Peter Marren Knihy

From sea squirts to slugs to swallowtails—the third, fabulous, and gorgeously illustrated book in Richard Mabey's series, a companion volume to Flora Britannica and Birds BritannicaA comprehensive look at invertebrates that proves it’s the little things that count, this essential and accessible work on bugs is not a biological guide but a richly illustrated cultural one, seen through the eyes of writers, musicians, artists, and naturalists—from the great Tudor naturalist Thomas Muffet, father of Little Miss Muffet, to Irvine Welsh’s talking tapeworm in Filth —as well as contributions by ordinary men and women who are fascinated by creepy crawlies of all kinds. Structured along a roughly evolving path, the book ranges from simple cell life-forms to spiders, butterflies, and bees, and then back into the water to meet mollusks and "almost-fish." In addition to the fascinating habits of the bug world, the eccentric behavior of the bug obsessives themselves is also included. But of course, the true heroes of the book are the bugs themselves—the nimble-dicks, clock ladies, and coffin-cutters. From the Boring Sponge to the Mermaid’s Glove to the Penis Worm, this rich compendium of bugs is a must not only for naturalists but also for anyone who cares about the crawling and buzzing swarms at their feet.

Mushrooms, the first volume in a major new series of books on British natural history, provides a remarkable insight into the natural and human world of fungi. Written in Marren's inimitable style, it is a refreshingly candid view of the diversity of fungi and our relationship with this intriguing group. It explores topics such as the naming of fungi, their importance in natural ecosystems, fungus forays and our ambivalent attitude to edible fungi, as well as recent efforts to record and conserve vulnerable species. Copiously illustrated with beautiful colour photographs.

The book delves into the historical efforts of Charles Rothschild, who envisioned a network of national nature reserves in Britain to protect wildlife habitats. Co-authored by his daughter, Miriam Rothschild, and a respected natural history writer, it examines the selection process for these reserves and provides a comparison of 182 English sites, highlighting significant changes in their ecological status over the past eighty years. The findings reveal a concerning decline in many areas, underscoring the ongoing challenges in nature conservation.

While the Ghost Orchid offers the toughest challenge of any wild plant, there were fifty more British species Peter had yet to see, having ticked off the first 1,400 rummaging in hedges, slipping down gullies and peering in peat bogs.

The past, present and future of extinction from a world-leading naturalist

Much more than just another field guide or a natural history of butterflies Rainbow Dust explores the ways in which butterflies delight and inspire us all, naturalists and non-naturalists alike.

Britain was a place of conflict in the Dark Ages, between the departure of the Romans and the Norman Conquest. Clashes of allegiance, competition for territory and resources, and intense rivalries among the warlords and kings gave rise to frequent outbreaks of fighting. This was the time of legendary military leaders, like Arthur, Alfred and Canute, and of literally hundreds of battles. In this fascinating book, Peter Marren investigates this confused era of warfare, looks for the reality behind the myths, and uses the techniques of modern scholarship to show how battles were fought in that brutal age, where they were fought, and why.

Published to accompany a BBC2 television series, this is an account, based on archive material and personal recollection, of how Britain's countryside used to be, and how it has altered during the last half-century.

Focusing on the unique flora of Britain and Ireland, this book delves into the biology and ecology of rare plants while highlighting their cultural significance. It emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts and offers insights into how these plants can be protected for future generations.