This is one of those books that is always on my nightstand. It seems that every month I am rereading a chapter or two. For anyone who lives in Ohio and enjoys nature and being outside, this is the book to have. The editorial review by publisher's weekly is ridiculous as Magpie Rising was not written by the same man. Merrill C. Gilfillan was a retired 35-year employee of the Ohio Division of Wildlife and sadly passed away in July of 1996. Someone needs to do their research before posting such a unfair review.

This little gem of a book by Merrill Gilfillan is truly magnificent. He describes the flora and fauna of Ohio in all its variety with simplicity and grace. Reading this book, makes one more appreciative of the wonders of nature around us of which we are all too often unaware. Gilfillan believes that one should be atuned to the rhythm of the seasons as the Indians were--thus the books emphasis on the Indian names for each month. After I was done reading "Moods of the Ohio Moons," I was more cognizant of the fragility of nature and how precious is our natural environment.