The Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates

Introduces members of the primate family, from monkeys and humans to whales,looking at their anatomy and physiology

Rowe, who is director of Primate Conservation, Inc., has spent the last 10 years studying and photographing primates around the world. The result of those years is this guide, which is described as "useful for students and primatologists" but not all encompassing. The foreword and introduction are written by Jane Goodall and Ralph Mittermeier, both of whom are well known for their research and conservation efforts regarding primates.

The number of identified species of primates has increased from 180 in 1960 to the 234 that are included in the guide. The book is divided into sections by superfamily, family, and subfamily or genus. Each section has an introductory page describing the superfamily complete with a scale drawing comparing the size of the primate with a five-foot, six-inch human. The species are then arranged alphabetically by Latin name. At least half a page is devoted to each genus, with one or more color photographs, the taxonomy, distinguishing physical characteristics, habitat, diet, life history, locomotion, social structure, and a map that shows the range of the species. The last species listed is Homo sapiens, with a mirror instead of a photograph accompanying the text! A sidebar for each species indicates the conservation status, from critically endangered to lower risk, as determined by one of three national or world organizations. Homo sapiens are considered lower risk by the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. There is also a short glossary, an index, and a bibliography of more than 1,000 items cited in the text, plus a list of popular field guides, books for children, and 13 Web sites.

Some of the books in Jane Goodall's Animal World series have similar information, but Rowe's guide will still find a place in reference collections in school, public, and academic libraries because many humans are interested in their closest living relations.