Spiders Learn to love them

Spiders: Learn to love them

An introduction to the hairy, but not so scary, creatures that share our homes and gardens, and a personal account of overcoming arachnophobia and how any arachnophobe can do the same.

Spiders are everywhere. No matter how clean, how stark, how sterile your home, the spiders will come. Spiderlings will balloon in and wait for the insects that will appear. Adult spiders will walk in. As you destroy one, another will take its place. Spiders are like that.

'Yet again I was screaming in my sleep.' When nightmares about spiders started ruining her life, Lynne Kelly decided that the cure for her fear was knowledge- and so began her journey from arachnophobia to obsessive arachnophile.

Spiders: Learn to love them is the perfect introduction to the creatures that share out homes and gardens. Answering questions like: 'How do spiders build webs?', 'Is the daddy long-legs the most venomous spider in the world?', 'Is arachnid romance really so cutthroat?', Lynne guides us through the myth and the mystery that surrounds spiders, finally looking at the dreaded bite itself.

The book also features everything an amateur arachnophile needs:
- an illustrated guide to identifying webs
- a list of useful spider-watching equipment
- observation sheets and
- close-up colour photographs.

By observing and studying spiders in the world around her, and learning from experts, Lynne came to respect and love these misunderstood animals- showing arachnophobes that they too can overcome the fear. Be introduced to the surprisingly dramatic lives of Legless, Erio, Annie, Tio and Theresa, the wolf spider that cured Lynne's phobia.

Lynne Kelly is a science writer who is fascinated by all aspects of the natural world. With degrees in engineering, computing and education, Lynne spend many years teaching mathematics and science. Lynne is also the author of two popular science books for Allen and Unwin: The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal and Crocodile. She lives with her husband on a bush block outside Melbourne.

Review: A boarderline arachnophile, this book was actually very helpful in overcoming my fears. I would recommend that every household should carry a copy of this for education and appreciate of how useful spiders are.

Spiders: Learn to love them
Allen and Unwin
Author: Lynne Kelly
ISBN: 9781741751796Price: $29.95