Product Description
Winner, category of Biological Sciences, 1999 Professional/Scholarly Publishing Annual Awards Competition presented by the Association of American Publishers, Inc.

Certain insects and animals such as bees, birds, bats, fish, and dolphins possess senses that lie far beyond the realm of human experience. Examples include echolocation, internal navigation systems, and systems based on bioelectricity. In this book Howard C. Hughes tells the story of these "exotic" senses. He tells not only what has been discovered but how it was discovered—including historical misinterpretations of animal perception that we now view with amusement.

The book is divided into four parts: biosonar, biological compasses, electroperception, and chemical communication. Although it is filled with fascinating descriptions of animal sensitivities—the sonar system of a bat, for example, rivals that of the most sophisticated human-made devices—the author's goal is to explain the anatomical and physiological principles that underlie them. Knowledge of these mechanisms has practical applications in areas as diverse as marine navigation, the biomedical sciences, and nontoxic pest control. It can also help us to obtain a deeper understanding of more familiar sensory systems and the brain in general. Written in an entertaining, accessible style, the book recounts a tale of wonder that continues today—for who knows what sensory marvels still await discovery or what kind of creatures will provide the insights?

Winner of the 1999 AAP/PSP award in the category of Biological Sciences, granted by the Professional/Scholary Reference Division of the Association of American Publishers.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 4 reviews)

Good, but not what I expected.

I was hoping for an overview of dozens of sensory systems in use in the world today. In that I was disappointed, because the book only covers something like 5 of them. By contrast my Encyclopedia Britannica has a better overview of sensoria under 'senses'.

On the other hand, those senses that are covered are covered in considerably more depth than I was expecting, and were an enjoyable read. Descriptions of the neurobiology of how the various senses process input were particularly welcome.
August 08, 2004

Very interesting and educational book

Good reading for those who loves animals,navigation,sensing,
biology,physics or nature.
December 06, 2001

an intriguing read...

how do bats find their way in the dark? how do fish and birds experience or sense the world around them? echolocation, bioelectricity and internal navigation systems are some of the sensory cabilities discussed in this interesting book
November 15, 2000

Good subject, bad execution

This book is about sensory modalities, like a bat's sonar, which humans do not have. Ever since I read Nagel's What is it like to be a Bat as a wee lad, I have wondered that very thing. So you would think I would have loved this book. You might think so, but you woul be wrong.

Though I am very interested in the subject this review covers (hence the 2-stars) I could not finish the book because of the chatty, faux-chummy style. I compleatly support the idea that science writing does not have to be dry and jargon-heavy but there is no need for a forced imitation of an informal discusion.

I may skim though the rest, but every time I open the book I want to send the author Strunk and White.
January 13, 2000

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