Product Description

Natural Cuba is the first publication to extensively document the natural history of the Caribbean's largest, most diverse tropical island and archipelago. Cuba's remarkable number of endemic species-including the world's smallest bird, the bee hummingbird; minute frogs and boas; magnificent painted land snails; rare butterflies and orchids--contribute to the importance and beauty of Cuba and her rich fauna and flora depicted here. Bilingual parallel text throughout; richly illustrated with 112 color photographs, two maps and four illustrations; includes index and scientific names.

En español - Cuba natural es la primera publicación que documenta extensivamente la historia natural de la isla y archipiélago tropical más grande y diverso del Caribe. El gran número de especies endémicas cubanas (parte de las cuales aparece retratada aquí), incluye al zunzuncito, el ave más pequeña del mundo; boas y ranas diminutas; caracoles terrestres de increíble colorido; y mariposas y orquídeas muy raras--contribuyen a la importancia y belleza de la isla. Texto bilingüe; 112 fotografías; 4 láminas; 2 mapas, índice y nombres científicos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71017 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03
• Original language: Spanish
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

MIAMI HERALD/El Nuevo Herald, December 1, 1996
Naturally, it was much needed--a work that gathered, for posterity, the diverse Cuban flora and fauna, one warning what could be lost in the future, if not preserved in the present. Natural Cuba/Cuba natural, written by Cuban biologist Alfonso Silva Lee, is the latest product of an editorial house based in St. Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to documenting the natural history of the Americas. "What we hope from this book is that it will create an awareness of the island's wonderful natural legacy, and of the fact that it must be protected," said the editor from St. Paul. "This does not mean that Cuba cannot develop, but this has to be done with great care."

CITYPAGES - Minneapolis/St Paul, Best Bet, December 30, 1997
I didn't know this, but it's possible to write books about Cuba that do not use the phrases "missile crisis" or "CIA assassination plot." The only crises in naturalist Silva Lee's book Natural Cuba/Cuba natural (Pangaea) are environmental; apparently Cuba used to have an extensive mammal population, which became extinct about the time our special species of mammals appeared. His book is a thorough natural history filled with the wonderful pictures you'd expect in such a tome. Who knew snails could be so beautiful?

Michael E. Soulé, founder, Society for Conservation Biology and author
First of its kind for Cuba, this book is full of eloquent jewels-historical, cultural, literary, and biological. Moreover, the writing is not only authoritative, it is positively felicitous. A joy to read. Anyone interested in knowing and saving wild Cuba should start here.

Customer Reviews

Reading my way bck to Cuba
I left Cuba 40 years ago and reading Cuba Natural has brought me memories that were buried by time and distance. The bilingual approach helped me identify the flora and fauna of Cuba as it relates to names I only knew in English. The book is extremely entertaining and well written and I recommend it to anyone interested in the animals, and plants in the Cuba.

The best book on Cuba's wildlife
This is a fun well made book that anyone can read and apresiate. It's in spanish & english half & half. The pictures that are in the book are mind blowing. The author Silva Lee who is also the fotographer seems to have a divine touch with a camara becouse some of the pictures in this book are godly. I was given this book as a gift when it came out three years ago. I still don't grow tired of looking at the picture. If you like cuba and/or are from cuba this is a must have.