Charles Hood (A Salad Only the Devil Would Eat) brings the nighttime world alive in Nature at Night, sharing an irresistible delight for his subject that is informative, entertaining, and captivating.
The introduction covers topics including the mythical equating of night and evil, the benefits of studying nature after dusk, and even an explanation of why night exists on Earth. Setting the tone for the rest of the book, Hood peppers the introduction with comical asides such as a reference to Dean Martin's "That's Amore" when describing humanity's obsession with the moon and the "constant stream of poo" one might encounter when standing underneath a tree filled with a certain species of bat. Subsequent chapters are accompanied by striking photos and delve into various groups of nocturnal animals (owls, moths, certain cats, monkeys, and fireflies) and environments (desert, forest, and ocean). The final chapter contains a case study of the rainforest, to which Hood brings readers along on an expedition via lush descriptions and minute-by-minute narration.
Hood doesn't just explain the lively world of nighttime nature; he also invites readers to experience it for themselves, writing in second-person address and providing occasional tips, too. For instance, readers "might want to wear gloves, and do wash your hands" afterward if they choose to inspect an owl's regurgitated pellet of mouse bones. Hood's obvious enthusiasm for the profuse life of the night is infectious, and his celebration of "the interesting places, the exciting discoveries, the new connections that scientists (and artists and poets) make every day" will brighten every reader's life--and night. --Dainy Bernstein, freelance reviewer