Chris Alice Kratzer has done it again! Following on the heels of her vaunted works on social wasps, and cicadas, Kratzer has proven anew that she is the champion of the underdog, the under-appreciated, the misunderstood, the ofttimes despised members of the great and glorious world of nature.
Learn about widow spiders in a way that you have never done before and come away with admiration and respect for these maligned creatures.
The format of the book is paradigmatic Kratzer, her style immediately recognizable, and the standard of excellence she sets is second to none.
The book begins with an impressive overview of widow spiders and their role in a healthy, fully-functioning ecosystem, written with scientific precision yet laced with snippets of wry humour to make even the most straight-laced arachnologist crack a smile.
If ever a book was aimed at both the specialist and the layman this is it.
Perhaps, like me, you have marvelled at the precision and the quality of the artwork; lucky for us Kratzer dedicates a section to explaining in detail how it is done. Further to reading the book I even found a You Tube video where she goes through it step by step.
You will learn about the internal anatomy of these creatures, their external anatomy, food, web building, reproduction, their potential for alleviating human suffering as scientists unlock secrets of potential pharmacology, and sadly, the threats we humans pose to them.
The comprehensive glossary is organized in the most pleasing and practical manner. Rather than an alphabetic list of all the terms it is subdivided by topic - General Terms, Ecological Terms, Anatomical Terms - and so on. The extensive bibliography is organized in similar fashion so that the reader can quickly zero in on the topic of interest - What Are Widow Spiders, Why Spiders Bite, General First Aid for Spider Bites, Antivenom - and so it goes.
I am an unabashed fan of Chris Alice Kratzer and appreciate her books immensely. I think that barely a day went by this summer when I did not refer to The Social Wasps of North America. Success breeds on success, excellence follows excellence.
There are other unsung heroes of the living world waiting for her special treatment - Gastropods, Orthoptera, Hemiptera......just sayin'!
Widow Spiders of the World merits my unconditional, wholehearted, sincere seal of approval. Be sure to get your copy today!
Widow Spiders of the World - Owlfly Publishing
Chris Alice Kratzer
Paperback - 176 pages - 250 full colour illustrations - 43 full colour plates - ISBN 9781737892755
6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)
Publishing date: 31 October, 2026
That’s a great book review you’ve written about these spiders, David. I’m not familiar with them.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
I thought that it exist only one species of widow spiders...I was wrong !
ReplyDeleteHope never have an enconter with them ;)
I'm not afraid of spider...sometime they manage to come into my house...They are essencial...Perfect to catch mousticos !
Have a cozy weekend !
Merci pour la visite...même à 5h du mat !
Anna
Spiders -- they tend to flourish at the cottage. This book has gorgeous illustrations.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to make good friends with them!
DeleteI love spiders, never harm them. I don't really understand why people are so afraid of these tiny creatures. Not seen any of these books here in Western Australia.
ReplyDeleteI think that for some arachnophobia is a clinical condition, but for others it is irrational and can be overcome.
DeleteI didn't know there were so many widow species. This looks like an excellent guide. Have they don't a more general guide to spiders and other arachnids?
ReplyDeleteThis is the only spider book from Owlfly Publishing, but in recent years Princeton University Press has produced “Spiders of North America”, “Spiders of the World”, and “The Lives of Spiders.” All are excellent.
DeleteThank you for another splendid book review. Spiders are fascinating creatures.
ReplyDelete"Dangerous spiders" are misunderstood? That made me smile, but I nonetheless accept it. Of course, humans are the most dangerous creatures of all.
ReplyDeleteI just can't like spiders...they scare me :-((
ReplyDeleteI am sure you would find little jumping spiders cute, Angie.
DeleteKiitos kirjaesittelystä, kyseessä on ilmeisesti huikea teos leskihämähäkeistä.
ReplyDeleteTietämykseni karttuisi varmasti valtavasti, jos etsisin tuon kirjan käsiini ja tutustuin siihen.
Meillä kotona on hämähäkkejä sisällä huoneissa, eikä se haittaa. Olkoot vain.
It’s a good idea to recognize spiders because some are dangerous and most others are harmless, unless of course you are a very small creature.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t know that so many types of widow spiders existed.
ReplyDeleteI find spiders fascinating and am not afraid of them, I can’t understand why people are afraid of spiders.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, David.
All the best, Irm
I don't know widow spiders, but I otherwise appreciate spiders very much and admire their skillful web weaving. We never kill spiders indoors. Surely a very interesting book again! Happy Father's Day, David (for us in Finland, Father's Day is tomorrow)
ReplyDeleteI am happy to be part of a Finnish celebration, Saila.
DeleteA fascinating subject and to know how they work these spiders is good, David. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that spiders aren't my favourite creatures, but I do find them fascinating! Your enthusiasm for this book is nice, David. I especially like that the author pays attention to creatures that are so often feared or misunderstood. And the illustrations look wonderful! Perhaps I should learn a little more about spiders before deciding how I feel about them.
ReplyDeleteAnd like all other parts of an ecosystem they are vital, Aritha.
DeleteWhat a wonderful review. I love how it highlights the important role widow spiders play in our ecosystems while challenging the fear. I am not a big fan of spiders but appreciate them a bit more now :)
ReplyDeleteI find spiders rather beautiful. I guess I became more interested in them when I started photographing insects. I stopped being afraid of them and other insects. Once a person studies them a bit they understand how essential they are to our world.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful book.
In our naturalist group, people tend to focus on their chief interest in nature. Melanie, in our group, is known widely as the Spider Lady. I think Melanie would love this book, with its focus on both scientific knowledge and wry humor. I shall send her a link to your wonderful review of it.
ReplyDeleteI am sure Melanie will enjoy the book.
DeleteYou know I'm a shallow person. Black Widow means one thing and one thing only to me. Natasha Romanoff!
ReplyDeleteAnd I had to google Natasha Romanoff to find out who she is!
DeleteEin Buch über Spinnen ist mit Sicherheit sehr interessant etwas über die kleinen
ReplyDeleteKrabbeltiere zu erfahren.
You do find the most interesting books to review. This one sounds like another "must have."
ReplyDeleteDavid, you have a wonderful gift for making your enthusiasm contagious. I never expected to find myself curious about a book on widow spiders, but your review has certainly opened that door! Thank you for introducing us to an author who helps misunderstood creatures get a fair hearing, and for reminding us how much there is to appreciate when we look a little closer. Before I go, I want to say a special thank you for your comment on my recent post, Birds - Skies - Ships - Fall Edition. After posting last Saturday, and linking up with Saturday’s Critters, over the remainder of the day I noticed a few comments coming in. On Sunday morning I found your comment and, honestly, it made my day! You write wonderful comments. Thank you, Thank you! Lastly, I hope you loved the election results in America as much as I did. OMG, The People have renounced the idiot felon! Best regards to you and yours from Seattle and have a happy weekend. John PS I recommend linking up your post with Saturday’s Critters today.
ReplyDeleteYou are no slouch in the comments department yourself, John.
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