Shells

The author has used his own vast experience with shells, plus research on their history and uses, to look at the subject from all angles, resulting in a complete, interesting and attractive book. It is easily read and nicely presented on high-quality paper, and it contains lots of good illustrations throughout . . . it will make an excellent addition to the gemmologist’s bookshelf. * The Journal of Gemmology * Spanning both the history of science and visual culture, this book takes a broad approach to understanding humanity’s fascination with shells: from their use in architecture and jewellery, and their ritual or practical uses as tools and tokens, to the ways they have inspired artists across time. * Apollo * Shells may not be the type of book one expects in Leonardo Reviews. At first sight it is more a (medium sized) coffee table book, beautifully illustrated and containing everything one ever wanted to know about shells (here defined as ""the hard, protective outer cases of mollusks or crustaceans""), from a natural as well as cultural point of view, with chapters on, for instance, the shell makers (a seducingly presented taxonomy of mollusks), the various uses (aesthetic, ritual, religious, economic) of shells, or the changes of shell life in a changing world (here and now, but also there, before and later). It would be very unfair, however, to label this astonishing publication in this vaguely middle-brow way, for Shells is not a publication to merely admire or look at . . . It is a wonderful example of intelligent and attractive vulgarization that touches upon so many different angles, topics, histories, problems and interdisciplinary art and science interactions that it will prove as important for the general reader as it will be useful for any scholar or scientist struggling with the question of valorizing and communicating the essence of her or his research. * Leonardo * Fabio Moretzsohn has crafted a laudable volume on shells and the animals that make them, the mollusks. There is a wealth of data on intriguing aspects of the biology and ecology of mollusks, and detailed yet little-known information on cultural practices involving shells. This book is a must-have in the library of any shell enthusiast! * José H. Leal, PhD, Science Director and Curator, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum * A well-researched and beautifully illustrated introduction to mollusks and their shells. The book takes the reader through the diverse interactions that we humans have with this amazing group of animals. With its broad span of biological, cultural, medicinal, and environmental topics, it is timely and of great general interest. * Rüdiger Bieler, Curator of Invertebrates, Field Museum of Natural History *