Melody
Aug 16th 2008, 03:35 AM
Platies & Swordtails (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPlaties-Swordtails-Aquarists-Derek-Lambert%2Fdp%2F0713723688%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1218875175%26sr%3D8-1&tag=canadiansinte-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641)
Derek & Pat Lambert 1995
ISBN 0 7137 2368 8
:thumbup:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/PlatiesSwordtailsLambert.jpg
"What could possibly make a 124 pg book about Platies & Swordtails worth over $400...USED?!" I asked myself when I first saw it on Alibris. The book appears to be your average beginner book at first glance. I had seen it quoted and recommended several times though, so the only conclusion I could come to was that it had to be research intensive. Science papers and reports can cost hundreds of dollars for a lot less pages after all.
Unfortunately, most of us don't have over $400 to spend on a 124 page book, which is what makes the 'Used' option so nice - you can usually find a copy in your price range. Mine was a grand total of $32.75 (including taxes & shipping) on Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPlaties-Swordtails-Aquarists-Derek-Lambert%2Fdp%2F0713723688%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1218875175%26sr%3D8-1&tag=canadiansinte-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641).:smile:
Now that I've received the book, I understand why it is so valued (other than it also becoming more and more rare). Beautiful colour photo's & drawings throughout with a comprehensive collection of individual species information (covering both cultivated strains/varieties and wild Platies & Swordtails), is enough to make it valuable on it's own.
But that's only part of this book! Also included is some of the most detailed information I've seen in a book. Classification, anatomy, natural environment, aquarium environment, stocking, diet, disease, breeding... and all sorts or sub-topics sandwiched in between.
A book doesn't have to be huge to be detailed if the majority of the information is advanced. Although far from expert status, I've been keeping and studying Livebearers for many years and yet I've learned a lot from this book already. It is well written enough that a beginner can also understand it and includes basic information, such as how to choose a private breeder.
A big factor in a book's value for me is in its usefulness as a future reference. That becomes a crucial factor if I pay a lot for it. I'm willing to bet that I'll get $400 worth of use out of this book before I leave the hobby (probably in a hearse). I got $37 worth out of it in 5 minutes flat.
The only minor negative is at the age of 13, some of the information may be outdated. However, the vast majority is still the latest information we have, and most of it will always apply. For example, those 'new' Lyretail Platy's that everyone is going on about? Not so new after all... but I'll let you read about that yourself. :wink:
Thumbs up all around for a book that I had braced myself to be at least somewhat bored with - that certainly wasn't an issue. You won't find this one in my yard sales, now or 20 years from now :NoWay: . An exceptional Livebearer reference that I highly recommend with respect, admiration and appreciation to the late Mr. Lambert and his Mother, Pat.
Availability: Out of print but available used (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPlaties-Swordtails-Aquarists-Derek-Lambert%2Fdp%2F0713723688%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1218875175%26sr%3D8-1&tag=canadiansinte-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641) - don't delay!
Derek & Pat Lambert 1995
ISBN 0 7137 2368 8
:thumbup:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/PlatiesSwordtailsLambert.jpg
"What could possibly make a 124 pg book about Platies & Swordtails worth over $400...USED?!" I asked myself when I first saw it on Alibris. The book appears to be your average beginner book at first glance. I had seen it quoted and recommended several times though, so the only conclusion I could come to was that it had to be research intensive. Science papers and reports can cost hundreds of dollars for a lot less pages after all.
Unfortunately, most of us don't have over $400 to spend on a 124 page book, which is what makes the 'Used' option so nice - you can usually find a copy in your price range. Mine was a grand total of $32.75 (including taxes & shipping) on Amazon (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPlaties-Swordtails-Aquarists-Derek-Lambert%2Fdp%2F0713723688%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1218875175%26sr%3D8-1&tag=canadiansinte-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641).:smile:
Now that I've received the book, I understand why it is so valued (other than it also becoming more and more rare). Beautiful colour photo's & drawings throughout with a comprehensive collection of individual species information (covering both cultivated strains/varieties and wild Platies & Swordtails), is enough to make it valuable on it's own.
But that's only part of this book! Also included is some of the most detailed information I've seen in a book. Classification, anatomy, natural environment, aquarium environment, stocking, diet, disease, breeding... and all sorts or sub-topics sandwiched in between.
A book doesn't have to be huge to be detailed if the majority of the information is advanced. Although far from expert status, I've been keeping and studying Livebearers for many years and yet I've learned a lot from this book already. It is well written enough that a beginner can also understand it and includes basic information, such as how to choose a private breeder.
A big factor in a book's value for me is in its usefulness as a future reference. That becomes a crucial factor if I pay a lot for it. I'm willing to bet that I'll get $400 worth of use out of this book before I leave the hobby (probably in a hearse). I got $37 worth out of it in 5 minutes flat.
The only minor negative is at the age of 13, some of the information may be outdated. However, the vast majority is still the latest information we have, and most of it will always apply. For example, those 'new' Lyretail Platy's that everyone is going on about? Not so new after all... but I'll let you read about that yourself. :wink:
Thumbs up all around for a book that I had braced myself to be at least somewhat bored with - that certainly wasn't an issue. You won't find this one in my yard sales, now or 20 years from now :NoWay: . An exceptional Livebearer reference that I highly recommend with respect, admiration and appreciation to the late Mr. Lambert and his Mother, Pat.
Availability: Out of print but available used (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPlaties-Swordtails-Aquarists-Derek-Lambert%2Fdp%2F0713723688%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks% 26qid%3D1218875175%26sr%3D8-1&tag=canadiansinte-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=15121&creative=330641) - don't delay!