Biological Control. Ecology and Applications. Heimpel, G. E., and N. J. Mills. 2017. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. x. ii+380 pp. £47.99 (hardcover). ISBN 978‐0‐521‐84514‐4.

The topic seemingly has little to do with conservation biology, yet this is a good reminder that one should not judge a book by its cover. The authors, two eminent practitioners of biological control, synthesise the theory and practice of this vigorous branch of applied entomology from a viewpoint that is unusual but fully justified and relevant for conservation. They state that biological control introductions are “intentional invasions” and should be evaluated as such. This is a refreshingly original take on a much‐discussed area. This discussion occupies half of the book, and half of that is devoted to negative consequences and ecological risk analysis. The scope of biological control, successes, population dynamics, and evolution are also discussed. The third part is about conservation biological control, emphasising that pesticide reduction can also facilitate this important ecosystem service. The reference list, at nearly 100 pages, is excessively long. So many references are not a mark of profound scholarship, but of uncertainty. The illustrations are presented in a uniform style, which is good, but the figures themselves are not always information‐rich. For example, the 3 data points (without variability) on Fig. 9.9 occupy 30% of a full column. There are hardly any drawings and no photos, which is a wasted opportunity. In spite of these imperfections, this book will be useful for postgraduate students but also presents food for thought for managers of protected areas who often have to struggle to control invasive species.

Recovering Lost Species in the Modern Age: Histories of Longing and Belonging. Jørgensen, D. 2019. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, U.S.A. xxii + 234 pp. US$30.00 (paperback). ISBN 978‐0‐262‐53‐781‐0.

Realizing that we have irreversibly lost something is one of the most emotional experiences for human beings. This book narrates how emotions can lead to decisions in conservation, and the authors use the examples of the reintroductions of the beaver (Castor fiber) in Sweden and the muskox (Ovibos moschatus) in Norway and the project that is attempting to resurrect the extinct Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius). The author points out that after humans eradicate a species from an area, the sense of guilt can turn into a moral responsibility to return that species to its place. Losing a species can generate grief, and the desire to reintroduce a species to a region could be based on this rather than on utilitarian or ecological purposes. The role of memory is illustrated by the journey of Bruno, a brown bear (Ursus arctos), that started in Italy as part of a reintroduction project and ended when he was shot in Germany. Bruno was the first brown bear seen in Germany for 170 years but it was killed, argues the author, because nobody remembered that bears belonged there and thus no one longed for their return. I wish a few additional questions were covered. For instance, is there any hope for noniconic species? Can we create a bond with animals that are less attractive to us and save them? Although the book may not provide the full story, the author, a historian, should be praised for focusing on this unusual aspect of conservation.

Into Wild Mongolia. Schaller, G. B. 2020. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, U.S.A. ix+210 pp. US$28.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978‐0‐300‐24617‐9.

Georg Schaller, one of the most widely known and respected vertebrate field zoologist of our time, has been itinerantly visiting Mongolia during the last 25 years, and this slim volume is a collection of his notes taken during visits between 1989 and 2007 and on a brief return in 2018. During this period, Schaller visited various parts of Mongolia, mostly deserts and grasslands, to survey rare mammals, from Gobi bears (Ursus arctos isabellinus) to Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa), and presents his experiences in his familiar, laconic style. The period witnessed profound and chaotic economic changes in the country, due to the waning influence of Russia and the rising influence of China, and the consequences of these changes for conservation are candidly presented. Schaller tries to remain positive—the reader may not share his attitude. Photos, including color plates, illustrate landscapes, animals, and people, although it is not clear why all the color photos included are duplicated in black‐and‐white. Unfortunately, the cover looks like a trophy photo. Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are majestic creatures, and it pained me to see one in such an undignified setting. That photo raises deeper, more unsettling questions, for which the book provides no answers.

Invasive Species and Human Health. Mazza, G., and E. Tricarico, editors. 2018. CABI Invasive Series 10. CABI, Wallingford, UK. xii+185 pp. £85.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978‐1‐78639‐098‐1.

This well‐referenced book highlights the impact of invasive non‐native animals and plants on human health and considers the ways in which different species threaten biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems. Chapter contributors consider both direct effects to human health due to bites, wounds, and disease and indirect effects resulting from changes in ecosystems and the potential socioeconomic impacts caused by invasive species. Case studies are used to illustrate key concepts and the contributors cover a wide range of different animal (terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates) and plant species. The introductory chapter provides a good entry to the topic, considering both local and global strategies to deal with invasive species. Specific topics covered include poisonous and venomous marine species, spiders and scorpions, ticks and dust mites, ants, wasps, moths and other insects, freshwater invertebrates and fish, reptiles and amphibians, and invasive alien plants. There is also a chapter on the important role of mosquitoes in the transmission of disease and the impact of climate change on the spread of arthropod disease vectors. Two chapters outline the historical and current roles of birds and mammals as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases—a particularly pertinent topic. The editors and contributors have a wide range of expertise in the topics covered and provide a broad global perspective. This book will be of interest to students, academics, and policy makers working in the field of biosecurity, health, and biological conservation.

Wading Right In: Discovering the Nature of Wetlands. Koning, C. O., and S. M. Ashworth. 2019. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, USA. x +264 pp. US$30.00 (paperback). ISBN 978‐0‐226‐55435‐8.

Through stories of scientists that work on wetlands, the authors of this book introduce readers to the beauty of wetlands. Humans protect only what they know and love, but for the public, some wetlands are not the most pleasant and idyllic places. As demonstrated in the stories of the book, when people get to know wetlands and understand their oddity and importance, they feel an urge to conserve them. This is the function of the book. The reader is immersed in stories and adventures of field biologists who work in wetlands and learns about the biology and complex dynamics of these unique habitats in a simple and engaging way. The book teaches the different characteristics of wetlands, their functions, such as purifying water, sequestering carbon, and flood and storm‐surge protection, and about some wetlands types that one might not recognize as such. In the last two chapters, readers learn about wetland restoration and future challenges to wetlands conservation. Although covering only North American wetlands, the book will be of interest to people from all continents because many wetland types are widely distributed and others have similar characteristics with the ones described. As a young ecologist starting my career and field work, it was a pleasure to read this book. Moreover, in this pandemic period, when some of us face lockdowns and cannot proceed with field work, this book offers a substitute for the amazing feelings of working in the field.