Although very few spiders are dangerous to humans, the group as a whole still provokes fear and loathing among many people. Spiders of the World describes these intriguing creatures with their highly individual life styles, their variety, and their beauty in a thought-provoking manner.

The opening chapters on the structure of spiders and their relationships to each other and to invertebrates in general provide, in a very readable form, sufficient background for an appreciation of the subsequent chapters on behavior. Spiders' elaborate courtship rituals, mating, life histories, and many adaptations for catching prey and feeding are described using examples from all over the world. Their astonishing defense mechanisms, particularly mimicry and camouflage, are also discussed.

Spiders of the World provides an excellent source to the habits and diversity of these unique creatures. The authors present the recent information on the subject, and the text is generously illustrated with line drawings, maps, and color and black-and-white photographs from the authors' one-of-a-kind collection.