A wonderful introduction to the diversity of marine shells and the hobby of collecting them... an excellent place to start learning about seashells and their classification. -- American Reference Books Annual Great gift book for beachcombers and seashell collectors. Highly recommended as a book to be used rather than merely perused. -- E-Streams Guide to the Seashells of the World is a practical identification guide that covers a wide range of shells from all parts of the world. The book combines comprehensive and informative text with 1,200 color illustrations, focusing on the shells themselves rather than on the marine creatures that once inhabited them. An introductory section covers mollusks and their classification, terminology and collection, along with conservation issues and an invaluable identification key. The main section is the identification guide to 1,200 species in precise detail and clarity. The description of each species is accompanied on the same page with an easy-to-use identification key and color illustration. The specific details for each entry include: Detailed color picture of the shell Shell size Distribution and locations Color and texture Defining characteristics. Guide to the Seashells of the World is an ideal reference for shell aficionados.