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Field guides such as this can have enormous impact on the field of herpetology, as evidenced in North America by those written by Conant (1958) and Stebbins (1966). Compact sources of information, these kinds of books make information readily accessible for professionals and amateurs alike. More importantly, scientifically sound field guides promote scientific inquiry by delineating geographic and taxonomic questions. Branch's original Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa (1988) was one of those important guides that allowed nonspecialists, really for the first time, a solid appreciation for the state of reptile systematics and distribution in southern Africa. The revised and updated guide, rewritten to address the great increase from 397 to 480 species, continues this extremely important contribution.
Having said that this is an important contribution, I am going to make a few minor criticisms. Book reviews never make...