Mini Book Reviews

_{The Secret World of Slugs and Snails,}

_{by David G. Gordon. Sasquatch Books, Seattle, 2010. 150pp illustrated by Karen Fildes. ISBN 978 1 57061 611 2 £8.00}

David Gordon’s readable book takes a North American perspective on snails and slugs with many interesting facts and anecdotes. For example we are introduced to the jumping slugs of the genus Hemphillia, and the Prophyson taildropper slugs. A chapter entitled “The Seven Wonders of Snaildom” tackles subjects as diverse as the mysteries of slime to how snails sleep. There is also a chapter on how to share our gardens with slugs and snails (and control them).

_{The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating}

_{by Elisabeth T. Bailey.
Green Books, Totness, Devon, 2010. 183pp illustrated by Kathy Bray. ISBN 978 1 900322 91 1 £12.95}

Elizabeth Bailey, unfortunate victim of a paralysing virus, describes how the world of a humble snail became her daily companion. Her simply and beautifully written book describes how entering into the world of the snail enabled her to come to an understanding of her confined place in the world: a highly original, touching and intelligent account.