Book Summary and Reviews of Alien Worlds by Steve Nicholls

Alien Worlds by Steve Nicholls

Alien Worlds

How Insects Conquered the Earth, and Why Their Fate Will Determine Our Future

by Steve Nicholls

  • Critics' Consensus (5):
  • Published:
  • Aug 2023, 496 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A beautifully illustrated journey into the hidden realm of insects

Life on Earth depends on the busy activities of insects, but global populations of these teeming creatures are currently under threat, with grave consequences for us all. Alien Worlds presents insects and other arthropods as you have never seen them before, explaining how they conquered the planet and why there are so many of them, and shedding light on the evolutionary marvels that enabled them to thrive. Blending glorious imagery with entertaining and informative science writing, this book takes you inside the hidden realm of insects and reveals why their fate carries profound implications for our own.

  • Spectacular photos provide a rare, up-close look at the alien worlds of insects
  • Sheds light on the origins and wondrous diversity of insects
  • Discusses how insects first took to the air and colonised the far corners of our planet
  • Explores the extraordinary sensory world of insects
  • Explains the remarkable success of social insects, from termites and ants to bees and wasps

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"A sharp, pertinent exploration of the bugs that rule the Earth... . Among countless other interesting facts, readers will soak up vivid details of carnivorous plants and learn about insects' ability to jump great distances or walk on water. They will also enjoy the generous selection of beautiful, occasionally gruesome photographs spread throughout the text." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Surprises abound, and gorgeous color photos provide intimate views of the species discussed. The result is an eye-popping tour of the weird and wild world of bugs." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Readers will likely be engrossed by this book's details and the colors showcased in its breathtaking photographs and illustrations, which may also be unnerving to some. An essential addition for academic libraries and natural sciences collections." —Library Journal (starred review)

"An engrossing and fabulously illustrated celebration of the wonderfully weird world of the insects." ―Dave Goulson, author of Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse

"Steve Nicholls takes us on a captivating journey of discovery into the world of insects and other joint-legged animals. Profusely illustrated, this book is a treasure trove for the eyes as well as the mind." ―Stephen Buchmann, author of What a Bee Knows

This information about Alien Worlds was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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Author Information

Steve Nicholls

Steve Nicholls is an Emmy Award–winning producer and director of acclaimed wildlife documentaries such as Appalachia: The Endless Forest. A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, he is the author of Flowers of the Field: A Secret History of Meadow, Moor and Wood and Paradise Found: Nature in America at the Time of Discovery.

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