JEFF CORWIN'S LIVING ON THE EDGE: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World

Corwin, host of numerous television specials about wildlife, offers commentary on some of his favorite regions and animal inhabitants. He begins with his last bachelor's outing, spending several weeks in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, before his wedding. Corwin planned poorly and didn't think he would need equipment or supplies in this domestic wilderness. However, after one night of nearly freezing to death, he sought shelter in his car and then went to buy a tent. After this inauspicious start, Corwin spent nearly two weeks searching for snakes and reptiles, with only limited success. In his words, "There would be no Gila monsters flowing from their subterranean dens, and the eerie rasping shudder of a rattlesnake's rattle kept silent wherever I searched. Tortoises never ventured from their lairs into the light for me, and tricolor king snakes remained shadowed beyond my reach." Corwin's adventures in other parts of the world, like Tanzania, Costa Rica and Venezuela, are much livelier and more rewarding. Corwin enthusiastically describes the animals, the land and his concerns about protecting natural habitats in various countries. His passion for the wildlife he's studying is so strong that even readers not particularly fond of crocodiles, snakes and other scary creatures will find Corwin's writing captivating. He discusses the sloth—"At just under three feet in body length, and a total weight of around 10 pounds, the three-toed sloth is not very large, but if you're looking for the cutest mammal living in the Neotropics, this guy comes in a close second to the silky anteater." People familiar with Corwin's television specials will savor this book, and other armchair travelers will also find it an enjoyable voyage into exotic locales. (Nov.)

Forecast: National media publicity, Corwin's lecture tour along with his new TV shows this fall should translate into strong initial sales, and the book should have further appeal as a holiday gift.