As a former teacher I am generally undeterred by the insipid. An unending accumulation of student papers has caused this effect. This book however is beyond the pale. Hopefully Mr. Cantrell will succeed in future efforts. I wish him good fortune.
Perhaps this comment is unduly harsh. I have read nothing by Mr. Cantrell previously and will seek to do so as the opportunity arises. It is always easier to read than write and so hope for improvement is never unjustified.
The "Horror of the Heights" and "The New Catacomb" are amongst the finest short fiction written by Doyle. "The Man with the Watches" is a pleasant read as is "The Lost Special". It is amazing that one man who thought so little of his fiction and so much of his long and tedious biographies could consistently be not only the founder of the modern detective mystery but the creator of such memorable characters. I recommend this book to all.
A groundbreaking, extremely important and totally boring book. Important for the development of Darwin's theory of evolution but otherwise deserving of a pass. I am sure the research and observations upon nature deserve 5 stars. As an interesting read I give it 2 stars. It contains much more information on birds, insects and turtles that I have ever needed to know.