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not to play favorites or hype one of the other...can any one give the pros or cons on a few books? I was debating ordering the VPI volume II or the complete ball python... im ordering online so i really want to compare and contrast a little. Im more interested in pictures and genetic info than anything but information is always a plus
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myspace.com/414reptiles

Edited on January 5, 2008 at 23:40:01 by PHGinger.

have both, highly recommend both.
ck

thats what i was afraid of lol ... i can only get one at the moment but ill most likely end up with both later on ... i just dont know which one first
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myspace.com/414reptiles

Edited on January 5, 2008 at 23:40:26 by PHGinger.

I have both books and they are both really good for different things. Since you'll be getting them both anyway, I would start with Kev's and then save like mad and get the Barker's book. They compliment each other really well.

thats what im hearing. I plan on buying both its just so hard to decide which one lol
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myspace.com/414reptiles

Edited on January 5, 2008 at 23:40:54 by PHGinger.

I have both and agree that both are fine pubications,however the VPI book is by far the better. The photos alone make it worth the money. It is a bigger more like a Encyclopedia than the complete ball python. Buy both,but buy the VPI title first

I'm sure it's a few years away still, but Kevin is working on putting together a new/updated book...

For immediate genetic information, pictures of morphs along with descriptions, get Kevin's book. It's got excellent basic info, but focuses more on the morphs and genetics. It's got a 101 section on how to do a punnett square and how to understand what you're figuring out with a punnett square.

The Barker's book, however, is WONDERFUL in the amount of information on care, ball python natural history, and loads of information about just the animals themselves. I seriously love my copy of the book. The running joke at work is how I ended up sleeping with it under my pillow for the entire week after I got it because I kept falling asleep while reading it...

You probably will want Kevin's book for the now, and the Barker's book once you can afford it.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

If you are interested in lots of pics and genetics I would also suggest "Designer Morphs" by John Berry. Thats pretty much the content of the whole book. I also have "The Complete Ball Python" and it is overall more informative across the board but does't have as many pics of morphs.
Link

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www.fbballpythons.com

I ordered all 3 with part of a gift card I got for Christmas. The VPI book came last week and I must say I am very impressed. It is written with what I think is a very scientific approach. If you want to know anything it's in there. I am interested in comparing it to Kevin's book and Designer morphs. If I can't find the information I am looking for in one of those books, I figure it probably isn't important.
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

My snakes aren't fat, they're big boned.

Man, things move FAST in this forum. In the Ratsnake forum, no one usually responds until a day or two after we post.

From my end, I've told people that if there is ONE single book that you ever buy as a snake owner, it should be Dave and Tracy's POTW ball book. It is literally STUFFED with info applicable for ANY snake keeper at any level, and well-researched info, at that. One great advantage to POTW, vol. II is that just about everything is cited...in other words, it's not just a bunch of anecdotal stuff. You can see, through their bibliography, where they get their information. The book has a lot of elements that many herpetocultural works have been lacking in, in the past. The Barkers, in my opinion, have really shown us HOW to write a herpetocultural work in the future. The book simply broke A LOT of barriers.

And if there is a SECOND book you should buy, as a snake owner, it should be one that pertains to your species. So, I think the Barker book is a perfect marriage of those two "ideal" books.

DR
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