The Dangerous World of Butterflies

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The Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists
Author Peter Laufer
Cover artist Georgiana Goodwin
Series Peter Laufer's untitled animal trilogy
Subject Butterflies
Publisher Lyons Press
Publication date
 5 May 2009
Media type Print (Hardcover, paperback)
Pages 288
ISBN 978-1-59921-555-6
OCLC 244418059
595.78/9/075
LC Class QL542 .L38 2009
Followed by Forbidden Creatures

The Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists is a 2009 book by Doctor of Philosophy Peter Laufer. It is the first book in his untitled animal trilogy, preceding Forbidden Creatures in 2010 and No Animals Were Harmed in 2011. The book explores the presence of the butterfly in the fields of organized crime, ecological devastation, species depletion, natural history museum integrity, and chaos theory.

Doctor of Philosophy Postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities in many countries

A Doctor of Philosophy is the highest university degree that is conferred after a course of study by universities in most English-speaking countries. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. As an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are usually required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a thesis or dissertation, and defend their work against experts in the field. The completion of a PhD is often a requirement for employment as a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields. Individuals who have earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree may, in many jurisdictions, use the title Doctor or, in non-English-speaking countries, variants such as "Dr. phil." with their name, although the proper etiquette associated with this usage may also be subject to the professional ethics of their own scholarly field, culture, or society. Those who teach at universities or work in academic, educational, or research fields are usually addressed by this title "professionally and socially in a salutation or conversation." Alternatively, holders may use post-nominal letters such as "Ph.D.", "PhD", or "DPhil". It is, however, considered incorrect to use both the title and post-nominals at the same time.

Peter Laufer is an independent American journalist, broadcaster and documentary filmmaker working in traditional and new media. He is the James Wallace Chair in Journalism at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

<i>Forbidden Creatures</i> book by Peter Laufer

Forbidden Creatures: Inside the World of Animal Smuggling and Exotic Pets is a 2010 book by Doctor of Philosophy Peter Laufer. It is the second book in his untitled animal trilogy, following The Dangerous World of Butterflies in 2009 and preceding No Animals Were Harmed in 2011. The book explores the lives of those that either own exotic animals or have been captured for illegally smuggling them, with a strong focus on Travis, the chimpanzee who attacked Charla Nash in 2009.

Contents

Overview

The Dangerous World of Butterflies has Laufer talking to butterfly experts, both professional and amateur, discussing the art, conservation, breeding, development, wing colors, and the meaning of its fascination for humans of the butterfly. He explores the various mysteries of lepidopterology, such as the process of metamorphosis. In addition, he discovers controversy in commercial butterfly breeding and discovers vast criminal operations involving the mass poaching and smuggling of butterflies.

Lepidopterology scientific study of moths and butterflies

Lepidopterology, is a branch of entomology concerning the scientific study of moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies. Someone that studies in this field is a lepidopterist or, archaically, an aurelian.

Critical reception

Kirkus Reviews had a mixed review of the book, saying that it was "charming but slightly scattershot" and "flawed but pleasing". [1]

<i>Kirkus Reviews</i> American semi-monthly book review magazine founded by Virginia Kirkus in 1933, independent to 1970

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City.

The Seattle Times compared The Dangerous World of Butterflies to The Orchid Thief , praising both and calling them "entertaining" and "enlightening". [2]

<i>The Seattle Times</i> newspaper

The Seattle Times is a daily newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, United States. It has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region.

<i>The Orchid Thief</i> book by Susan Orlean

The Orchid Thief is a 1998 non-fiction book by American journalist Susan Orlean.

Publishers Weekly said that The Dangerous World of Butterflies delivered an "absorbing science lesson" in what the reviewer called "casual prose". [3]

<i>Publishers Weekly</i>

Publishers Weekly (PW) is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of Book Publishing and Bookselling". With 51 issues a year, the emphasis today is on book reviews.

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References

  1. ↑ "THE DANGEROUS WORLD OF BUTTERFLIES by Peter Laufer | Kirkus Book Reviews". 15 April 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Wanner, Irene. "Books | "Dangerous World of Butterflies": A threatened universe of dazzling creatures". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Nonfiction Review: The Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture of Criminals, Collectors, and Conservationists". Publishers Weekly. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
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