One Hundred Butterflies

February 1, 2010
As the title clearly suggests, photographer and lepidopterist Feinstein here collects vivid color close-ups of 100 exotic butterflies; each is well documented with the insect's country of origin, species name in Latin, and popular name in English. In several instances, Feinstein includes photographs both of the top and the underside of the insect with patterns of owl eyes, sunsets, and swallowtails. Ancillaries to this pictorial book include several full-page thematic quotations by such writers as Nathaniel Hawthorne ("Happiness is a butterfly"), Melville ("the sins of the caterpillar"), and Tagore ("the butterfly counts not months but moments"). A poem about butterflies written by the photographer is presented along with a short essay by noted butterfly expert Fred Gagnon, who discusses the important roles these insects play in nature and society. Feinstein's photographs have been exhibited at the George Eastman House and the International Center of Photography; his earlier publications include "One Hundred Flowers" and "One Hundred Seashells". VERDICT Suggested for general collections; may also be of interest to entomologists and butterfly enthusiasts.Shauna Frischkorn, Millersville Univ., PA

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.