Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East

Dennis Paulson's books include "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West" and "Shorebirds of North America" (both Princeton). Now retired, he was director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound.

• *FrontMatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 5*Preface, pg. 7*Introduction, pg. 9*Natural History of Odonates, pg. 11*Odonate Anatomy, pg. 27*Odonate Colors, pg. 32*Odonate Names, pg. 32*Finding Odonates, pg. 33*Identifying Odonates, pg. 34*Odonate Photography, pg. 36*Odonate Collecting and Collections, pg. 37*Odonate Threats and Conservation, pg. 40*Odonate Research, pg. 42*Odonates in the East, pg. 43*Explanation of Species Accounts, pg. 43*Broad-winged Damsel Family, pg. 49*Spreadwing Family, pg. 59*Pond Damsel Family, pg. 81*Petaltail Family, pg. 165*Darner Family, pg. 167*Clubtail Family, pg. 207*Spiketail Family, pg. 316*Cruiser Family, pg. 325*Emerald Family, pg. 336*Skimmer Family, pg. 399*Species Added to the Western Fauna in 2009 and 2010, pg. 519*Appendix: Dragonfly Publications and Resources, pg. 521*Glossary, pg. 523*Index, pg. 527

"I truly believe that if there is such a thing as the 'must-have' book, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East is IT... It contains all 336 species of Odonata that have been found in eastern North America. Not just dragons or just damsels, [but] all Odonata. That means ONE book for everything. It has excellent full-color photographs that are large enough to see many of coloration and patterns that are important... The species accounts are well-done with reference to similar species when appropriate. The natural history summaries for genera are very good, and valuable information for any ode enthusiast."--Mark O'Brien, Michigan Odonotes blog "This is a beautiful book, a joy to hold and to look at. Although it is a paperback, it is printed on sturdy glossy paper that will hold up well in the field... [I] recommend it as an essential field guide to the dragonflies."--Devorah Bennu, GrrlScientist blog "This is an excellent landmark field guide that belongs in every naturalist's collection."--Donna Schulman, 10,000 Birds "[A] terrific volume that will be very popular among odonate enthusiasts in the East."--Choice "[T]hese volumes are obviously authoritative, comprehensive and clearly designed with the needs of the naturalist in mind. The photographs are excellent and ... the text makes up for the unavoidable shortcomings of a photo-guide by including full descriptions of each species. Altogether, these two volumes constitute a complete, highly informative and beautifully illustrated guide to the Odonata of North America."--Guy Padfield, UKbutterflies