Gordon Grice (1)

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 show more 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. show less

I bought this book on vacation. I've always thought of it as a vacation book, I have a hard time imagining myself buying it any other time. But in that tiny independent bookstore in Des Moines with my dad, on one of the last days of our vacation, it seemed perfect.

Not on vacation, I almost gave up on this book a few times for being too lightweight. It relies heavily on anecdotes and is clearly meant to be entertaining rather than scholarly, and I resisted for a while before I finally gave show more in.

Now my chief complaint is that I can't recall enough of the anecdotes. This book is full of the kind of stories you'll be looking for opportunities to interject into conversation. Farmers kicked to death by ostriches. How many servicemen were eaten by sharks in WWII. Why hyenas are no laughing matter. Grim conversational gems, to be sure, but fascinating.

As the book progresses, you can tell that Grice's true love are the "gross" animals. Starting somewhere around the snakes, but seriously ramping up when you get into scorpions and spiders, you can almost hear Grice rubbing his hands with glee just behind you. Meanwhile, as he's describing enormous absesses and losses of limb, I'm all but screaming at the book, "But how much time between when they were bitten and when they sought medical help?"

Rigorous, Grice's approach is not. But his love of the subject shows, and that will float you quite a while. Know anyone who thinks humans are precious snowflakes exempt from the food chain? Buy them this book! show less

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 show more book is not illustrated.
Grice is a college professor and an amateur naturalist. show less

A great book for inspiration. Inconsistent in determining the target audience and in the language - alternating for children and adults. It will definitely work as a base for further studies or determining and building a collection.