Couldn't quite give this a five, but it's a bit better than 4. Wish there were a 10 point system. Fascinating, quick read. ( )

Grice wrote an intriguing book, full of real-life creepiness. He turned his attention to several spider species, rattlesnakes, and pigs among other things. The book is full of obscure and sometimes distasteful details, but Grice manages to draw the reader in with a delightful mix of awe, practicality, and humor. I was completely fascinated despite a considerable ick factor. This book isn’t for the squeamish or anyone disturbed by the brutality of nature. I am profoundly grateful that the book is not illustrated.
Grice is a college professor and an amateur naturalist. ( )

Man, when this guy talks about his poor wife and how she has to deal with all his tarantulas... LOL! Very interesting book. I shall never go outside again without long jeans and boots. ( )

The Red Hourglass is a naturalist's musings on the predatory creatures he has lived his whole life surrounded by. It is one of those 'science' books that doesn't feel weighed down by tedious, excessive details that can deter many people from exploring topics they might not normally read. In fact, it almost feels like you are reading a journal by the author, one where the writer's personality is on display and makes you feel like he is talking to you personally.

That is not to say that there is any lack of information to be found here. Gordon Grice has a wealth of knowledge to offer, but he presents it in way that feels approachable, due in large part because they are his own observations instead of recounts of other people's work. The man's passion is apparent, and it is always a joy to see that in a person's writing.

Alas, if the greatest flaw of a scientist is their tendency to skew facts in their favor, the naturalist's is their tendency to exaggerate. The fish was this big, and the swarm of stag beetles ate the boat, and when we sank a dolphin saved us from the murky, fungal pond water. I admit to raising my eyebrow skeptically while reading some of the stories Grice has to tell, but considering the wondrousness of nature, especially to those who choose to be observant, it might be a fault of my own to question so readily.

Regardless, The Red Hourglass was one of those natural history/science that is both informative and fun to read, and it always makes me happy when I stumble upon a book like this. ( )

It's a tough read if you're bug-phobic, but Grice has a great sense of humor and it's worth letting your skin crawl. ( )