed with it all and not a little gobsmacked along the way. Consider the fortress a humble Caddisfly larva builds on its own back, constructed entirely from the detritus all around it.
The book is peppered with fabulous (I do not use the word lightly) schematics that show the life cycle of different insects in exquisite detail; so precise, yet easy enough for a child to follow.
As one who values books above most things, this volume stands out. The text is both precise and concise, the illustrations make you stop and examine the detail.
Even the inside front and back covers are impressed with a sort of subliminal illustration that I find incredibly pleasing and interesting. It adds both beauty and context.
I am grateful to the author and to the illustrator, to the consulting editor and the photographers.
It is a force majeure, a tour de force, a magnum opus, a repository of wonder. I will treasure it forever.
Insect Architecture: How Insects Build, Engineer and Shape Their World - Princeton University Press
Tom Jackson and Michael S. Engel
Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691275239
176 pages - 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm) - 150 colour illustrations
Publication date: 09 September, 2025
In my case, I judge the book by its cover 😂 This book looks quite informative and detailed! Nature is amazing, always mesmerised! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteOne of the most fascinating creatures I've observed in the past few years was the Caddisfly and their little homes. In our creek they build their houses out of grains of sand! If insects were studied in how they engineer, perhaps we'd learn something!
ReplyDelete...insects are indeed amazing architects!
ReplyDeleteHi, David!
ReplyDeleteThank you again, kind sir, the encouraging comment you submitted at Shady's Place as I celebrate the completion of 17 years of blogging. I see that you have been at it even longer and I congratulate you on your longevity.
I admire people who love wildlife and pay attention to their habits. The richly illustrated book you reviewed today, Insect Architecture, looks quite interesting. Today's world lacks the "dedication, harmony and unity of purpose" possessed by insects, making them superior to humans in that regard.
Thanks again for your supportive comment about my blogging journey, David!
Great to hear from you, Shady. I hope that our paths will cross again.
DeleteThis looks like a fantastic book, David.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is already amazing; some insects build such impressive structures.
I wish you a wonderful Thursday.
Greetings Irma
You would enjoy it, Irma. Too bad it is unlikely to be translated into Dutch.
DeleteIt looks great! The image materials seem very enticing.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteBeing the armchair student of architecture that I am, this one's going on the wishlist... and isn't it interesting how one can be waiting on a bus then two come along... only yesterday I was watching a video in which the amazing homes of termites are built and how the colonies work... YAM xx
I know that you will derive great pleasure from it, YAM.
DeleteIt is fascinating the fact that such wonders of nature are sometimes used as models by humans. That's really a great book!
ReplyDeleteWhen you dig into, nature is used as a model for human activity far more frequently than some might think.
DeleteYou always show such exciting books, and nature is incredibly interesting both to read about and to see for yourself, David. You only have to study an anthill in the forest to understand how skilled insects are at building. Thank you for your review of the book.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
As a child, Marit, I acquired an old aquarium from somewhere and housed ants in it. I was able observe them and I am quite sure that was one of the triggers that engendered my lifelong fascination with nature.
DeleteInsects are pretty amazing. And so varied. Just the number of kinds I see in my yard amazes me. I bet this is a gorgeous book. I've never seen big termite mounds that I can think of, but it's a pretty fascinating home. Hope you get some much needed rain. We had "some" last night. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI think your first sentence says it all, Erika, "Insects are pretty amazing."
DeleteThat does sound wonderful. The more I learn about different insects the more I am impressed. And am I sure they will continue to impress me :-D
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what insects actually do. Looks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteInsects are fascinating architects. Thank you for sharing, David.
ReplyDeleteI am always happy for your book reviews. The insect world is amazing to say the least.
ReplyDeleteThis book does sound like an interesting take on its quite fascinating subjects. I think I need to seek it out. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating book!
ReplyDeleteYou always get these great interesting books, Good review, David
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can persuade the local library to purchase this book. or, in fact, any of those marvellous Princeton University Press books. I saw huge termite mounds when I was in Australia, impressive structures.
ReplyDeleteMy most impressive memory of termite mounds was in Ethiopia.
DeleteI have to say that nature is quite fascinating and this book sounds really interesting.I'll bet the grandkids might enjoy this book. Thanks for the review David.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the grandparents, too.
DeleteDo you remember a doomsaying documentary back in the 1970s call The Hellstrom Chronicle, about how the human race would some day succumb to insects? I found out later on the whole thing was meant to be satirical, but when I first saw it in my teens I took it seriously. One thing has stayed with me over the years. An ant farm is completely destroyed by a water from a garden hose, only to be up and running again a few days later, something obviously would take a lot longer if were a modern American city. Satirical or not, your book review brought that to mind.
ReplyDeleteGuau, what amazing review! truly, insects create their homes with such precision and harmony, as if each one comes with a secret plan in its head. Perfect homes, they don't use cheap materials, natural ingenuity... a true marvel of nature!
ReplyDeleteGood night, dear friend
Gros bisous 🐞🏡✨
How very fascinating, David - It's already on my mental book list that is getting longer whenever I read one of your reviews (could you please stop this? No, don't...). A few years ago I discovered three tiny potter wasp nests on a lavender stalk in my garden. It took me a while to identify it - with this book I would have found it right away since you displayed that page so helpfully. I kept that stalk and still have it. One of the nests disappeared unfortunately, but the other two are still there. I was also fascinated by the hornet's nest that we saw at the lake last year, a magnificent construction. Big hugs - Carola
ReplyDeleteI bet you have an amazing cabinet of curios, Carola.
DeleteWould be a good book to have. Termite mounds plentiful way up north and some so, so tall too.
ReplyDeleteAustralia is renowned for its termite mounds.
DeleteI saw a documentary on tv one day and clearly, insects are amazing architects !
ReplyDeleteHave an interesting weekend David !
Bisous
Anna
A presentation that convinces anyone to read this book.
ReplyDeleteHi David - it's interesting how little attention we pay to nature's constructs ... so much to learn from them. This sounds a delightful book ... but one I know I'd enjoy, yet need to not buy! Cheers and thanks for the review of this one - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've already read the book just from your fantastic description of it. The way you compare human construction to the flawless work of insects is so insightful and makes you really appreciate the natural world in a new way.
ReplyDeleteThis does look like a book that is unique and quite fascinating. I can see why you'll treasure it forever!
ReplyDeleteAren't insects amazing architects.
ReplyDeleteLooks a very good book.
All the best Jan
You intrigue and entice powerfully regarding intriguing and enticing matters. Thank you, David. Be well over there.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and beautifully produced book. People often observe nature and use it in architecture. Gaudí was such an example. A brilliant architect, a visionary, a "wizard of architecture."
ReplyDeleteHugs and greetings.
There are in fact many areas of science where nature provides a template. As you say, Gaudí was brilliant.
DeleteSeveral Texas Master Naturalists in my chapter are retired entomologists, and I am quite certain they would love to see this beautiful book. I will look for it, too.
ReplyDeleteUn libro genial. Besos.
ReplyDelete