Books noted with interest

Abstract

news and update ISSN 1948‐6596 books noted with interest The World’s beaches: A global guide to The theory of ecology Samuel M. Scheiner & Michael R. Willig (eds.) the science of the shoreline Orrin H. Pilkey, William J. Neal, James Andrew Graham Cooper & Joseph T. Kelley 2011, University of California Press, 302 pp. $70.00/£48.95 (Hardback), US $29.95/£20.95 (Paperback) ISBN: 9780520268715 / 9780520268722 http://www.ucpress.edu/ Ever wonder whether you chose the wrong study system? Engagingly written and with arresting illustrations, the authors provoke jealousy of their research area with a comprehensive account of coastal geology and a global classification of beach environments. Relatively little attention is given to the biota, with characteristic plants and animals covered in short sections, though with a longer consideration of what can be learnt from sea‐ shells. There are no in‐text references but the rec‐ ommended further reading would make this an ideal primer for students or those beginning shoreline‐related work. Otherwise it’s perfect holi‐ day reading for the beach. 2011, The University of Chicago Press, 416 pp. £120.00 (Hardback), $40.00 (Paperback) ISBN: 9780226736853 / 9780226736860 http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ The editors have assembled a Who’s Who of theo‐ retical ecologists to consider the state of the field’s big ideas. Much content will directly appeal to biogeographers, including chapters on meta‐ communities, the Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography, global change and biogeographical gradients, as well as stressing linkages among ar‐ eas where ideas have apparently developed inde‐ pendently. Each chapter opens with an instructive diagram illustrating the connections between theoretical frameworks, further stressing the con‐ tinuity of the field and resolving the broader pic‐ tures. It could form the spine of a graduate ecol‐ ogy course or a valuable refresher for even the most experienced reader. Markus Eichhorn Book Review Editor. e‐mail: Markus.Eichhorn@nottingham.ac.uk Editorial policy for book reviews Frontiers of Biogeography will publish in‐depth reviews of recently published books (typically less than one year old) on biogeography or of interest to biogeographers, alongside a ‘Noted with Interest’ section provi‐ ding brief details of new publications. Authors, editors or third parties are invited to suggest books for re‐ view to the Book Review Editor, Dr Markus Eichhorn, School of Biology, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom; telephone ++44 (0)115 951 3214; e‐mail markus.eichhorn@nottingham.ac.uk. We welcome offers to review books for Frontiers of Biogeography, but will not accept an offer to review a speci‐ fic book. Anyone wishing to review books should send a brief curriculum vitae, description of competencies, and a statement of reviewing interests to the Book Review Editor. Reviews should be in an essay style, ex‐ pressing an opinion about the value of the book, its focus and breadth, setting it in the context of recent developments within the field of study. Textbook reviews should consider their utility as resources for tea‐ ching and learning. Avoid describing the book chapter by chapter or listing typographical errors. The length should normally be 1000 words (1500 words for joint reviews of related texts) including a maximum 10 refe‐ rences. Authors may suggest a short heading for the review, followed by the title of the book(s), the aut‐ hors/editors, publisher, publication date, price, hbk/pbk, pages, ISBN and website (where available). Figures or tables will not ordinarily be included. Authors of reviews must verify that they have not offered (and will not offer) a review of the same book to another journal, and must declare any potential conflict of interest that might interfere with their objectivity. This may form a basis for editorial decisions and such disclosures may be published. Book reviews will usually go through a light editorial review, though in some circumstan‐ ces also will be considered by one or more referees. © 2011 the authors; journal compilation © 2011 The International Biogeography Society — frontiers of biogeography 3.2, 2011