Basic reference books

[George Sims]

I have ordered several books, seemingly for general audiences, but wonder if there are standard reference books for novices interested in behavior, morphology, etc.
At this point, I’m not interested in raising/keeping them—just want a good grounding in cephalopod knowledge.
Any suggestions?

By the way, the books I have on hand are:
* The 1973 Cousteau Book, which I read 45 years ago
* Montgomery The Soul of an Octopus, which I am just finishing

Yet to read:
* Godfrey-Smith Other Minds
* Courage Octopus! The Most Mysterious Creature in the Sea
* Mather, et al. Octopus: The Ocean's Intelligent Invertebrate

 

[tonmo]

Here's a standard reference book:

Cephalopods: A World Guide (Book)

book review for Cephalopods: A World Guide

tonmo.com

and this:

Amazon.com: Cephalopod Behaviour (9780521645836): Hanlon, Roger T.: Books

Amazon.com: Cephalopod Behaviour (9780521645836): Hanlon, Roger T.: Books

amzn.to

 

[George Sims]

Thanks. Ordered the suggested book and one other by Hanlon. The World Guide is a budget-breaker right now.

 

[DWhatley]

Sadly, Normans's Cephalopods World Guide is out of print. All of us wish it would be updated but it does not appear to be happening. I do suggest looking with a general Google scan from time to time to locate one for something reasonable. The existing book is a must have if you are going to try to identify an octopus or find a short description and basic biologic facts of known animals but more animals have been described since 2003.

 

[George Sims]

Denise,
Thanks. Looks like any copy I can find is about $350. A bit steep for me.

 

[tonmo]

 

[DWhatley]

I was lucky to find mine at $35ish many years ago but even at that time it was typically running around $65. The current $350 is absurd. Amazon does have a copy for $200 ish but that is still out of line.

I found a few used copies on AbeBooks for $130ish but still think about half that should be obtainable.

 

[George Sims]

I’ve got BOTH hands on that bankroll. I’ve got SIX more reasonably-priced octopus books waiting by my bedside to be read before I start worrying about that one. Maybe it’s in the university library!

 

[DWhatley]

Unfortunately, it is not the kind of book you read front to back and are done with. It is a reference book that is useful for identifying octopuses (with some squid images and descriptions). Definitely no hurry to purchase but worth keeping an eye out for from time to time.

 

[George Sims]

I hope TONMO gets a commission from Amazon. I just ordered Beyond Extinction. No senior citizen or veteran discount, apparently!

 

[DWhatley]

At one time there was a reference link we could use to give TONMO a credit but I don't know if it is still active. @tonmo ?

 

[tonmo]

hmm, well if you visit Amazon through this link, then browse and purchase from there, I believe I get credit. Whenever I post a link to Amazon, I use my tag, so if you get to Amazon via TONMO, it should work.

Amazon.com : octopus

 

[George Sims]

hmm, well if you visit Amazon through this link, then browse and purchase from there, I believe I get credit. Whenever I post a link to Amazon, I use my tag, so if you get to Amazon via TONMO, it should work.

Amazon.com : octopus

Tony,
If that is the link which gives TONMO a small donation, I’m already using it to support a homeless charity I worked with in Wyoming. Thanks.

 

[tonmo]

I'm seeing the results. Thank you! 🙏

 

[George Sims]

Here's a standard reference book:

Cephalopods: A World Guide (Book)

book review for Cephalopods: A World Guide

tonmo.com

and this:

Amazon.com: Cephalopod Behaviour (9780521645836): Hanlon, Roger T.: Books

Amazon.com: Cephalopod Behaviour (9780521645836): Hanlon, Roger T.: Books

amzn.to

Can’t say enough about the excellent Hanlon/Messenger Cephalopod Behaviour. Best source I’ve yet found!!!