Short Review: "Marsh Mud and Mummichogs"

 If I wanted to vacation along the Georgia coast, I might take this book with me.  It is a rigorous description of the flora and fauna (on land and in the water) in this area, including which things are poisonous and where they might be found. Very thorough - dense even, like a textbook, from bacteria to alligators to egrets, but with the occasional lyrical observation or recollection. The author is a scientist who studied the area some years ago, and she has noted not only the ecology, but also how that ecology changes as the climate does. She provides an elaborate reference list and  two useful appendices, one on "Where to Go to Enjoy Georgia Coastal Wildlife" (hiking/ birding/ beaches/ nature organizations, etc) and one on  "Methods for Collecting and Inspecting Coastal Biota."

The only thing that might put off the casual reader is the large amount of biology jargon, particularly when the author (Evelyn B. Sherr) lapses into scientific journalese and its relentless passive voice. More pictures would have been helpful as well. Still, it's a text that inspires thought about the myriad lifecycles, shapes, and interlocked lives of living creatures.

I liked it. Four out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book in return for a review. The image above links to the book's Amazon page.