The Natural History of Wales : 66

From the peaks of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons to the spectacularly beautiful Pembrokeshire coast and the less well-known but equally fascinating areas of mid-Wales, William Condry brings the expertise of an acute observer to every corner of this largely mountainous land. Describing each kind of terrain in turn, Condry explores corries, crags and summits; moorlands, mires and conifers; rivers, lakes and marshes; native woodlands; limestone flora; farmlands, villages and estates; the industrial scene; and perhaps most striking of all, the coast with its polders, peatlands, beaches, dunes, estuaries, cliffs, headlands and islands. Within each area, he brings a wealth of experience to bear on the region's wildlife—flowering plants and ferns, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians—always with proper respect for conservation of important rarities such as the Snowdon lily and the red kite. Affectionate and thoroughly informative, full of insights into local history and always a delight to read, this is a magnificent introduction to Wales and its countryside.