More than a coffee-table book

The pleasant surprise here is the text, a marvelous account of how birds evolved and how they fit into their niches in a wide range of environments. The pictures are both beautiful and detailed, as you'd expect. I especially like the arrays of small images, comparing the beaks, feathers, etc., of many species. One quibble is that the title is a bit grandiose, as most of the photos come from five or so areas: France, Hokkaido, Antarctica, northern Africa, Peru. But those are enough to illustrate the diversity described by Baran-Marescot and to make the book a rewarding read.

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