[.ca] Costa Rican Natural History (ISBN 0226393348)

bang for your buck:
There are so many bad books on the market trying to do what this book does so simply and so well. ...few are written with the same authority and attention to detail that Janzen brings to this text. It could be the best money you spend all trip. And I agree with the other reviewers on the book, "Costa Rica the last Country the Gods Made." It's without question a close second to Janzen's masterpiece on the physical world.

Jam-packed!:
I found this hyper-detailed book to be absolutely invaluable while I was in Costa Rica! A book I found equally indispensable, which I read BEFORE I got there, was "Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made." Both books should more than adequately prepare you for a trip around 1 - 3 weeks.

COMPENDIUM:
At a hefty 800 plus pages (with 174 contributors, no less!), this collection has something for everyone--and manages not to skimp on the essentials or pad itself with filler. Though it would serve well as an introduction, "Costa Rican Natural History" is even better as a companion (especially to my favorite book on the country, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made").

An example for this kind of book.:
I wish every book about the natural history of a country were as thorughly compiled as this one. The only drawback is that it's too hefty and too slack to read in bed or in the hammock - you have to sit upright, but that's a small sacrifice for the great amount of easy accessible information. It's hard to stop reading this fascinating book.

A comprehensive overview of Costa Rican flora and fauna:
In this biological bible of Costa Rica, Janzen leaves no stone unturned. From evolutionary history to weather patterns to animals and trees, he covers all facets of basic natural science. This book is a must for anyone pursuing biological study or ecolgical interest in Costa Rica or anywhere in the New World tropics