Diversity of Life: How Nature Really Works - "Daily Telegraph" Talking Science S.

Publisher and industry reviews

UK Kirkus review

This is an interesting book, giving an overview of the whole field of biodiversity, from the reasons why there are so many different species to what we must do to preserve them. However, this is a clear example where the book would be preferable to the tape, since the reader would be able to take it at his or her own pace, and to stop and reflect on what has been said. The narrator, Stefan Buczacki, is a distinguished gardening expert, but not a professional reader. He rattles through Side One at an incredible pace, barely seeming to understand the concepts he describes himself and not allowing the listener any time to take in the details. He slows down in the later tapes, but still not sufficiently to allow the listener time to pause and reflect in the way that could be done when reading a book. Despite the remarks on the cover, this is not non-technical prose and although some of the terminology is explained, it is frustrating for the reader since the delivery is too quick to allow the explanation to sink in before even more layers of terminology and confusion are added. Sometimes the author takes a break from the technical explanations to paint pictures of animal and plant life in previous times, and these are fascinating, but few and far between.Ultimately, listening to these tapes is very frustrating, and I think even scientists would find it easier to read the book. (Kirkus UK)